Community News

Boys & Girls Club sells 180 tickets for inaugural Cash Bash

VIENNA - The Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg brought supporters together for a chance to win cash while helping cover the club's day-to-day expenses during its first Cash Bash fundraiser at the Grande Pointe Conference Center.

BGC of Parkerburg CEO Darlene Murphy said the event was intended to provide a final fundraising push to help sustain the club through the end of the year. Unlike grants and other contributions designated for specific purposes, money raised through the Cash Bash can go toward a range of operating needs.

"So this will be unrestricted funds that lets us pay operating expenses, pay for personnel, pay for utilities, really anything that we need to use it for to take care of our kiddos," Murphy said.

The club sold 180 tickets, approaching its goal of 200 for the inaugural event.

"For our first year, we did a pretty good job of selling tickets," Murphy said.

The evening centered on a reverse cash drawing, with each ticket drawn and the final ticket carrying the top prize. Other activities included a silent auction, raffle baskets and a DJ, with dancing planned after the drawing.

Businesses and community members donated silent auction items. Raffle baskets featured items from area restaurants, collegiate apparel stores and self-care offerings.

Murphy said the idea grew out of the popularity of cash drawings in the area and her own experiences attending similar events.

"So we thought this might be a good way for people to get together, just have a good time with each other, and maybe win some money right before the holidays," she said.

The club relies largely on donors, grants and fundraising events, including a golf classic, Murphy said. The Cash Bash gave the organization another opportunity to raise money while bringing supporters together.

"And so it's kind of fun for us, but it's also helping us fund things for our kids," she said.