Sawnee Woman’s Club (SWC), a local service organization, will host its 28th annual Nite in Olde Cumming fundraiser on Friday, May 3 at 7pm.
The event, one of Forsyth’s longest-running community fundraisers, will be held at The Warehouse at 5095 Post Road, Cumming. The theme of this year’s event is “Big Island Luau!” and guests are invited to dress in casual Hawaiian attire as they enjoy an action-packed evening with:
- Hula Dancers
- Hawaiian Fire Dancers
- Live & Silent Auctions
- Traditional Hawaiian buffet with roasted pig and mai-tais
SWC members met this week to finalize plans for the fundraiser. “This event is always a great time and this year we have so much more to offer our guests. Travel to exotic destinations was really popular in the auction last year, so we’re giving our guests even more opportunities to bid on travel to Hawaii, Florida, theme parks, Europe and Africa,” says Adrienne Sipe, chair of this year’s fundraiser.
“Our Club has only one fundraiser each year to support charitable projects all across Forsyth County,” says Paula Glover, co-chair for the event. “It’s important that we communicate exactly what we do so that our fellow citizens understand how critical their support is. We’re not a social club – we’re here to work.”
Glover and Sipe explained that the Club was founded in 1985 and has since given over 90,000 service hours and more than $420,000 in donations to organizations that serve children and families. SWC is responsible for leading the Egg-stratordinary Outdoor Art Project, a collaborative effort that beautified locations all over Forsyth County with specially painted giant eggs, similar to the CowParade project in Chicago.
Feed the Hungry Forsyth will be on-site during the fundraiser to “rescue” items not served during the event and deliver to a local food pantry.
Sawnee Woman’s Club also started a Sacks of Love program in local elementary schools that has inspired dozens of local churches, civic clubs and student groups to help end hunger in Forsyth County. One group, Feed the Hungry Forsyth, even received a substantial donation from the Club this year to purchase a refrigerated truck to rescue perishable items from restaurants and deliver it to local food pantries. The truck, pictured at right, will be on-site during the May 3 fundraiser to deliver the caterer’s donation of Hawaiian items not served during the event.
The event also offers local businesses a chance to get involved by donating to support the event and the Sawnee Woman’s Club. The Forsyth County News headlines this year’s sponsors at the Big Island level. Stiller Law Firm is a Maui level sponsor. Oahu level sponsors include Phil and Anita Tomlinson and Bank of North Georgia. Kauai level sponsors include Dean and Alison Compton, Terry and LeeAnn Broscher, Century 21 Results Realty, H. Richard Lee, Jr., CPA, LLC, Mr. & Mrs. Steve Bacastow, and Momentum Overseas, Inc. Molokai level sponsors include Amazon Premium Products and Sheree Crowe – Origami Owl Independent Designer.
“Once a year, we invite members of our community to come to Nite in Olde Cumming to celebrate the work we’ve accomplished over the last year, and help us raise the funds that are vital to continuing it,” said Sipe. Tickets to Nite in Olde Cumming are $50 per person and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, contact a Sawnee Woman’s Club member or email the Club at info@sawneewomansclub.org for more information.
Businesses or individuals that are interested in donating an item to the silent auction or becoming a Nite in Olde Cumming event sponsor should contact Sponsorship Chair Beth Daffin at 678-458-0002. Sponsorship opportunities range from $150 to $2500 and include VIP tickets to the event, recognition on signage and event materials, and recognition during the event.
