Libertyville Rotary variety show benefits local charity
Libertyville Sunrise Rotary recently announced its 2021 "Remarkable People Variety Show" fundraiser, a virtual event scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27.
This unique event, one of the club's primary annual fundraiser activities, will benefit a variety of not-for-profit organizations through the Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Foundation. The primary beneficiary of this year's event will be Mothers Trust Foundation.
There are many unique aspects to this year's fundraiser, a consequence of hosting a big event in a virtual environment because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Examples include "remote" talent performances by students from Libertyville, Vernon Hills and Carmel high schools; dinner (at home) delivered from local restaurants Main Street Social, Mickey Finn's and Cafe Pyrenees; an online silent auction along with an opportunity to win $2,500 cash.
"Our winter event is one of the cornerstones of our annual fundraising efforts," Libertyville Sunrise Rotary's Public Relations Coordinator Jon Robb said. "To accomplish this, we have replicated as many of the traditional elements from our in-person events and placed them in a virtual setting.
"We'll have our traditional dinner, this time delivered directly to the residences of our supporters, followed by local high school students providing entertainment revolving around Rotary International's theme of 'Service Above Self.'
"Our silent auction, always a big hit, will also be held virtually, with a wonderful selection of high-value gifts donated by local merchants and club members," Robb said.
The fundraiser will be conducted via Zoom.
Tickets for the "Remarkable People Variety Show" are $150 for two people, which includes dinner for two from one of the three participating restaurants. Dinners will be delivered directly to the homes of those living in the greater Libertyville area in convenient, reheatable containers.
Donors can register for dinner tickets, the silent auction and for raffle tickets on the LSR website, bidpal.net/2021virtualfundraiser.
The silent auction begins the weekend of Feb. 19-21 and continues through the evening Feb. 27. Raffle tickets are $20 each (or six for $100), with a grand prize of $2,500 cash.
"Libertyville Sunrise Rotary researched a number of virtual events prior to creating 'Remarkable People Variety Show,'" said Tom Zengeler, current Rotary president.
"We combined the most practical ideas from around the country while preserving as many of our popular activities from previous events to arrive at this format. The ability to participate in the dinner, bid on silent auction items and purchase raffle tickets online will take us a long way toward meeting our goals. In fact, one of our silent auction bidders was from Hawaii, so we expect a lot of activity through our website."
The beneficiaries of the "Remarkable People Variety Show" include several organizations that also support the community. Since it was created in 1987, the Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Foundation has provided more than $2 million in grants to local, regional and international groups embodying Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self."
This year's primary recipient, Mothers Trust Foundation, provides immediate assistance during times of crisis to low-income children living in Lake County. The foundation's goal is to provide hope, build confidence and make a positive difference in a young person's life.
For more information about Libertyville Sunrise Rotary, visit portal.clubrunner.ca/2389, or contact Jon Robb at (847) 362-4244 or jrobb@farmersagent.com or Tom Zengeler at (847) 272-6550, ext. 14, or tzengeler@zengelercleaners.com.