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Mayor's Ball: Giving some help to the needy
By Laurie Wink, The News-Dispatch
Hundreds of glamorously attired sponsors and attendees braved sleety roads Saturday evening to attend the Mayor's Gala Ball at the Orak Shrine Temple. The goal for partying was to raise $20,000 to enrich the lives of Michigan City's children, seniors, the homeless and those with disabilities.
Mayor Chuck Oberlie said five nonprofit organizations were selected to receive this year's special funding.
“We try to pick groups that $4,500 will mean a lot to,” Oberlie said.
Representatives of the selected organizations were in attendance and had no trouble expressing how important the additional funding was for their programs.
Kathy Ceperich, executive director of the Michigan City Homeless Shelter, was excited the shelter was a first-time recipient. She said the funds will be used to cover basic operating costs.
“It's very expensive to keep the doors open,” Ceperich said. “This is a fun way to take care of basic needs of the shelter.”
John Espar, board president for Citizens Concerned for the Homeless, said, “We have a generous community that's always been there when we needed them.”
Daily-food needs of some 150 people are being met by Meals on Wheels, another selected organization. Thalia Baker said meals were delivered to a total of 325 last year, and the special funds from the gala will subsidize meal costs for the neediest of the needy in Michigan City.
“It will help cover costs for those who can't afford the basic cost of $2.35 a meal,” Baker said.
LaPorte County Special Olympics plans to use the additional funds for uniforms, registration fees for competitions and to introduce new sports programs, according to coordinator Carol Schultz. Michigan City's Special Olympics engages about 170 athletes ages 8 to 99 in year-round sports competitions.
Special Olympian Nikki Miller was dressed up and enjoying the gala almost as much as she enjoys competing in bowling, basketball and track events. She meets new people at the competitions and has collected “a lot” of medals, too.
From a handful of school-aged participants, the Hours for Ours program has grown to meet the needs of 146 kids in 11 of 13 Michigan City schools. Program coordinator Chip Cotman said, “We've got some great community mentors and partners in the community. And the kids are awesome.”
The school-based program pairs kids with adult mentors from the community who spend time with them weekly. Cotman said the extra funding will make a difference in this year's summer program, which will offer three special activities to keep students and mentors connected when school is not in session. The planned activities include a beach party at the Dunes National Lakeshore, the Challenge team-building program at Joy School and a trip to Splashdown Dunes.
Receiving funding again this year, the Young People's Theater of Michigan City used last year's donation to produce “Beauty and the Beast.” Director Stan Holdcraft said Mayor Oberlie saw the play.
“I think he was impressed by what we do with and for the kids,” said Holdcraft, who is making plans for this year's production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Funding from the Mayor's Ball will be used to pay for royalties and production costs for special effects, including flying the Wicked Witch and Dorothy above the stage.
Many of the nonprofit organization representatives are not paid for giving their time and talents to these causes. They, too, are among the generous donors who make life a bit better for so many others.
Contact reporter Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.
By Laurie Wink, The News-Dispatch
Hundreds of glamorously attired sponsors and attendees braved sleety roads Saturday evening to attend the Mayor's Gala Ball at the Orak Shrine Temple. The goal for partying was to raise $20,000 to enrich the lives of Michigan City's children, seniors, the homeless and those with disabilities.
Mayor Chuck Oberlie said five nonprofit organizations were selected to receive this year's special funding.
“We try to pick groups that $4,500 will mean a lot to,” Oberlie said.
Representatives of the selected organizations were in attendance and had no trouble expressing how important the additional funding was for their programs.
Kathy Ceperich, executive director of the Michigan City Homeless Shelter, was excited the shelter was a first-time recipient. She said the funds will be used to cover basic operating costs.
“It's very expensive to keep the doors open,” Ceperich said. “This is a fun way to take care of basic needs of the shelter.”
John Espar, board president for Citizens Concerned for the Homeless, said, “We have a generous community that's always been there when we needed them.”
Daily-food needs of some 150 people are being met by Meals on Wheels, another selected organization. Thalia Baker said meals were delivered to a total of 325 last year, and the special funds from the gala will subsidize meal costs for the neediest of the needy in Michigan City.
“It will help cover costs for those who can't afford the basic cost of $2.35 a meal,” Baker said.
LaPorte County Special Olympics plans to use the additional funds for uniforms, registration fees for competitions and to introduce new sports programs, according to coordinator Carol Schultz. Michigan City's Special Olympics engages about 170 athletes ages 8 to 99 in year-round sports competitions.
Special Olympian Nikki Miller was dressed up and enjoying the gala almost as much as she enjoys competing in bowling, basketball and track events. She meets new people at the competitions and has collected “a lot” of medals, too.
From a handful of school-aged participants, the Hours for Ours program has grown to meet the needs of 146 kids in 11 of 13 Michigan City schools. Program coordinator Chip Cotman said, “We've got some great community mentors and partners in the community. And the kids are awesome.”
The school-based program pairs kids with adult mentors from the community who spend time with them weekly. Cotman said the extra funding will make a difference in this year's summer program, which will offer three special activities to keep students and mentors connected when school is not in session. The planned activities include a beach party at the Dunes National Lakeshore, the Challenge team-building program at Joy School and a trip to Splashdown Dunes.
Receiving funding again this year, the Young People's Theater of Michigan City used last year's donation to produce “Beauty and the Beast.” Director Stan Holdcraft said Mayor Oberlie saw the play.
“I think he was impressed by what we do with and for the kids,” said Holdcraft, who is making plans for this year's production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Funding from the Mayor's Ball will be used to pay for royalties and production costs for special effects, including flying the Wicked Witch and Dorothy above the stage.
Many of the nonprofit organization representatives are not paid for giving their time and talents to these causes. They, too, are among the generous donors who make life a bit better for so many others.
Contact reporter Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.