KCEOC plans Casino Night fundraiser Saturday

A local non-profit organization dedicated to assisting people with employment, education, housing, nutrition and other aspects of daily life is inviting the public for a night of casino-style fun to help it continue its mission.

Items that will be given away during casino night Saturday.

KCEOC Community Action Partnership, based in Gray, will host the event beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Corbin Center.

“We were just looking for some creative ways to host a fundraiser that would be engaging and fun for everyone and would benefit the agency as well,” said Kayla Sergent, Advancement Director at KCEOC.

Admission to the event is free. Upon entering, patrons will receive a set stack of chips, which may be “bet” playing Craps, Roulette, Blackjack or Texas Hold’em Poker.

Additional chips may be purchased at the cash window for anyone who goes bust, or would like additional chips.

“You can go back to the chip bank all you want,” Sergent said

In addition to the games, a silent auction will be on-going throughout the evening.

Sergent said a variety of items have been donated for the auction including a dine-out package featuring gift cards and gift certificates to local restaurants, tickets to Holiday World Theme Park in Santa Claus, Indiana, assorted items from Cracker Barrel, a new camera, and a fire extinguisher.

We have about 20 items available in the auction,” Sergent said.

The games will close at approximately 9:30 p.m. Patrons will the cash in their chips.

For each $100 an individual has, he or she will receive one raffle ticket.

Each raffle ticket may be dropped into the raffle of the individual’s choice, divided as the person so chooses.

Among the items to be raffled are a package of four University of Kentucky football tickets, along with an overnight stay at a Lexington hotel and a gift card to Malone’s steak house; a $1,000 gift card, a $500 gift card, and five separate $100 gift cards.

“They are Visa gift cards, so they can be used anywhere,” Sergent said.

Other items to be raffled include, two tickets to a UK men’s basketball game in the lower section of Rupp Arena along with a $50 gift card to Malone’s, and a diamond necklace valued at $999.

Sergent said the dress for the event is casual.

“We know there will be some who will come all dressed up and others who will come in jeans. Both are perfectly okay,” Sergent said. “Come as you please. Just come out and have a good time.”

Sergent said the proceeds will go to various programing, with the majority going to child development and the KCEOC Emergency Support Center in Gray.

“Our beds are normally full,” Sergent said of the 18-bed facility that primarily serves women, but includes two rooms that allow men with families.

“If anyone wants to make an additional donation, they are more than welcome,” Sergent said noting that a table with information on the various KCEOC programs will be set up at the auction. “Donors may earmark their donation to a certain program.”

Sergent said KCEOC officials would like to make this an annual event.

Founded in 1964, KCEOC’s mission is improving communities and creating opportunities by giving a “hand up” as opposed to a “hand out.”

“We are dedicated to providing the means through programs like the Emergency Support Center, Summer Feeding, LIHEAP, Weatherization, and to give the assistance necessary to break the chain of poverty binding the residents of southeastern Kentucky for generations,” officials stated.