Gamble pays off for fundraiser

Fun was in the cards recently for the Kiwanis Club of Sparta, New Jersey, when it staged Kasino Night, complete with poker, black jack, roulette, and craps games.

Sparta Kiwanians play games for a good cause during the second-annual Kasino Night.

“The event was a rousing success,” says Scott Friedland, chairman of the event’s planning committee. “All 180 attendees and 39 Kiwanis workers had a great time.”

Guests to the sold-out fundraiser enjoyed games managed by a professional gaming organization, as well as refreshments. The prizes weren’t bad, either.

“The top ones were 42-inch HDTVs, a TomTom global-positioning system (GPS), two portable DVD players, jewelry, gift certificates to about 20 of our best restaurants, a special massage package at a spa, and much more,” Scott says. “Most of the prizes were donated.”

Kiwanians helped in various roles, including selling tickets, gathering prizes, catering, bartending, cleaning, and arranging permits.

The event raised US$8,187—all of which will go back into the community.

“This was our second annual Kasino Night,” Scott says. “It looks good for us to do a third next year.