Night on the Town Fundraiser Brings Strong Community Support
The annual Night on the Town event at the Playhouse of White Lake was a tremendous success, thanks to strong attendance, generous donors, and the backing of outstanding local businesses. Organizers reported that about 45 tickets were sold, making for an enjoyable and impactful evening.
Event organizer Brent Raeth said a special thank-you was necessary for Clarissa Moon of Shelby State Bank and Stephanie Ware of the White Lake Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau, whose leadership and hard work were instrumental in making the event possible.
Food, Entertainment, and Atmosphere
Guests enjoyed a full meal prepared by The Gnarly Heifer, whose team served high-quality dishes that received rave reviews throughout the night. Many attendees commented on how fresh and flavorful the food was, helping set a warm and welcoming tone for the evening.
Live entertainment was provided by Tommy Foster and Justin Avdek, whose engaging performances filled the Playhouse with energy and fun. Their music helped create a lively and relaxed atmosphere that perfectly matched the spirit of the event.
Silent Auction and Activities Raise Thousands
This year’s silent auction featured 24 items, including an Amazon Echo Show, a DeWalt Tool Kit, rounds of golf at White Lake Golf Course, and a kayak donated by WaterDog Outfitters, which was one of the most valuable items of the night. The authentic German dinner provided by Chef Rusty Morningstar, owner of Bone Ends, proved to be the most sought-after item, inspiring some of the evening’s most competitive bidding.
The auction brought in $4,786 in winning bids. Additional fundraising activities, including the 50/50 raffle, pumpkin guess, dinner auction, Heads or Tails, and Happy Dollars, added another $700. Combined with ticket sales, the event raised around $3,000 to support Rotary projects and community initiatives.
Proceeds from Night on the Town help fund the Rotary Club of White Lake’s ongoing work in the local community, including student scholarships, programs to feed the needy, and public improvement projects such as the White Lake band shell, nature trails, warming shed, gazebo, and splash pad, among others. These efforts reflect Rotary’s mission of service above self and the club’s commitment to enhancing life in the White Lake area.
Local Sponsors and Donors Make a Big Impact
Night on the Town would not have been possible without the support of many local businesses and individuals who gave generously to make the night a success.
Business Sponsors:
CatchMark Technologies, The Gnarly Heifer, Whitehall District Schools, West Michigan Engineering, Surveying, and Environmental, Chef Rusty Morningstar and Bone Ends, Fish Grand Haven, The Hellers, Whitehall Car Wash, Green Ginger Salon, Stoney Ridge Vineyards and Winery, Dee Stress U Massage, Quiet Time Massage, West Michigan Symphony, Winberg Construction, White Lake Golf Course, Alive Health Family Chiropractic, Claybanks Pottery, The Playhouse at White Lake, The White Lake Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau, WaterDog Outfitters, and Shelby State Bank.
Individual Donors:
Brent and Kara Raeth, Dale McKenzie, Esther and Roy Baldridge, Bob Hague, Bob Swan, Susie Reher, Mitzi Luttrull, and Virginia Demumbrum.
Interested in Joining Rotary?
If you are interested in joining Rotary, the White Lake Rotary Club meets on Tuesdays from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. at the Viking Athletic Center (VAC) in Whitehall. Guests are always welcome to join for lunch, fun, camaraderie, and shared service. You can also check out the club via their website (whitelakerotary.org) or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MontagueWhitehallRotary
