Get your St. Patrick’s green on and come out for the 27th annual Casino Night, hosted by Kiwanis Club of Dayton Township, on Saturday at Dayton Community Center, 170 Pike St., in Old Town Dayton.
“This is one of several fundraisers Kiwanis does each year, including our pancake breakfasts,” said Richard Amrhein, club vice president. “All proceeds are used to support our young people.”
Often, Dayton High School’s wrestling team members assist local Kiwanis projects in exchange for financial donations to help offset the team’s expenses and foster a spirit of cooperation and community volunteering in the students, club member April Romo said.
“We get the help we need and they get the financial assistance they need,” Romo said. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Kiwanis Park, located on Highway 50 just west of the post office is the club’s year-round project. With the centerpiece of the park being the Welcome to Dayton Rock, the park also features a war memorial and other fixtures commemorating the area’s history. Kiwanis also helps with “in-kind” or financial donations as needed when situations unexpectedly arise, as occurred last year when two families lost their homes to fire. As part of their greater outreach, they also provide material support to Kiwanis Family House, which provides free housing for families using services at University of California at Davis’ Medical Center.
Casino Night proceeds are used to provide scholarships which is administered by Western Nevada College, and given to DHS graduates with at least one year of college completed.
“We want to make sure the scholarships are given to students who are well on their way to completing their degree,” Amrhein said. “We’re also a small club, working on growing membership, so that also currently dictates how much we can do.”
Casino Night begins at 5 p.m. with dinner service of pulled pork sandwiches and sides served until 7:30 p.m.; cost for dinner is $5. Gaming takes place from 6 to 10 p.m., and a raffle and silent auction featuring an array of items also takes place.
Wine, beer soda and water will also be available.
Tickets can be purchased in advance (receive 100 gaming tokens and one drink token) and at the door (50 tokens and one drink token); cost is $15.
Further membership or Casino Night information and tickets are available from any Dayton Kiwanis member or by calling, Richard Amrhein, 301-6034; President Dalos Graf, 230-2218; April Romo, 220-4520; or Dennis Graf, 434-5732 (all 775 area code).