On Saturday March 7, Southern Maryland will be treated, once again to thrill of New Orlean’s Mardi Gras. The United Way of Calvert is hosting its annual Mardi Gras benefit gala and cocktail reception with more surprises than ever.
According to Kelly Chambers, President and CEO of United Way of Calvert the agency is looking forward to the annual fund raiser and the charitable spirit of Southern Marylanders more than ever.
“We just completed our needs assessment and there are more people than ever before needing the services of the 30 or so agencies we support,” said Chambers.
The affable CEO told TBN that the need for services has spread into the established middle class in numbers that were unheard of in previous. “We have people just like you and I needing help with everything from mortgage payments, food and energy.”
Last year the gala raised $84 thousand and the money was used to fund agencies serving Calvert County’s needy. “This year we are trying raise $100 thousand,” said Chambers, reemphasizing that more people need help than ever before.
Calvert’s Mardi Gras this year is a bit different from that of years past. The annual King and Queen of Mardi Gras which was traditionally a contest for couples to help raise funds, is now being contested by six individuals.
The Show Place Arena is also going to be more decorative and festive than ever, according to Chambers. “We couldn’t do it without the great assistance of Top Hat and Maryland County Caterers,” said Chambers.
In addition to great food and fantastic music, this year’s Mardi Gras will have a lot of fun throughout the evening. There will be stilt walkers to entertain the arena floor. “We will also have a raffle of $7,000 worth of jewelry donated by Maerten’s Jewlers,” said Chambers. “All someone has to do is purchase a single ticket and they can walk away with some fabulous jewelry.”
Chambers went on to tell TBN that there are so many new prizes and surprises that everyone who attends should have a great time.
It is sure that the fund raising effort will help people in Calvert County when they need it the most.
For more information check the Mardi Gras web site – http://www.unitedwaymardigras.com, or call United Way at 410-286-0100.