Gigi Graham, the eldest daughter of the Rev. Billy Graham, will speak Feb. 28 at the Gainesville Care Center’s annual fundraising banquet.

The event’s theme, "Leaving a Legacy," reflects both the legacy of the Graham family as well as the 21 years Gainesville Care Center has helped mothers and their babies in Hall County, said the center’s executive director, Ann B. Gainey.

"There were two reasons we selected that theme — one reason, because of the Graham legacy, and Billy and Ruth Graham are leaving a legacy through their children of positive influence," Gainey said. "And the other reason is, this year is Gainesville Care Center’s 21st year of being open, and as we age as a facility we realize that we are actually leaving a legacy for the future of Hall County as well."

This is the primary fundraiser for the center. About 1,000 people are expected to attend, Gainey said. The event also includes a special presentation of two women whose lives were changed through the center. One woman, who had an abortion 34 years ago, received counseling recently through the center. Another girl will tell the story of her pregnancy and bring her baby as well.

"The speakers are always the draw, but two weeks after the banquet, everyone is still talking about the people whose lives have been affected by the Gainesville Care Center," Gainey said.

Graham said her speech will focus on personal stories along with testimony about her relationship with God.

"I’m going to do everything I can to encourage people to give," she said. "But hopefully I can do it in such a way that people will be encouraged to support this group and will be willing to give, not just with their money but with their time and efforts and whatever."