March Mingle planning a ‘hot’ time in Tecumseh

By: 
MARY KAY MCPARTLIN

Linda Hewlett is pictured at right while attending a previous March Mingle event at the Smith Recreation Center. Herald file photo.

Supporters of Communities in Schools of the Tec-umseh Area (CISTA) will gather on March 12 from 6  to 10 p.m. at Smith Recreation Center for the March Mingle Luau fundraiser. The evening’s luau will be a distraction from Michigan’s March winds as attendees sample food from local restaurants, with a DJ, and live and silent auctions taking place.

March Mingle is one of two fundraising events the organization puts on each year to fund the work of CISTA in Tecumseh Public Schools (TPS). CISTA believes every child needs and deserves a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult, a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start and a healthy future, a marketable skill to use after graduation, and a chance to give back to peers and the community.

“All of what we do is direct services,” CISTA Executive Director Heather Perez said. Money from the March Mingle goes right into the general fund to cover operational costs for the organization.

One or more CISTA programs served 99 percent of TPS children during the 2014-2015 school year. Over 1,500 volunteers, including TPS students and community members, logged more than 4,800 volunteer hours of service.

Dressing in costume to complement the theme is a popular activity for many people attending March Mingle. “People are welcome to dress in the luau theme, but it isn’t required,” said Perez.

The decorating team is already putting together ideas. Perez is impressed with the ideas the group has come up to transform Smith Recreation Center into a Hawaiian paradise.

“They are going to go to the next level,” Perez said.

Dinner is from 6 to 8 p.m. Each year March Mingle is supported by 12 to 15 area restaurants that provide tastings for the evening. A beer and wine cash bar will be open as well.

“The food is phenomenal,” said Perez.

The silent auction and live auction begins at 8 p.m. CISTA is still in the early stages of gathering auction item, but, according to Perez, tickets for Disney World and a Michigan International Speedway package have already been donated.

“We usually get over one hundred auction items, so it’s a good chance to get a bargain,” Perez said.

CISTA is grateful for any items that individuals, businesses or groups can donate for the auctions. The deadline for donations is Friday, March 4.

Another way to help CISTA is through sponsorships. The Big Kahuna level of $2,500 includes recognition in all printed materials with a logo, six tickets to the event, and the option of a reserved table.

The $1,000 sponsors at the Ohana level receive recognition in all printed materials with logo, four tickets to the event, and the option of a reserved table. The Mahalo level of sponsorship is $500, and includes recognition in all printed materials with logo and one ticket to the event.

A $250 Aloha sponsorship includes recognition in the event program. The deadline for sponsorships to be included on the poster is January 31. To be included in the Luau program, sponsorships must be received by March 4.

Tickets for March Mingle are $45 per person. Ticket holders must be at least 21-years-old.

The number of people attending past March Mingle events is between 250 and 300.

Checks should be made payable to CISTA. A receipt for tax purposes will be provided.

Forms are available online at www.cistecumseh.org. For more information call 423.7574.

Category:

Tecumseh Herald

 

110 E. Logan St.
P.O. Box 218
Tecumseh, MI 49286
517-423-2174
800-832-6443

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