By Kaitlin Hoskins, News Editor
Celebrating Mardi Gras and raising money will come together to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama on Saturday, February 3.
The fundraising party will be held at 210 at the Tracks in Gadsden from 6 to 9 p.m. A Mardi Gras king and queen will be crowned during the event and there will also be raffle items.
According to Kandi Phillips, administrative assistant for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama’s CEO Katrina Graben, costumes are encouraged and there will be a mask decorating contest.
In addition to the costumes and contests, there will be music, food and TikTok challenges.
Guests are sponsoring tables at different tiers — platinum, gold, silver and individual — to help fund the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Platinum tables are $2,000, gold tables are $1,000, silver tables are $600 and individual tickets are $75.
Each tier of sponsorship comes with different perks. The platinum and gold tables will participate in a red carpet photoshoot, receive eight free drink tickets and receive recognition during the program. Silver tables will receive recognition during the event as well as four free drink tickets.
Each person or company who sponsors a table or purchases an individual ticket will receive one shared special perk — knowing they are helping support an organization that specializes in mentoring relationships with children in the community.
The local offices of Big Brothers Big Sisters partners with parents, guardians, volunteers and others in the Etowah and Calhoun County area to provide one-to-one mentoring with local children in the hopes that those children can “achieve higher aspirations, have greater confidence, enjoy better relationships, avoid risky behaviors and succeed in education.”
According to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama, the local team has been a part of the community for almost 40 years and that the involvement has led to results.
“The proven results of these wonderful friendships are improved grades and behavior; decreased use of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs; increased self-esteem, confidence and caring about others,” the organization states on their website.
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama, visit bbbsneal.org.