Looking for something fun to do in late February when winter’s dragging on and you’re sick of being cold? The CAN Council’s got you covered with their annual Mardi Gras fundraiser happening February 26th in Saginaw.
The event takes over the Horizons Conference Center starting at 5:30pm. That’s early enough to grab dinner but late enough you can head over after work if you want. Doors open and the party gets rolling right away with activities that’ll keep everyone entertained for the evening.
This isn’t just dinner and speeches like most fundraisers. CAN Council set it up as a full experience. Games scattered throughout the venue. Silent auction tables loaded with items you can bid on all night. Live auction when things really heat up and the auctioneer starts calling out bids. Plus a strolling dinner setup so you can eat whenever you’re hungry instead of being stuck at assigned meal times.
Strolling dinners are underrated honestly. You walk around, grab food from different stations, talk to people without being trapped at one table all night. Way more social than traditional sit-down fundraisers where you’re stuck next to whoever bought the seat beside you. Community events like this bring people together while supporting important causes across the region.
Tickets run $100 per person. Not cheap but also not outrageous for what you’re getting – full dinner, entertainment, auction participation, drinks probably. If you’re bringing a group, tables of 10 go for $850. That’s basically $85 per person when you buy the table package. Saves you $150 versus buying 10 individual tickets.
The CAN Council does solid work around Saginaw and surrounding areas. They help people with disabilities live independently, provide community services, support families navigating challenges. Fundraisers like this Mardi Gras event keep their programs running when government funding doesn’t cover everything. Nonprofits depend heavily on community support to maintain essential services.
Mardi Gras themes work great for February events. Beads, masks, colorful decorations, festive atmosphere. It’s a party vibe that gets people out of their houses during the dreariest part of winter. Plus it’s an excuse to dress up a bit and have fun before Lent starts for those who observe it.
Silent auctions can get competitive at these things. Someone bids on an item. You come back later and see they outbid you. You bump it up again. Before you know it, you’ve spent way more than you planned but you’re committed now because you’re not letting Karen from accounting win that vacation package. That competitive spirit raises serious money for the organization.
Live auctions are where the real action happens though. Auctioneer up front working the crowd, spotters watching for bids, energy building as prices climb. Items in live auctions are usually bigger ticket stuff – premium experiences, valuable packages, things that warrant the theater of competitive bidding. The Chronicle Herald often covers community fundraising events that bring local businesses and residents together for charitable causes.
Games add a nice touch too. Maybe casino-style tables, maybe carnival games, maybe raffles throughout the night. Whatever they’ve got planned, it breaks up the evening so you’re not just eating and bidding. Gives people something to do between auction rounds.
Sponsorships are still available if local businesses want to get involved. Sponsoring fundraisers gets your company name on promotional materials, mentioned during the event, displayed on tables or signage. Good visibility for community-minded businesses that want to support CAN Council’s mission while getting some marketing exposure.
Volunteer opportunities are open too. Fundraisers this size need bodies to make everything run smooth. Checking people in, monitoring auction tables, helping with food service, cleaning up afterward. Volunteering’s a cheaper way to support the cause if you can’t afford tickets but still want to help out.
The Horizons Conference Center has plenty of space for events like this. Located right in Saginaw with parking and accessibility. Big enough to accommodate auction setups, food stations, game areas, and seating without feeling cramped. These venues know how to handle fundraisers – they’ve hosted hundreds of them.
February 26th gives people about six weeks to plan. Mark your calendars, invite friends, maybe coordinate with coworkers to buy a table together. Winter events need attendees willing to brave potentially bad weather, but by late February everyone’s desperate for social interaction after months of cold gray days.
The CAN Council’s Saginaw office handles all the logistics. Call them at 989-752-7226 if you’ve got questions about tickets, tables, sponsorships, or volunteering. They’re probably fielding calls daily as the event gets closer and people make decisions about attending. National Council on Independent Living provides resources about disability services and community integration programs similar to what CAN Council offers locally.
Fundraisers succeed when communities show up. You’re not just buying a ticket to a party – you’re funding programs that help people with disabilities gain independence and access services they need. The Mardi Gras theme makes it fun, but the underlying mission is what matters.
A hundred bucks for an evening of entertainment, good food, and supporting a worthwhile cause? That’s reasonable in today’s economy. Compare it to taking your family to a concert or sporting event where tickets alone cost that much before you add parking, concessions, and everything else.
If you’re in Saginaw or anywhere nearby and looking for something to do on February 26th, this Mardi Gras fundraiser beats sitting home watching TV. Get out, socialize, support the CAN Council, maybe win something cool in an auction. Winter nights are less depressing when you’ve got events like this to look forward to.
Call 989-752-7226. Get your tickets before they sell out. February 26th at Horizons Conference Center. 5:30pm. Be there.
