November 26: Spinelli’s in Lynnfield was bustling last Friday, November 21 when FC Greater Boston Bolts (FCGB) hosted its first ever Casino Night fundraiser. The event was a huge success.
“What a great night! Everybody seemed to be having a blast, and the tables were packed at the end of the night! Considering the current economic downturn, I am quite pleased with our final monetary results. I would say that our first club wide fundraising effort was a total success.” – Elliott Pratt, President FCGB
Attendees included FCGB alumni, coaches, players, parents, administration and their guests. Some former FCGB parents were also in attendance to support FCGB’s efforts. The night started around 7pm with dinner. The buffet included eggplant parmesan, chicken, fish, warm bread and other excellent Italian dishes. Desert was an ice-cream version of the Oreo cookie.
“The dinner was worth attending alone. But then we had a great time playing blackjack with funny money and participating in the raffles. We also bid on a few choice items in the silent auction.” – FCGB alumni parent.
After dinner participants gathered around the crowded casino tables to play roulette, blackjack, and no limit Texas hold em’. A ticket to casino night came with dinner, desert, and $3,000.00 in “funny money,” which is fake money to use at the tables. Participants exchanged funny money for chips. The more chips participants had at the end of the night, the more raffle tickets for the three major prizes participants received. The three major prizes were a big flat screen TV, an expensive digital camera, and an Apple ITouch. In addition, participants were obliged to buy raffle tickets for the other items, which included Patriots tickets, NIKE duffle and golf bags, free training sessions, and most notable a Paul Mariner signed England Jersey.
In addition to the two separate raffles, participants bid on silent auction items. Silent auction items included a signed David Beckham Jersey, a one week summer vacation on Cape Cod, a Sam Adams “bucket of cheer,” Red Sox and Celtics tickets, and other great items. You can see them all on FCGB’s website.
Due to its success, FCGB plans to make Casino Night an annual event.