Hippies and cowboys theme of Feb. 24 P2P fundraiser
Women’s Service Club members Jenna Poindexter, left, Janell Cooper and Amanda Hill presented a check for $16,000 to People to People Director Joe Szeker, right, after last year’s fundraiser. In front are classic board games the club donated for People to People’s Christmas Project.
On Feb. 24 the Women’s Service Club will host its third annual fundraiser for People to People Ministries. Hippies and Cowboys will merge two eras — the hippie movement and the cowboy west.
Guests are encouraged but not required to dress the part in anything from tie-dye shirts and bell-bottoms to cowboy boots and hats. Doors and bar will open at 5 p.m. Dinner and a silent auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. Then there will be dancing to music from the ‘60s through the 2000s from 7:30-11 p.m. with a disc jockey. There also will be a photo booth and raffles.
The nonprofit People to People Ministries has been helping individuals in need in Wayne County since 1978. The organization is an emergency resource for a three- to four-day supply of food, personal hygiene/household cleaning products and pet food. They provide clothing assistance and, in some cases, help with financial issues. People to People also provides referrals to Viola Startzman Clinic to address healthcare concerns.
The organization operates solely on donations to meet the rising needs of the local population, hence the fundraiser.
“We continue to see a growing need for many resources, from greater financial assistance for housing, food and personal care items to various other financial help needs,” said Joe Szeker, director of operations at People to People Ministries.
Another local nonprofit, the Women’s Service Club, is the organizer of the event. Club President Brittany Tharp said, “(The club) brings together women of all ages to provide services and fundraising efforts for our community partners and other nonprofits.” The club is always accepting new members.
The event is looking for sponsors at this time. Individuals and businesses that participate as sponsors will be acknowledged throughout the event with a variety of perks. Donated items for the silent auction and raffle also are needed.
“The first year our event raised just under $10,000 and last year $16,000,” Tharp said. “Our goal for this year is $20,000. We rely so much on sponsorship to hit that goal.”
To learn more, sponsor or donate items for auction, call Tharp at 330-347-8343, email ptpmhc@gmail.com or drop off donated items at People to People and let them know it’s for the event. Sponsorship is tax-deductible. Sponsors are asked to get in touch by Feb. 8 in order to be included in printed promotional materials.
Hippies and Cowboys will take place at Greystone Event Center, 50 Riffel Road, Wooster. Tickets are $75 each and $600 for a table of eight and include dinner, open bar and dancing. Tickets may be purchased online through Eventbrite at https://ptpmhc.eventbrite.com. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available for the dinner.
“We are involved with People to People Ministries first because we love what they do. It’s such a crucial need in Wayne County,” Tharp said. “A lot of people don’t know this, but they don’t host big fundraisers and they don’t have billable services like other agencies. So there is no federal or state funding. They rely solely on local donations.”
Chase off the winter blahs by dusting off those bell-bottoms or pulling on some cowboy boots and enjoying an evening of food, drinks and dancing, all while giving back to the community.