FARMINGTON – An organization specializing in local charity and good deeds is trying its hand at a more formal fundraising event this Saturday, with its Masquerade Ball kicking off at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Maine at Farmington’s North Dining Hall.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors of Franklin County is hosting the Masquerade Ball, beginning with a champagne social from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and moving on to dancing and socializing from 7:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. in the North Dining Hall. The Ice Out Band has donated their time to provide live music, and there will be hors d’oeuvres and a chocolate fountain.
NHN formed a couple years ago, featuring residents getting together to help out less fortunate neighbors, according to member David Keith. Requests generally come in from the friends and neighbors of those who need assistance, Keith said, and the projects undertaken by NHN tend to be personal and specific.
They provided funding for a housekeeper to clean an elderly couple’s home before the holidays, for example, or cut down a tree poking holes in a local man’s house. Keith said that many projects involve simple volunteer work by NHN members, such as siding a house or helping a couple create a playhouse for two children in wheelchairs.
“We get a lot of ‘who are you guys, and what do you do?'” Keith said. “We kind of like that.”
The Masquerade is new territory for NHN of FC, Keith said, noting the group generally focuses on small, non-formal events like its Amazing Race scavenger hunt. The group accepts donations, Keith said, but doesn’t actively solicit funding.
“This is the first time we’ve tried to do something a little more formal,” Keith said. “We’re finding our way.”
Tickets for the semi-formal Masquerade Ball are available at Douin’s Market, Madore’s Market and Ron’s Market or from a member of NHN, or at the door. The champagne social hour and hors d’oeuvres are included in the $20 ticket price. More information is available on the group’s Facebook page, or by calling David Keith at 491-6547 or Ivan Gould at 491-5074.
Everyone should go to this function, not only to help our neighbors, but to hear the fantastic music by The Ice Out Band! Dr. Jay Naliboff is just fantastic on sax, keyboard, guitar, and voice; Steve Richardson is an amazing singer/ song writer and guitar player, John Whitney is a steady eddie bass player, Dickie Hoisington will blow you away with his voice and bongos, and Mike Sawyard can drum all night with skill and panache and get you up dancing! So come on down to UMF’s North Dining Hall (corrected) with your masks and dancing slippers and hear these guys! A great time will be had by all, and some of your neighbors will be a lot happier.
Thank you Charities and Music Lover for the great comment…Just one correction though, the dance is being held at UMF’s North Dining Hall not at the Homestead. I agree that a great time will be had by all!!!