For the City Times

NEKOOSA — The Boys & Girls Club signature fundraising event – A Toast to Great Futures, concluded on Friday, April 27 with a humbling donation. The event drew over 230 attendees and raised a record amount of over $52,000 to help area youth.

(Contributed Photo)

“It is important to share that one-hundred percent of the proceeds from this event directly benefits the 2,100 youth who are impacted by the Boys & Girls Club each year. Without the community support in this event, we would not be able to continue mentoring young people, cultivate positive relationships, and provide enrichment programs to those who need it most in our community,” Sam Hodgson, Development Director.

The third annual, one-night event took place at the Nekoosa Community Center. From 7:00pm-10:00pm, guests sampled premium wines and unique, craft beers incorporated with delicious cuisine from Great Expectations. To accompany the tasting experience, guests were able to bid on items in a Silent Auction, take their chances with 52 card packages, and explore the 70+ packages in the raffle room hosted by the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.

(Contributed Photo)

Presenting Sponsors were The Dental Suite – Elizabeth Doolittle, DDS, StrongBridge Wealth Advisors, Aspirus, The Rafters, and Richard’s Liquors. Vineyard Sponsors included: Riverhill Dental – Karla McDonald, DDS, and Miron Construction. Other sponsors included our Barrel Sponsors: Wisconsin Rapids Kiwanis, ERCO Worldwide, Nekoosa Lions Club, NextHome Partners, Gottschalk Cranberry, Inc., Steckbauer Builders, Pelner-Williams Plumbing, Home Run Electric, LLC, Bank-A-Count Corporation, State Farm Agent- Kari VanErt, and Ho-Chunk Nation, Liam’s Park and our Bottle Sponsors: Altenburg’s Dairy, Golden Eagle Log & Timber Homes, Lake Arrowhead-SnoBlast Association, McCain Foods, Nekoosa Port Edwards State Bank, Reach Business Lenders, Renaissance, Ron’s Refrigeration, Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC, Spectrum Insurance, Modern Woodmen of America, From the Ground Up, and Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Inc. Pub Pilots offered a safe ride home sponsored by Liam’s Park. A Toast to Great Futures was made possible by their generous support.  

This years’ event success is already bringing excitement to next year. The date has been set, so mark your calendars now; A Toast To Great Futures 2019 will be held on April 26 at the Nekoosa Community Center.