Red Nite Out for the Red Cross
PRINCETON — The Bureau County Red Cross is hoping people are seeing red on Saturday night.
Executive Director Lori Compton said the annual winter fundraiser for the local Red Cross chapter is set for Saturday at the Ye Olde Underground Inn, located at 219 S. Sixth St. in Princeton. The doors for the “Red Nite Out” auction/dance will open at 7 p.m. with the live auction to begin at 8 p.m. Appetizers and a dessert table will be available. A silent auction is also being held.
Compton said Bureau County has had a Red Cross presence since 1917. The Red Cross receives no federal or state funding but is supported entirely through local businesses, organizations and individuals. The annual winter fundraiser is an important outreach for the Red Cross to build funds to help support its work in the county, she said.
Among the items available through the live auction are sports packages, overnight packages, a Ladies Day Out for two, a theater package, gardening package and an auto package. In addition, there will be a wide range of other items for the silent auction. There will be something for everyone, Compton said.
Music for the evening will be performed by the local band 212.
Tickets are $15 per person in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets are available at Sullivan’s Foods, Spring Valley City Bank, Central Bank in Princeton, First State Bank of Walnut and the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, as well as the local Red Cross office located in the Prouty Community Building in Princeton.
Primary sponsors for Saturday’s fundraiser are Central Bank, Marquis and St. Margaret’s Health, along with multiple other supporting businesses and groups, Compton said.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s fundraiser, Compton said the need is always there to continue supporting the work of the local Red Cross. The Red Cross serves the entire county and the support is needed from throughout the county.
The Bureau County Red Cross has been especially busy this fiscal year, having assisted 15 families due to home fires, Compton said.
“You may not think you will ever need the services of the Red Cross, but you never know when that time could happen,” Compton said. “Statistics show one in four people will use the Red Cross at some time in their life. The Red Cross will be there in your time of need to provide you with free assistance like shelter and food and to give you hope and comfort.”
In addition to its disaster emergency relief services, the Red Cross also provides health and safety training and education, provides its blood donor program, and provides a communication support for military families, Compton said.
In addition to monetary support, Compton said volunteers are always needed with people giving as much time or as little time as they can. Whether it’s the Red Cross or some other outreach, it’s important for people to volunteer in their communities, she said.
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