The Emporia Senior Center is a week away from a big fundraising event.
The Christmas Gala is coming up Dec. 13, and Director Ian Boyd says the event will feature a live auction with a number of items, including sports memorabilia, cosmetics, tools, floral bouquets, gift certificates for various local and area services and gift baskets with various themes. There will also be food and a cash bar.
Funds will help to replace a walk-in cooler and related heating, ventilation and air conditioning ductwork.
Total cost will be around $15,000.
The gala is part of a new fundraising push for the Senior Center, which had several challenges after over $100,000 was embezzled by former director Lannie Lyman. Boyd says the Senior Center has developed other fundraising programs, including a licensee kitchen where licensed cooks can use the center’s kitchen for a rental fee as well as a gift shop. Facility rental has been an ongoing focus for the center.
Tickets for the Christmas Gala are $12 in advance and $20 at the door, with the event going from 5:30-9 pm Dec. 13. Next year, the Senior Center has a bakeless bake sale on Jan. 23 and an assistive technology expo for April 15.
For more information about upcoming activities, call 343-3160 or find the Senior Center on Facebook.
