Been saving your day-glo-green, tie-dye shirt for a special occasion? Have a pair of bell-bottom jeans collecting dust in your closet?
Why not help out neighborhood service organizations by putting on those ‘60s relics and heading to the Doubletree Hotel Campbell Centre April 13 for the Lakewood Service League’s annual fundraising party?
More than 300 East Dallas residents are expected to attend this year’s “Celebrate, Celebrate, Dance to the Music” 1960s theme party. Tickets are $30 per person in advance, $35 at the door, and all proceeds benefit East Dallas service and charitable organizations.
“The more successful the party is, the more we are able to give back to the East Dallas community,” says Sherryl Thomas, president of the Service League.
Dance music by the 10-piece East Dallas band “Rock Bottom” anchors the fundraiser, which will feature raffles and live and silent (“Big Board”) auctions.
Among raffle items are a 10-speed bicycle, symphony tickets and dinner for four, a basketball autographed by the Dallas Mavericks, a $1,000 U.S. saving bond donated by First Lakewood National Bank and a Zuni necklace.
Among the auction items are golf lessons, meals at neighborhood restaurants, an Omega watch donated by Lakewood Jewelers and a trip for two to San Francisco. Most items have been donated by local merchants; for example, have donated more than $2,000 in gift certificates in a drive spearheaded by Roy L. Cook of Bryce Studio.
Raffle tickets ($5 per chance, or six chances for $25) are available in advance from League members or at the door (you need not be present to win). Tickets for the fundraiser can be purchased at the door or in advance from League members or by calling Natalie Lynn at 827-5248. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Last year’s ‘50s-themed party netted $30,000, which was distributed to 11 neighborhood organizations ranging from $500 for the YWCA Swimming Program to $6,000 for the East Dallas Cooperative Parish.
East Dallas organizations can apply for League funding by writing the League at P.O. Box 140157, Dallas 75214. Certain criteria apply, and not all requesting organizations are funded each year, Ms. Thomas says. Last year, 27 organizations applied for funds.
“We tend to support those organizations that have specific projects in need of funding,” Ms. Thomas says.
Party co-chairmen are Suzanne May and Trish Willingham; publicity chair is Margaret LaRocca. Solicitation co-chairmen are Rene Estrada and Sheila Dohm.
The 75-member League was founded in 1982 by a handful of East Dallas residents interested in improving their neighborhoods. Among the League’s many projects has been Lakewood Park, carved from muddy creek land near Williamson Road. League efforts outfitted the park with swings, slides, and open and covered picnic areas.
League membership is open to East Dallas women of all ages willing to donate at least 36 hours annually for service projects. The League meets monthly and typically adds 15 new members each year. Dues are $25 each year. For membership information, call Cherrilane Blackburn at 826-6652.
