Thursday July 30th, Merrymakers celebrated its third annual Songs & Suds, a karaoke event designed bring in new funds and to create awareness of the Merrymakers mission.
The event was held at the Regency Lake and Tennis Club from 7-10 p.m..
Over 100 guests were present to try their hand at singing, bid at the silent auction or socialize with friends. The highlight of the auction was a $2,500 pink necklace donated by Borsheim’s Fine Jewellery.
The reason the event is slanted to karaoke singing is to highlight Merrymakers musical mission in working with our elderly population. In fact, many of Merrymakers performers were present to show off their musical skills and help support the non-profit.
Organizers of the event were coordinators Melissa Hegarty and Shawna Mayer who were asked to make the event more of a fundraiser than a friend raiser. They and their committee members Angela Cutler, Karen Granger, Kasey Harrison, Lakelyn Hogan, Emily Kerr, Mary Kerr, Tom Kerr, Laurie McCarthy, Tena McCormack, Maria Mindermann, Melissa O’Neill and Denise Snodgrass made the event flow seamlessly, making the event better than last year’s breakout evening.
The event brought in $10,000. Those dollars will go directly to financing Merrymakers performer’s visits to senior facilities throughout Nebraska and Iowa.
The DJ for the event was Cathy Katzenburger of Katz Karaoke.
Anthony’s catering provided light food, and Nothing Bundt Cakes donated their delicious cakes for dessert.
Kristi Benning performs at the Merrymakers 2015 Songs & Suds event