For the second year in a row, a local group of friends hosted a party and raised $8,500 for three local charities.
What began as a new year’s celebration a year ago turned into a successful fundraiser that benefited Plateau Outreach Ministries, the local organization that aids people needing help with housing, food and bills.
It went so well, the friends throwing the party did it again to ring in 2011 at the Enumclaw Expo Center. Guests showed up, donated money, danced, played games and had a great time. The result this time was $5,500 for Plateau Outreach Ministries, plus $1,500 apiece for the Enumclaw Senior Center and Enumclaw Youth and Family Services, all agencies hit hard by recent budget cuts.
“It started a year ago when a group of us wanted to celebrate New Year’s Eve,” said chairman of the group Jennifer Westby. “The FOPS – Friends of the Plateau – decided we needed to do more than just have fun. We wanted to have a party with a purpose.”
The Bite and Boogie served up donated bites from local restaurants and music by local classic rock band Howling Rain and high school band Inside Out and Backwards.