Vegas Fever coming to Star City
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Efforts to raise funds for Homeless Services of Aroostook Inc. heat up this weekend, as Vegas Fever hits the Star City, courtesy of an event hosted by the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club.
“The Presque Isle Kiwanis Club is pleased to announce its first ever ‘Vegas Fever’ fundraiser to benefit Homeless Services of Aroostook on Saturday, March 24, at the Shrine Building, located on the Houlton Road,” said Keith Madore, Vegas Fever Committee chair.
VEGAS FEVER will hit the Star City on Saturday, March 24, as the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club hosts a first-of-its-kind fundraiser to benefit Homeless Services of Aroostook. The event will be held at the Aroostook Shrine Club on the Houlton Road in Presque Isle. Pictured preparing a sign promoting the special day are, from left: Sue Watson, co-chair of the event, and Penny McHatten, prize committee chair.
The Kiwanis Club, in partnership with Cumulus Broadcasting and the Aroostook Shrine Club, will be hosting the festivities, featuring a day- and night-long event to raise funds for the only homeless shelter north of Bangor and serving the entire Aroostook County community.
“The day-long event will begin promptly at 9 a.m. at the Shrine Building, with BINGO. Then going into the afternoon at 1 p.m., there’ll be a Texas Hold’em Tournamenet. In the evening at 6 p.m. there’ll be a casino and auction,” said Madore.
The ticketed casino and auction event will feature casino-style table games (with play money), leading up to a live auction.
“This extravaganza event will bring Sin City to the Star City — with showgirls, a wedding chapel (actual weddings will be performed, for participants with the proper paperwork) and photo booth. And yes, Elvis will also be in the building — all night,” Madore said.
Complementary appetizers and refreshments will be served throughout the day and night. Participants must be 21 years or older.
“Kiwanis Club members have looked forward to planning and hosting this exciting event, in hopes to raise more than $10,000 that will go to the local homeless shelter – as the need is evident to expand their services to help those in need who have been rebounding from this unstable economy in the past few years,” he said.
Madore said many of those who utilize the shelter are families with children.
“Local businesses have graciously donated an exciting array of prizes that will be auctioned that evening. Any businesses wishing to make a donation to the auction part of the event may do so by calling Penny McHatten at 551-5122,” said Madore.
“The theme for this year’s event is ‘It Takes a Community to Help A Community,’ and with those words we need community support and turnout for this event,” said Madore.
“Tickets are selling fast for Vegas Fever, so don’t miss your chance to win big,” said Susan Watson, co-chair of the event. “At the chapel, proposals and vow renewals are encouraged.”
Tickets are $50 per person, with a chance to win big, including cash and prizes.
For more information, contact the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club via e-mail at pikiwanis@yahoo.com or log onto their website at http://pikiwanisclub.homestead.com.
