Bright Beginnings

Join us for an evening of fun!

Silent Auction

Fantastic Food

Casino Games

              Time to Socialize with other Adults!

 

The cost is $35 per person. All the event proceeds will further enhance and enrich the classrooms, gym and motor room in the Minnetonka Community Education Center.

The Bright Beginnings Benefit is a great way to meet new people or enjoy time with friends. Plan to attend with parents from your class or your neighbors down the street. Dress code is whatever feels comfortable - jeans to cocktail dresses.

 

6-8 p.m. Silent Auction

 

8 p.m. Short Program & Heads/Tails Game

 

8:30-11 p.m. Casino

Each guest receives $2,000 in chips to use when playing Black Jack, Poker, Beat the House, Red Dog and Texas Hold’em. Not sure how to play? The professional dealers are happy to teach you.  If lady luck is not on your side, you can purchase additional chips throughout the evening. And, if gaming is not your style, you may use your chips to purchase a raffle ticket for the Jackpot drawing at the end of the evening.

 

Bright Beginnings Benefit Frequently Asked Questions

 

Question:  What is the Bright Beginnings Benefit?

 

Answer:  The Bright Beginnings Benefit is an annual fundraising event.  Monies raised benefit each family who participates in the Minnetonka Preschool and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) programs.  The following are examples that have been purchased with benefit funds: books for the classrooms, books for parents to check-out, sensory tables, a light table, large motor equipment for the gym such as a balance beam and challenge course, classroom speaker fees, scholarship fees and field trips and activity fees.  The biggest purchase with benefit funds has been the Minnetonka Community Education Center playground equipment.

 

Question: What will the funds be used for this year?

 

Answer:  Funds raised this year will be used for scholarships for families in need of financial assistance.  In addition, funds will be used for supplies to support the classroom curriculum for both ECFE and Preschool.

 

Question:  When and where is the Bright Beginnings Benefit?

 

Answer:  The benefit is on Saturday, March 6th from 6-11 pm.  The silent auction will be from 6-8pm and the casino games, played with funny money, will be from 8:30-11pm.  The Wayzata Country Club helps sponsor the event and Las Vegas Tonight is leading the casino games.

 

Question:  Who attends the Bright Beginnings Benefit?

 

Answer:  Any person who believes in early childhood education; whether you are a parent, grandparent, caregiver, neighbor, teacher, and community member or business owner.  The benefit has been seen as a couple’s night out, a “mom’s night out,” a night to socialize with program friends and teachers and a time to give back to the programs in which your children are appreciated for whom they are.

 

Question:  What is the attire for the benefit?

 

Answer:  Clothes… anything from denim to diamonds.

 

Question:  Do I need a ticket to attend the benefit?

 

Answer:  Yes.  Tickets can be purchased at the door.

 

Question:  Do I have to purchase anything once I am at the benefit?

 

Answer:  No.  The casino games are played with fake money that you receive for each paid ticket upon entering the event.  The fake money is also your raffle ticket for your chance to win either a Burlee or free birthday party at MCEC.  The more fake money you win at the casino games, the more chances you’ll have to win the raffle items.  However, there is a cash bar for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.  There is a Heads/Tails game that you can choose to play for $10, but it is not required, and there will be a silent auction if you wish to bid on items. 

 

Question:  What is the Heads/Tails game?

 

Answer:  The Heads/Tails game is a fun, interactive game.  If you choose to purchase a bracelet (ticket to play the game), you then put your hands either on your “head” or “tail” before a coin is tossed.  If you chose the correct body part, then you continue in the game until there is only one person left.  The person left standing at the end of the game will win a prize.

 

Question:  Will there be food and drinks available?  Once I get to the benefit, do I have to sit with people I don’t know?

 

Answer: There will be a food buffet and a cash bar.  You do not need to sit with people you don’t know.  This event is designed for mingling.

 

Question:  Can I participate in the benefit even if I can’t attend?

 

Answer:  Yes.  Your class may decide to donate an item to the silent auction or you may choose to purchase raffle tickets for chance to win a Burlee or a free birthday party to be held at MCEC.  You do not need to be present to win a raffle item.

 

Question:  Can I bring my child(ren) to the benefit?

 

Answer:  No.  This is an event for adults.  If you’d like to attend other MCEC family events, please attend Open Gym times on Saturdays, Open Play on Wednesday afternoons, free movie nights in January and February, and a Baby Disco in March.

 

Question:  What should I do if I want to attend but cannot find a babysitter?

 

Answer:  If you are in need of a babysitter, here are some examples of resources:

 

www.sittercity.com<http://www.sittercity.com/> – search engine to then get local babysitters to interview.

 

Post a babysitting position on the Crown College website www.crown.edu/academics/career-services/post-a-job.html<http://www.crown.edu/academics/career-services/post-a-job.html> to interview a potential babysitter

 

Talk with classmates to see if you can use one of their qualified babysitters for just special occasions such as the benefit.

Can not attend, but would like to donate? Donations can be made online below. Thank you for your generosity!