GREENFIELD – Ten nonprofit organizations throughout the county have been selected as finalists for the sixth-annual Steak’n Bake’n Raffle, hosted by the Greenfield Rotary Club.
The fundraiser, which granted more than $30,000 to charities last year, includes a steak dinner, drinks and musical entertainment during a People’s Choice competition to help select the top five organizations, which then receive a $5,000 grant from the Rotary club.
More than 30 nonprofits and charities applied, said organizer Dale Buwalda. Organizations selected as finalists were invited to begin raising money the moment they were notified and will have their donations tallied until the event.
This year’s finalists are:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Hancock County
- Families United in Support and Encouragement
- Greenfield Central School Foundation
- Hancock County Food Pantry
- Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen
- Love In the Name of Christ of Greater Hancock County
- Meals on Wheels
- Special Olympics of Hancock County
- The Landing Place
- Veterans Honor Guard
The top five charities that raise the most money for their cause by the end of the event will see their efforts rewarded by a Rotary grant.
And already, the friendly competition is underway.
Denise Arland, executive director of Families United for Support and Encouragement, an organization that connects families with children with disabilities to services and support, said she began developing a strategy early this time after falling just short of the top five last year.
“We’re taking advantage of every opportunity where we touch people between now and then to raise money,” she said.
A new event, the Inspiring Abilities Expo conducted last weekend in Shelbyville, provided an opportunity to reach out to potential donors, Arland said.
FUSE is also asking loyal donors who typically make end-of-year donations to move up their donations to help them out, she said.
Karla Whisenand has been working with her board of directors for the best plan for encouraging donations to give their organization, Love in the Name of Christ of Greater Hancock County, the boost it needs to get a Rotary grant.
The executive director said she’s asked some monthly donors to make one lump sum donation before the event and is inviting benefactors to the fundraiser.
The celebration should be shared, she said.
“We want people to sit with us at the table, be there and have a good time,” she said.
Meals on Wheels of Hancock County, which served more than 21,000 meals to seniors throughout the county last year, is still pondering how to best garner donations up to and during the Steak’n Bake’n Raffle, said executive director Kathleen Vahle.
She’s eager to be a part of the event.
“We feel very honored to be selected,” she said. “I know there’s a lot of great organizations competing.”
The event is slated for 6 p.m. Oct. 28 in the exhibit hall at the Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds, 620 N. Apple St.
Tickets are $40 and may be purchased from any Rotarian or at Forty Financial, 812 E. Main St., Greenfield, or Bernzott State Farm Agency, 1279 N. State St. (located behind Subway on State Street).
Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Eight or more people can reserve a table at a discount by calling Deby Low at 317-467-2228.
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- Boys & Girls Clubs of Hancock County
- Families United in Support and Encouragement
- Greenfield Central School Foundation
- Hancock County Food Pantry
- Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen
- Love In the Name of Christ of Greater Hancock County
- Meals on Wheels
- Special Olympics of Hancock County
- The Landing Place
- Veterans Honor Guard
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Sixth-annual Steak’n Bake’n Raffle, hosted by the Greenfield Rotary Club, is planned for 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, 620 N. Apple St., Greenfield.
Tickets for the Steak’n Bake’n Raffle are $40. Tickets may be purchased from:
- Any Rotarian
- Forty Financial, 812 E. Main St., Greenfield
- Bernzott State Farm Agency, 1279 N. State St.
Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Eight or more people can reserve a table at a discount by calling Deby Low at 317-467-2228.
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