WHAT: Black & White Casino Night
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28
WHERE: Wildflower Country Club, Temple
COST: $50 per person if tickets purchased by March 20. Tickets at the door will cost $60 per person.
NOTE: Proceeds will benefit Families in Crisis
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If luck’s a lady, then the Black & White Casino Night will be a success.
The Junior League of Bell County is hosting the March 28 Vegas party as its 2009 community fundraiser. All proceeds will benefit Families in Crisis Inc., a local non-profit shelter for victims of family violence and sexual assault.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said co-chair Melissa Tyroch of Temple. “We wanted to raise money for a good cause and give people the chance for an exciting night out.”
At $50 per person in advance or $60 at the door, attendees will be able to try their luck at a variety of casino games, including blackjack, craps, roulette and poker.
“As people come in the door, they’ll get a stack of play money to gamble with,” said co-chair Whitney King of Temple. “They’ll get about two hours of play, and then it’ll be time to turn in the winnings.”
The winnings will then be exchanged for a comparable amount of raffle tickets for a prize to be announced.
Admission also entitles attendees to complimentary hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets. All food and beverages will be catered by the Wildflower Country Club. There will also be music and dancing.
And the fundraiser’s silent auction will feature items like flight lessons, spa packages, dining gift cards, a guided fishing trip to Galveston, sports memorabilia, jewelry and art.
Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased online at www.jlbellco.org or by calling 254-634-1184. The deadline to order advance tickets is March 20. Guests are asked to dress in black and white cocktail attire.
Ms. King hopes the fundraiser will generate a lot of revenue for Families in Crisis.
“Seeing firsthand how Families in Crisis helps so many local families makes me want to work hard to make Black & White Casino Night a success,” Ms. King said. “There’s so much good that Families in Crisis does, and its mission is parallel to the Junior League’s. We’re both about the betterment of women and children.”
While this is the first fundraising event that JLBC has hosted for Families in Crisis, the two have been partners in service activities for the past several years.
“We’ve collected and donated items that were on their wish list,” said Jennifer Hannah in a JLBC press release. “Things like clothing, food, hygiene and household products. They’re always in need of those.”
JLBC’s Rosie Bucks program has also provided Families in Crisis residents with the opportunity to shop for free clothing at the League’s Second Hand Rose resale store.
And last fall, JLBC members participated in the national Make a Difference Day by painting at the agency’s Killeen shelter.
The staff at Families in Crisis is excited about the March 28 fundraiser.
“It’ll be a great way for us to raise funds for our shelter operations in Killeen and Temple,” said Suzanne Armour, executive director at Families in Crisis. “Part of the proceeds will also go to our children’s programs.”
For more information about Families in Crisis, visit www.familiesincrisis.net. And for details about the JLBC, visit www.jlbellco.org.
tlunsford@temple-telegram.com
