Steffanie Bjorgan knows there’ll be a large crowd of hungry mouths to feed come April 28.
That’s when Red Roof Retreat will host its annual fundraising pasta dinner and Bjorgan, the non-profit organization’s executive director, said the popular event is once again sold out.
“We sold 360 tickets in two days,” Bjorgan said. “It’s such a popular community event.”
Even before the first plate is served up, a lot of work has been done to get ready for the big evening, Bjorgan said.
“It’s like organizing a wedding every year,” she said.
Last year’s dinner raised $105,000 for the organization, which offers recreational and respite services to children, youth and young adults with special needs and their families.
Red Roof’s main hub, called The Ranch, is located on Concession 6 and a second facility, Kevan’s House, on Concession 2.
The Ranch is home to Red Roof’s adult day programs on weekdays and children’s respite on weekends.
Kevan’s House is home to the organization’s adult weekend respite and emergency residential care.
While dinner tickets have all been sold, there is still work to be done and Bjorgan is hoping businesses and individuals in the community can help.
“It would be great to have more prizes and sponsorships,” Bjorgan said, adding that no donation is too small and that items can also be grouped together to create something unique.
“It’s amazing what packages you can put together,” she said.
The dinner will be held at John Michael’s Banquet & Event Centre on Upper’s Lane in Thorold. Doors open at 4 p.m. with dinner being served at 5 p.m.
For more information about the event, to become a sponsor or to donate items to the raffle or auctions, contact Bjorgan via email, steffanie@redroofretreat.com, or call 289-868-9800.
Donations to the live and silent auctions are needed by April 16 while cash sponsorships are needed “a little earlier than that,” Bjorgan said.
