Area residents are invited to an evening of food and dancing Saturday to raise money for a good cause.
The Community Fun Dance & Social is being hosted by the nonprofit Veterans Challenge at the former Expressions building at Vernon Park Mall. There will be a pre-dance social from 5-7:30 p.m., followed by the dance from 7-11 p.m.
The social is free to attend, but there will BBQ chicken plates and hotdogs for sale, Debby Guthrie, director of Veterans Challenge, said.
“We are really excited and hope people will come out and support us,” Guthrie said.
Founded in 2011, Veterans Challenge is a nonprofit group that seeks to promote the general welfare of veterans by assisting them with getting access to medical care for things such as mental health issues, Guthrie said.
At the dance, musical talents of Sure Thing will be on display, along with dance music requests played by DJ Shon.
Fun ribbons will be given out to the most talented dancer, oldest dancer, most talented dance couple and so forth.
There will be a 50/50 cash drawing at 9:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased for $1, $5, $10 or $13.
All proceeds from the social and the dance will go towards a tribute for veterans of the Korean War, marking the 60th anniversary of the conflict, Guthrie said. The rest of the money will be used for the opening of the Lenoir County’s Veteran Pavilion at Vernon Park Mall.
There will also be an opportunity for any former or active members of the U.S. military to sign up for a membership at the Veteran’s Pavilion, Guthrie said. For the first 500 to sign up, a lifetime membership can be purchased for $9 per month, along with two free dance tickets. A regular membership will cost $36 per month.
Advance dance tickets can be purchased at IFIXNC computer repair store or the Veterans Challenge Office located at the DMV at Vernon Park Mall. Tickets are $12 and $3 for children 12 and under.
At the door, tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for veterans.
For more information, call 252-933-3540 or email veteranschallenge@gmail.com
Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Noah.Clark@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @nclark763
Community Fun Dance & Social is Saturday
Where: Former Expressions building at Vernon Park Mall
Pre-dance social: 5:30-7 p.m.
Dance: 7-11 p.m.
Advance tickets: $12 for adults, $3 for children
At the door: $15 for adults
For more information, call 252-933-3540 or email veteranschallenge@gmail.com