United Way event creates new Vegas

Aug 28, 2018

BY Paige Conley - pconley@perutribune.com

Miami County residents received a taste of Vegas Saturday night during the United Way’s Third Annual Monte Carlo Night.

The event took place at the Riverview Event Center and featured casino-style games including Black Jack, Texas Holdem, The Wheel and several others put on by the Sertoma Club.

Similar to UWMC’s philanthropic efforts, the Sertoma Club works for casino parties in an effort to raise money for Riley Children’s Hospital, according to United Way of Miami County’s Executive Director Debi Wallick.

“It was a win-win situation when we asked them to come to help us,” Wallick said. “They turn around and give all of their proceeds to Riley for the cranial unit.”

The UWMC’s mission this year is to give back to children which is why the proceeds raised during the event will go towards helping children in the community.

The funds, not yet tallied, will go towards the UWMC youth projects including Pathways to Equality and the backpack program as well as to the United Way.

Throughout the evening, individuals had the chance to donate either in person or online.

For every individual who gifted $100, their donation was matched and their name entered into a drawing for one of the raffle grand prizes.

According to Wallick, there was a glitch with the online donation process which hindered some individuals from giving at the event.

As a result, residents are still able to donate via the UWMC website and their donation will go towards the event.

Wallick said this year’s Monte Carlo night was the best year yet as it drew in their largest crowd with about 175 people in attendance.

“It was just a fabulous turnout,” Wallick said.

In addition to casino games, guests were able to enjoy food from local restaurants including Aroma Coffee Shop, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Dreams to Reality, Harvey Hinklemeyer’s, Los Tres Caminos, Smitty McMusselman’s Pub and Grub and Voodoo Public House.

There was also a DJ and a raffle with prizes ranging from Purdue sports tickets and business certificates to gift baskets and apparel. There were even two unique grand prizes which included four tickets to see musician Niall Horan and a Honeywell Package.

The winners of the grand prizes were Ruth Fuchs, who won the Niall Horan tickets, and Wayne Bunker who won the Honeywell Package.

Wallick and the UWMC said they grateful for all of the businesses and individuals who helped sponsor the event including Riverview Event Center, Beacon Credit Union, Gigi Designs, First Farmer’s Bank and Trust and many others.

It was with the support of their sponsors the UWMC was able to bring a unique and fun night to the residents of Miami County.