Chamber to hold night of fundraising
People can try their hand at games of chance, while supporting some charities within the local community, during the fourth annual Casino in the Cape.
Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral’s Leadership Class of 2014, the event will take place on Feb. 27 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. The fundraiser will feature several casino tables, buffet-style dinner and drinks, as well as a chance auction, a silent auction and a live auction.
Annette Siner, event chair, explained that it is the end-of-year project for the leadership alumni.
“We raise money for local charities in the area,” she said.
The proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will benefit the Cape Coral Caring Center, the For the Kids Foundation and the Cape Coral’s Guardian Angels for Special Populations.
“We got presentations from a bunch of different charities in the area,” Siner said of the alumni. “These were the three that we thought needed the most help. It kind of tugged at our heartstrings a little bit.”
Last year, Voices for Kids of Southwest Florida and Cape Coral’s Guardian Angels for Special Populations were the beneficiaries. Approximately $21,000 was raised during the event.
“We would like to pull in about $30,000,” she said, noting that the end-of-year project also serves as a friendly competition between the classes. “We really want to blow the last class out of the water.”
Tickets for Casino in the Cape are $50 per person, or $80 for two tickets.
There are only 200 tickets up for sale, and they are going fast.
“We’ve probably got about 100 more tickets,” Siner said on Thursday.
The tickets come with $200 in “funny money” to spend in the casino, along with an open bar and dinner. Ticket holders are also entered into a reverse raffle for the chance to win $1,500 cash.
In the reverse raffle, the tickets will be put into a hat, then pulled out one by one.
“They don’t want their name to be called,” she said. “They want to be the last one standing.”
The Rotary Club of Cape Coral Goldcoast will be operating the casino tables, which will include roulette, craps, blackjack and three-card poker. Bingo will also be offered in a separate room.
Siner explained that attendees can use their “winnings” to purchase tickets, which they can then put toward items in the chance auction. The items range from gift cards and chocolates, to a cruise.
The chance auction and the silent auction will wrap up at approximately 10:30 p.m.
The silent auction will also feature some choice goodies.
“We have Key West Express tickets and weekend getaways – overnight stays at various hotels and resorts in the area,” she said. “For the guys, we have spring training tickets for the (Pittsburgh) Pirates.”
At about 10 p.m., the live auction will kick off.
Some items up for bid include a four-day, three-night stay at Cudjoe Key in the lower Florida Keys, a three-day, two-night stay at GreenLinks Golf Villas at Lely Resort in Naples, an annual membership to Anytime Fitness, and advertising space in the Cape Coral Breeze, the Lee County Shopper and others.
“We have a two-night stay at The Westin (Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village), but it’s a whole package,” Siner said. “Along with dinner for four at Melagrano West, which is the new restaurant which will be opening up there.”
One unique item is a service and cremation from Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Cemetery.
“We’ll also have 50/50 raffles throughout the night,” she said. “Probably three.”
Live entertainment will be provided by a deejay.
Organizers encouraged people to pick up their tickets quickly.
“We see where the money’s going, we see it actually helping the people in our community,” Siner said. “It’s going to be a fun night, and it’s a donation for a good cause.”
To purchase tickets to the 4th Annual Casino in the Cape, visit the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral online at: www.capecoralchamber.com or stop by at 2051 E. Cape Coral Parkway.
For more information about the event, visit online or call (239) 549-6900.
The Cape Coral Yacht Club is at 5819 Driftwood Parkway.