March Mingle will bring Roaring 20s to Rec Center

On Saturday, March 14, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Communities in Schools of the Tecumseh Area (CISTA) looks forward to continued support for its work in Tecumseh Public Schools with packed attendance at the March Mingle. Food and fun Roaring Twenties style are planned for the evening at the Smith Recreation Center.The theme was selected to recognize 20 years of community support for CISTA. The TCA Big Band and a local disc jockey will provide the music, with 15 area restaurants donating their finest food.Heather Perez, CISTA executive director, promises that those attending will not recognize the recreation center on March 14. “The decorations are going to be phenomenal,” Perez said. “People are invited to come dressed up in period clothing.”In addition to food and music, the evening will be filled with raffles and a silent and live auction. Attendees have the chance to win passes to Walt Disney World in Florida, skydiving lessons, a signed football by Michigan State University football coach Mark Dantonio, and a 42-inch plasma television from Martin’s Home Center. Also available are sports passes, fitness packages, concert tickets, a Tecumseh Public Schools handmade quilt made by THS Assistant Principal Angel Mensing, and two sculptures created by artist Steve Millian.“Auction items are coming in every day,” said Perez.During the evening, CISTA will pass the hat, and the money donated will go directly to services and scholarships for students who can’t afford to go to camp or participate in school activities that have a cost.Theme baskets will be raffled off throughout the evening, in addition to the silent and live auctions. Once the auctions are complete, guests will be able to enjoy dancing and socializing for the rest of the evening.“I am most excited about the food and the entertainment,” Perez said. “It gets me really jazzed up about the event itself.”Donations are what make the evening possible and give CISTA the funds it needs to continue their work assisting in Tecumseh Public Schools. “March Mingle covers our programming,” said Perez. “We run over 50 programs. We’re in every building.”Perez works with three site coordinators and a graduation coach. Liz Fraker is the graduation coach at Tecumseh High School.Cindy Hook is site coordinator at Tecumseh Middle School, while Rhonda Tinsley is site coordinator at Tecumseh Acres Elementary School. Tracy Hedrick is developing coordinator at Patterson, Herrick Park, and Sutton Elementary. The team collaborated, provided and/or coordinated over 50 programs during the 2013-2014 school year.More than 2,800 Tecumseh Public School students were served by one or more CISTA programs last year, according to Perez. The total students served were 99 percent of the TPS student body.Over 1,300 volunteers provided more than 2,400 volunteer hours of service to Tecumseh School District students.“I have never seen the kind of support I have seen here in Tecumseh,” Perez said.Perez and her staff work with an 18-member board. “They have been phenomenal in helping us organize and pull the March Mingle together,” she said. “I am so appreciative of all their assistance.”The CISTA board members are Chair Sherri Tuckey, Vice-Chair Katie Mattison, Treasurer Sam Schmidt, Secretary Rhaea Miller, Janis Montalvo, Joe Tuckey, Dr. Kelly Coffin, Katherine Whelan, Tom Meyer, Gidget Rowe, Julie LoMonaco D.C., Carrie Barden, Heather Franco, Heather Marsh, and Tom Wright. Mariah Armstrong, Ben Brehmer, and Becca Mammel are student board members.There were four levels of sponsorship for March Mingle. The Lead Sponsor is Old National Bank. The Big Cheese level is Robert E. and Rosemary Price Foundation. The next level is The Bee’s Knees with First Federal Bank, Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, Martin and Carol Boot, Tecumseh Big Boy, and Tom and Jeanette Meyer. Sponsors at the Hotsy Totsy level are Adrian College, Joe Schultz Agency, Martin’s Home Center, O’Hara, Schmidt & Sons Pharmacy, Sunderland Insurance, Tecumseh Harley-Davidson, and TLC Community Credit Union.Food for the evening is provided by 15 local restaurants, including 3 Dudes and Dinner, Basil Boys, Boulevard Market, Busch’s, Catering by Liz, The Daily Grind, The Dog House, Evans Street Station, Kapnick Orchards, Kirsten’s Kreations, Maria’s Sunnyside Café, Randy’s BBQ, Sal’s Italian Restaurant, The Spotted Cow, and Tecumseh Big Boy, with bar service provided by The Country House.For more information, contact CISTA at 423.7574.