Foundation Party Benefits Community
Foundation Party Benefits Community
Photo by: The Wolpertinger
– July 1, 2015 – For twenty six years, a tradition in Canaan Valley has raised support for the Tucker Community Foundation (TCF). On July 3rd, the Foundation wants to give back. Cash, special prizes, and lots of patriotic door prizes will be awarded to lucky winners who have a ticket for Uncle Sam’s Birthday Party.
The party was created in 1990 to raise awareness and support to offset operational costs for a fledgling, grass roots organization striving to get established. Twenty five years later, Tucker Community Foundation is thriving and directors remain dedicated and passionate about furthering the organizations mission of “creating opportunities for the communities it serves”.
In 2011, directors responded to the changing needs of the foundation by redirecting a portion of party proceeds from operations to building a permanent endowment. The Uncle Sam’s Birthday Party Fund was established and now provides a pool of unrestricted grant support for community causes and unrestricted scholarship support for students throughout the Foundation’s eight- county region. The fund continues to grow with each successful party.
The July 3 party consists of a social hour followed by an elimination dinner. Doors open at 5:15 pm and the plated dinner is served at 6, kicking off a full weekend of festivities throughout the county. The dinner and drawing is held at Canaan Valley Resort’s Main Lodge. More than $12,000 in cash prizes, additional drawings, and colorful door prizes will be doled out to multiple winners holding tickets drawn at random.
The entrée includes a petite filet and crab-cake; a vegetarian option is available upon request. Limited beer, and wine, is provided free during the social hour. A cash bar is available otherwise.
With only 250 tickets sold, there are many opportunities to cash in or win a prize. Special prizes include the Totally Tucker Prize, Greenbrier Package and a retro-prize pack. The Totally Tucker prize includes various gift certificates from area restaurants and businesses valued at more than a $1,000. The Greenbrier package includes a three night weekend stay at the resort and $400 worth of gift cards for food and activities. There’s a good chance the retro-prize pack could contain local art; always a hot ticket item.
The highlight of the evening occurs when Uncle Sam’s helper gets down to drawing the last five tickets in the bin. Those holding the tickets (or their proxy) are invited up front and given the option to split their winnings or go for it. One by one the tickets are drawn adding fun-filled suspense as the ticket holders weigh their odds. At stake is a $5,000 jackpot.
“This is a means of saying thanks to the community”, says Rob Burns, Executive Director, “and to enjoy TCF President, David Cooper, in full Uncle Sam regalia. Party attendees include ‘locals’ from around the region, second home owners, and first time visitors seeking a good meal and good time. We hope you’ll join us Uncle Sam’s Birthday Party ‘15”.
The event is typically a sell- out. To purchase a ticket, stop by or call the Foundation’s main office in Parsons 304-478-2930, or the TCF Development Office in Davis 304-259-5008, or contact any Foundation board member. One ticket costs $125 and admits two for dinner.
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