PENDLETON — During a winter marked more by rain than snow, Outfitters is doing its part with its annual benefit gala to remind people what the season normally looks like.
The formal occasion — which supports the non-profit organization’s goal of providing high-quality, often new children’s clothing to local families in need — is set for Feb. 29 and has a Winter Wonderland theme.
“There will be a white carpet” — along with a lot of other decorations — organizer Niki Brown said, noting what will be rolled out at the entrance to the banquet room at Embassy Suites Conference Center in Noblesville.
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Last year, there was an Oscars theme with guests receiving the red carpet treatment upon arrival. This year attendees will get similar treatment, with Pendleton Heights High School’s WEEM-FM interviewing people as they come in, getting comments about Outfitters to be used to make a video.
The evening will include drinks, appetizers and a meal; silent, live and cake auctions; music and dancing; and a raffle and presentations that help explain the Outfitters mission.
Brown said the presentations will spotlight various people and organizations who contribute to Outfitters, including a business, clothing donors and volunteers, illustrating “everyone has a part to play in supporting Outfitters.
“Without all of these parts, Outfitters doesn’t exist.”
The event begins at 6 p.m. with social time and hors d’oeuvres; people also will have the time to view auction items.
The dinner will include bourbon short-rib, airline chicken, roasted fingerling potatoes with bacon/Swiss chard.
Replacing the diamond necklace raffle from last year will be a platinum raffle. A maximum of 400 tickets will be sold for $100, and the winner — whose name will be drawn during the evening — will get the choice of three vacation packages valued at $3,000: a Caribbean cruise; an overseas vacation; or an “ultimate sports package,” including travel, accommodations and tickets to professional sporting events.
The silent auction will include more than 50 donated gift baskets, including a sky-diving package, an assortment of dog treats, opera tickets and a popular one from last year, the “wheelbarrow full of booze.”
The cake auction will feature more than 30 baked creations and will be auctioned off live. Bids in the past have run into the thousands of dollars.
John and Danielle Freed, founders of Waterline Church in Fishers and Pendleton, will be evening hosts, and Kenny Phelps Jazz Band featuring Staci McCrackin will provide live music.
This is the 13th year for the gala. Last year the event raised about $70,000.
In recent years, Outfitters has distributed about 6,000 pairs of pants/shorts, 8,000 shirts and 500 pairs of running shoes while serving about 800 families.
Tickets to the gala cost $65 per person and can be purchased at outfittersclothes.org or 765-778-9097.
