Staff Reports
The NFL Indianapolis Colts are led by Luck — Andrew Luck.
And attendees of the local Third Annual Ultimate Tailgate Party can hope for a bit of the other kind of lowercase luck — the kind that might help them win Colts tickets to seven Lucas Oil Stadium games.
That’s a possibility via raffle tickets at the football-flavored fundraiser for Just Friends Adult Day Services slated at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 16 at Mill Race Center, 900 Lindsey St. in Columbus.
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The event features game-day food, a cash bar, silent and live auctions, sports trivia, a raffle drawing and outdoor games such as giant Jenga, cornhole, trash can Frisbee, and more. Plus, attendees can cheer on the Colts as they face the Washington Redskins during a televised presentation of the game.
Last year’s event attracted about 150 people and generated slightly more than $50,000 for the 30-year-old nonprofit program that provides structured activities, socialization, nurturing and care for frail older people who cannot be safely left at home alone. The program is tailed for each client’s interest and needs and includes socialization, structured activities, medical care and more.
Organizers regularly cite their success stories.
Several years, ago, for instance, a local, retired farmer struggling with various age-related issues began to spend his days at home simply sitting in his recliner feeling depression hang over him. Then his wife heard about Just Friends. She drove him there the first day they decided to try the program, which has sliding-scale fees. But he stubbornly sat in the hallway and wept.
He told his wife he wouldn’t return. But with his wife’s blessing, Just Friends sent its participant pickup van to get him a few days later. The man grew excited when he saw the van because he was fascinated with vehicles.
Days later, during a music-listening session at Just Friends, the older farmer who never had the nerve to dance with his wife got up and grooved with his newfound friends — and grew to love the place.
The event’s silent and live auctions will feature items such as a homemade wooden porch swing made by Jim Baute, various themed prize baskets, a week-long vacation to Door County, Wisconsin, and more.
The public is also invited to buy $20 raffle tickets to support the fundraiser for a chance to win the aforementioned Colts tickets. Those raffle tickets can be purchased with cash, check or debit by phone at 812-372-6415, by mail or in person at 900 Lindsey St. in downtown Columbus, or by downloading the raffle form at justfriendscolumbus.com.
Lucas Oil Products, First Financial Bank, Force Construction, and Thomasson, Thomasson, Long & Guthrie are sponsoring the event to help Just Friends provide a wide variety of services to meet the medical, physical, and personal needs of each participant.
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What: Third Annual Ultimate Tailgate Party to benefit Just Friends Adult Day Services program for frail older people who cannot be safely left at home alone. The program is tailed for each client’s interest and needs and includes socialization, structured activities, medical care and more.
When: Begins at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 16.
Where: Mill Race Center, 900 Lindsey St. in Columbus.
Food: A lunch buffet that includes hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, and other side dishes and desserts.
Tickets: $40 each, available at 812-372-6415 or at justfriendscolumbus.com. Tickets include lunch and two drink tickets to redeem at the bar.
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