The new year brings a new season of Casper’s original Thursday night Party With A Purpose – Thankful Thursday, at the smoke-free Beacon Club!  We’re back Thursday nights for the Spring 2019 season with our friends at Tito’s Vodka as we add to over $1.5 million you’ve helped raise for local charities – and as always, Thankful is the only event of its kind that gives 100% of the proceeds to local organizations doing local good.  Join us on Thursday nights starting January 17th – there’s a chance to win $500 in the bottle draw just for being in the room, and Tito’s will generously give the same amount to EACH of our charities to start them off.  Free Tito’s cocktail for everyone 21+, but all ages are welcome.

Live auctions, door prizes, 50/50 raffles and lots of fun & surprises along the way – the party starts at 5 each night, and the live auction gets underway around 6:30.

Here’s who you’ll be helping out in the new year at Thankful Thursday:

January 17th – Interfaith:  This local charity is there for our neighbors in need, providing emergency assistance to persons living at or below the poverty level – including shelter, food, clothing, transportation, dental, medical needs, and tons more.

January 24th – Heroes’ Fund:   Via the Wyoming Medical Center Foundation, this new fund was recently established in the wake of the shooting of a Casper Police Officer in the line of duty, to help our local first responders and their families in times of need, working with professional & volunteer firefighters, EMS workers, and law enforcement personnel affected by death or serious injury.

January 31 – United Way Of Natrona County:   They work with partner agencies all over Natrona County to insure that local residents have access to human service programs that help prepare them for success in life, keep them safe and healthy, and work to improve overall quality of life – focusing on the three categories:  Basic needs of food, shelter, safety – health services, including special needs & senior care – and education.

February 7th – Casper Family Connections:  CFC was founded to provide children who are unable to live with one or both parents a safe and conflict-free environment to have contact with the non-custodial family through supervised visitation.  Target families are generally in crisis and vulnerable, dealing with issues of child abuse and neglect, parental substance abuse issues, domestic violence, and separation/divorce.

February 14th – Kids’ Kampus:  This Casper Housing Authority CARES project serves kids in Natrona County birth to 12 years of age, providing safe and affordable child care for our local families.

February 21st – Mimi’s House:   Mimi’s House works to address teen homelessness in Casper, assisting our homeless youth ages 16 to 19 to inspire and house them with a warm, family-style environment, in order to equip them to build self-sufficient lives.

February 28th – JR’s Hunt For Life:  Bringing awareness and resources to prevent suicide throughout our community, offering a forum to survivors and those contemplating suicide to give them a platform to express their thoughts, their voice, and their need for help.  They provide support groups, personal calls and visits, and more.

March 7th – Werner Wildlife Museum:  Founded in 1964, this local treasure showcases almost 400 birds, fish and animals – including The Lair, an interactive exhibit for children, as well as a garden, bird feeding station, and picnic area.  They promote learning and appreciation of the Earth’s natural history through preservation of exhibits, collections & outreach.

March 14th – TEARS Foundation:  Supporting local families who have experienced the unimaginable tragedy of losing a child through pregnancy and infant loss.  There are no government funds to support bereaved families who need to make final arrangements for their baby and receive ongoing support to rebuild their lives – with your help, the TEARS Foundation steps into the void and makes a difference.

March 21st – NCHS Angel Fund:   Assisting our local students who need financial help in order to be fully able to participate in social and academic opportunities, with everything from school supplies to backpacks, class fees, meals and insurance so they can participate in school activities.

March 28th – Natrona County Meals On Wheels:   This wonderful local resource helps our seniors and home-bound neighbors with nutritious meal delivery, with great volunteers that are committed to improving the physical and mental health of their customers, even performing well-being checks.  For many seniors, this is one of the only outside contacts they have, and a much needed service in our community.

April 4th – Guardians Of The Children:    With the guiding principles of valor, truth, and integrity – this local motorcycle organization serves as advocates to families in crisis, helping educate about child abuse, and provide resources that might not otherwise be available.

April 11th – Excel Academy:  Providing a learning environment and well-rounded educational experience for children in grades kinder through 12th, allowing the child’s natural curiosity to direct his or her learning, and promoting respect for all things and all people.

April 18th – Iris Clubhouse:  In Casper, 1 in 25 adults lives with a significant mental illness – often living life in isolation, as the effects of their illness prompts many to experience broken familial relationships and strains in their work life.  The Iris Clubhouse provides opportunities and resources for friendship, employment, housing and education in a caring and safe environment.

April 25th – Wyoming Foundation For Cancer Care:  This organization steps up for our local cancer patients and the general public, coordinating free cancer screenings, resources and education – which can be of great assistance to those fighting the battle, or just for better health and awareness - particularly those struggling with no insurance, high premiums, or no primary care.

May 2nd – Wyoming Food For Thought Project:   We’ll end the Spring season helping stock the shelves at the Wyoming Food For Thought Project, who provides much-needed weekend food bags to food-insecure kids all over Casper.  WFFTP fills over 650 bags weekly, and this event will be close to the Natrona County School District’s summer break, which often leaves children that depend on the free/reduced breakfast and lunch programs at school struggling to find food to get them through.

At Thankful Thursday, we’re most thankful for you – our generous community – and we hope to see all of you in 2019 for another great season of charity fun.

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