In the News
January 2, 2012
United Way Next Gen branches out with masquerade event
Hot on the coattails of their recent fundraising efforts, United Way Next Gen is getting ready to host Masquerade: A Black & White Affair, which will take place Feb. 9 at Renaissance Event Venue.
The semi-formal soiree will give the United Way Next Gen community the chance to don black-and-white attire and masks for an evening of cocktails and dancing.
Next Gen is a new initiative to engage Kingstonians aged 25 to 40 with the United Way. Previous Next Gen-organized activities have included HopScotch, a beer and whisky festival hosted at The Grand Theatre, and Score for the United Way, with fundraising at a Kingston Frontenacs game.
“We’re very excited about our first Masquerade,” said Shawn Whalen, Next Gen cabinet chair. “It really is a unique event for Kingston because we are inviting the next generation to come out for a fun evening that supports a good cause at the same time.”
Throughout the evening, appetizers will be served as attendees sip on cocktails and dance to music from a DJ on the upper level or listen to live jazz music on the lower level at Renaissance.
“There are a couple of the ladies on the [Next Gen] cabinet that were looking to get dressed up, and that turned into what we thought was a great potential for fundraising for the United Way, to put this event together for a good cause,” said Whalen. “It really is all about putting on a nice dress or suit and your best shoes, and [adding] a bit of an element of mystique to the whole thing with the masks.”
It’s also an opportunity for Next Gen to spread their important message to young professionals in the community, said Whalen.
“In 2011, 85,000 people benefitted in one way or another through the United Way-funded program right here in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, and that is a tremendous number for this area,” said Whalen. “I really believe that the United Way is a terrific organization to support because they’re very transparent, and all of the agencies that they support must be equally transparent in the process, so you really know where those dollars are going.”
He added the United Way is known for taking donations and funneling them to member agencies in the area that do a variety of terrific things.
“The United Way works very hard to address the issues that cause some of the social problems and are really trying to provide lasting positive change in Kingston,” said Whalen. “I think that when it comes down to it, there are so many great charities and great organizations in Kingston that do good. There really are, but often you can get overwhelmed, and [don’t] know [what] to support. I think that the United Way is the best choice because they do so many different things, and they have a fantastic reputation and they are so transparent in what they do.”
Tickets for the event are $30 plus applicable taxes and fees and are available for purchase at the Grand Theatre Box office.
Tickets include entry into the event and a masquerade mask. There will also be door prizes at the stroke of midnight.
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