(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch presented 13 local youth programs with one-thousand-dollar checks before a sold-out crowd during her first charity gala on April 19th.
Through sponsorships and ticket sales, the mayor raised $113,000, the funds to benefit Michigan City organizations that offer youth services and programming.
“Before I was mayor, I was a coach, a teacher, and a mentor,” Nelson Deuitch said.
“I’m as committed now as I’ve ever been to our young people, and saw my first mayor’s ball as the perfect opportunity to raise the money our community needs to help our kids grow and develop into the leaders Michigan City will turn to in the future,” she said.
Several youths volunteered their services throughout the evening by distributing programs, escorting guests to their tables, and even speaking on stage to a crowd of nearly 800 people.
“Everyone there was really nice and welcoming, so that took away my nerves,” said Joshua Vaughn, an eighth-grader who took the stage during the dinner program to welcome gala attendees and recognize the elected officials in the room.
Check recipients at the gala included the Fly High Youth summer program, Salvation Army of Michigan City summer camp, Boys & Girls Club of Michigan City summer program, Diamonds and Pearls, the Drifters college readiness program, Essence Rare scholarships, JUMP, the YMCA of Michigan City summer camp, Kidpreneurs, Lubeznik Center for the Arts pop-up youth events, Monster Bowling, the Michigan City Soul Steppers, and the Stepping Stone Shelter youth program.
According to the mayor’s office, Horizon Bank provided the seed that got the ball rolling on the record-breaking fundraising initiative. Law firm Barnes & Thornburg LLP and Blue Chip Casino then upped the ante by signing on as Gold Sponsors for the event. NIPSCO, HealthLinc, Purdue University Northwest, American Structurepoint Inc., Harris Law Firm, Hoosier Equipment LLC, ACME Print Copy Design, Global Engineering & Land Surveying LLC, Meticulous Design + Architecture, Wessler Engineering, and La Porte County Project Management rounded out the event’s Silver Sponsors. Dozens of more businesses, service clubs, church groups, and individuals from throughout the region pitched in to sponsor tables and tickets as a means of supporting Michigan City’s youth.
“I am so grateful to all of our sponsors and everyone who attended the gala or donated tickets, time, or talents to help us pull this off,” the mayor said.
