Friends of Special Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children with special needs, is holding its 13th annual ABC (All About Children) fundraiser, “Point and Paint the Schoolhouse,” Thursday, Oct. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The event includes dinner and live and silent auctions under a tent on the campus at Signal Centers, a nonprofit organization that provides services focusing on disabilities, early childhood education and self-sufficiency for children, adults and families.
Each year, the event raises funds for a different project at Signal Centers based on the needs and wants the organization shares with Friends of Special Children. This year, Signal Centers requested funding to make repairs to its main building, which is 110 years old and has some areas that are in disrepair.
Friends of Special Children members Pam Schulman, Libby Dyer and Margie Bevil, from left, pack baskets that will be sold during the silent auction at the group’s upcoming fundraiser.
Lynn Reese, left, and Sarah Land prepare for Friends of Special Children’s Oct. 4 fundraiser by packing baskets for the event’s silent auction.Friends of Special Children’s fundraising goal for this year’s event is $175,000, which will cover the cost of pointing the bricks (which consists of putting in more mortar and then scraping off excess) in areas that are missing mortar, as well as repainting the building. Anne Marie Stone, president of Friends of Special Children, compared the building to “an old lady that really needs a face lift.”
“Environment is another factor in giving children a great foundation, because they’re looking forward to learning,” said Stone.
Past projects funded by the group include a playground, a gym, new windows throughout the building, and an elevator for people with disabilities. Friends of Special Children members also volunteer at Signal Centers throughout the year, reading to the children and throwing holiday parties, among other activities.
“We all need a little livening-up,” said Stone.
The group expects 400 guests at this year’s event, which features dinner provided by Goetz Catering, a Dairy Queen dessert bar and ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s – all of which was donated or offered at a discounted price so more of the money raised would go toward the project, Stone said.
The auctions include more than 200 items, such as handblown glass items from Wauhatchie Glass and a Big Green Egg grill.
Signal Centers is at 109 N. Germantown Road in Brainerd. Tickets to the event are $50, though the number of tickets remaining is limited. People can purchase tickets or make a donation through PayPal on the group’s website at friendsofspecialchildren.org.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.