Clinic to raise funds at '50s-theme party

Tri City Health Partnership in St. Charles is letting down its hair and busting out the poodle skirts Friday for the free medical clinic's annual fundraiser.

The 1950s-theme party, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Funway, 1335 S. River St., Batavia, includes live music, bowling and an auction featuring memorabilia related to the television show "Happy Days."

Executive Director Shannon Watson said organizers this year wanted to do something different than the more formal dinner dances held in the past.

"The big dinner dance is overdone," she said. "So we decided to just have a fun party and raise a bit of money."

The clinic originally had scheduled "Happy Days" actor Harris Kal, who played the character Bobby, as master of ceremonies, but the arrangement fell through unexpectedly in the last couple of weeks, Watson said. However, Kal has donated an original script from the television show to be auctioned off, and there also will be a mystery item courtesy of Henry "the Fonz" Winkler.

In addition, the auction will feature a CD jukebox stocked with music from the '50s and '60s and valued at $9,000. The item was donated by an area priest, Watson said.

"That's our main auction item," she said. "It's really beautiful."

There also will be raffle prizes, food and a costume contest.

Tickets are $100 each and available by calling (630) 377-9277. Reservations are required.

Tri City Health Partnership, 318 Walnut St., was founded in 2001 by a group of doctors to care for Tri-Cities residents who do not have medical insurance or are under-insured. To date, it has served more than 1,800 patients, Watson said.