The director of the Riverside Foundation for Health Care said the buzz is building over its annual fundraiser coming up Feb. 28, which this time around will be in the form of a chair auction and casino.
“We’re starting to get some tables sold. It’s exciting. It think it’s going to be a good time,” Teresa Hazel enthused this morning.
The “chair-ity” auction—featuring a variety of handcrafted, handpainted, old, new, and refurbished chairs created and donated by local crafters, artists, woodworkers, and area businesses—is seeing more and more entries with each passing day.
Those curious to see what will be up for bid can get a sneak peek as volunteers were setting up a display in a storefront on the 200 block of Scott Street (the former Tammi’s Flower Garden location) this afternoon.
The “chair-ity” auction will be open to the public starting at noon on Feb. 28 in the upstairs foyer at the Memorial Sports Centre.
Admission is free.
There will be a closed-bid auction for some chairs, tickets for the penny table chairs, and silent auction chairs.
But the real fun will begin that night with a casino taking place upstairs at the Memorial Sports Centre. A mix-and-mingle will start at 7:30 p.m., with gaming tables opening at 8.
This Vegas-style evening will feature blackjack, roulette, and wheels of chance. Your admission ticket also will include “fun” money to play with, so try your luck at the tables and then use your “winnings” for chances to win prizes.
Advance tickets only will be sold for the casino at $25 each, and Hazel urged people to get them early because a sell-out is expected.
The ticket includes a $15 charitable receipt as well as $1,000 in “fun” money.
Additional “fun” money can be acquired at the casino by making a donation to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care.
Gold, Silver, and Bronze-sponsored “gaming tables” also will be available for $1,500, $1,000, and $500, respectively (in real money, of course).
Staff from Casino Fantasy in Winnipeg will be on hand to train the dealers and gaming table volunteers.
Sponsored tables include admission to the casino, “fun” money, and casino prize tickets.
The casino also will feature a “Win, Lose, or Drink” cash bar, wandering waitresses, games of chance, a “money grab” machine, silent auction, and casino prizes.
The “Luck of the Draw” raffle also will be held that evening, where the first-prize winner will receive a fly-in fishing trip for two to Campbell’s Cabins.
Second prize is a $200 gift certificate from The Place while third prize is a dinner for two and manicure/ pedicure.
Tickets for the draw cost $5 each and are on sale now at various locations, including Cousineau Brokers and The Place. You also can call Hazel at 274-4803.
Finger foods, including chicken wings and pizza provided by Toonie’s Bar and Grill, will be available for sale that night. Snacks also will be sold.
Age of majority is required for admission to the casino.
This will be the seventh-annual event for the Riverside Foundation for Health Care, although it is slightly different than previous years where a dinner and dance were held.
The foundation raises funds for La Verendrye hospital here as well as the health centres in Emo and Rainy River.
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