Invitation Wording

[gvillemama]

I work for a small city and last night our mayor, who has some major health issues, resigned. He is going to spend time with his family, which I think is the right thing for him to do. The city council asked me to put together an appreciation dinner for him and his wife (who does a ton for the city). He is a very private man, so I called him and asked and was surprised when he said he would like to have one.

So now I am stuck on the wording of this invitation. Its an appreciation dinner for the two of them. Its most definitely not a celebration and when I search invitation wordings, that's how they all seem to me. I can always do the plain, we are inviting you to an appreciation dinner for the mayor, but that seems so basic. But sometimes, basic is better.....so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[tinatark]

In appreciation for his *** years of service to our city, you are invited to a dinner honoring *** and *** , as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

(technically, you are honoring both of them at a dinner in appreciation for his time as mayor) - not sure if you wanted to acknowledge that he will no longer be mayor.