Westbrook’s Mission Possible Teen Center hopes to raise at least $10,000 and have a good time doing it at a benefit dance this Friday.
The teen center will be holding its annual benefit dinner dance on May 12 from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Verillo’s on 155 Riverside St. in Portland.
Mission Possible Executive Director Evelyn Blanchard said this is the biggest fundraising event that Mission Possible will do all year.
Besides the dinner, Blanchard said there will be dancing to the Bob Charest Band. “We’re really excited about them helping us out with this event,” she said. Blanchard said State Farm Insurance, the lead sponsor of the event, has donated $1,000 to cover the cost of the band.
The dance will also feature a raffle with prizes such as a bicycle, paintball packages, a $100 gift certificate to Ricetta’s, a camp rental and the services of a private chef to cook a meal for four in the winner’s home.
This year, Blanchard said the fundraiser is more important than ever. She said the teen center had been receiving an approximately $45,000 grant from the Office of Substance Abuse, and that grant expired in December and it was not renewed.
“That’s a hole that needs to be filled,” Blanchard said.
Mission Possible Program Coordinator Rickie Bogle said the center’s staff is looking to expand its programs for the teens who come into the center.
While she said it’s important for the teen center to raise money, the dance has another purpose. “It’s going to be a wonderful night to celebrate youth and acknowledge what we do to support the youth of the community,” she said. “We also want to acknowledge the people who make Mission Possible possible.”
Tickets for the dance are $40 per person and $70 per couple with proceeds going to benefit the Mission Possible Teen Center. For tickets, call 854-2800.
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