BELLVILLE — Local residents will be able to roll the dice for a good cause this Saturday, March 9.
Richland Young Professionals (RYP) is hosting its annual casino night at The Legacy on Possum Run. This year’s theme is “Salute and Shuffle.”
The event will include classic casino table games, swing dancing and a silent auction to support Love Our Hero’s in Bellville.
“Tami has helped so many veterans with food assistance, paying their bills or just giving them a place where they feel comfortable,” said RYP president Bethany Cuthbertson. “Whatever we can raise for Love Our Hero’s, we know it will be very well used. They deserve it.”
Tami Oyster, founder and owner of Love Our Hero’s, said she plans for the funds raised to support “The Ron Project.”
She founded a donation-based thrift store in 2019 where all profits support local veterans. The Ron Project will build a new home for a Mansfield Army veteran who was referred to Oyster for food assistance.
“He is the second veteran I’ve helped,” she said. “He listed some foods that would help him and I thought maybe he didn’t have a stove.
“He invited me to walk through his home and the roof was caving in on the kitchen. I told him I was going to fix it, I just didn’t know how.”
Oyster said many community members pitched in to buy Ron a temporary mobile home and the project to build him a new home is 70% funded.
“I’m hoping to break ground this summer on his new home,” she said. “I just want to thank the community for supporting him and Love Our Hero’s. We would absolutely not be where we are without community support.”
Casino night to host trained table game dealers
RYP will again host Jackpot Games dealers for blackjack, poker, roulette and craps. Attendees aren’t able to gamble with real money at the event, but will receive play money at the door.
Tickets are $55 for general admission or $85 for VIP tickets. All tickets include dinner, while the VIP players also receive unlimited champagne, additional play money, a private lounge and private gaming table.
Tickets are capped at 250 total attendees. CONNE will also be playing jazz music at the event.
“We’re going for a 1940s theme, so I’m really excited to see everyone’s outfits and have a fun night,” Cuthbertson said.
Cuthbertson said RYP’s goal is to raise between $5,000 and $10,000 for Love Our Hero’s this year.
All proceeds from the silent auction will also benefit Love Our Hero’s. RYP vice president McKenna Campbell said many local businesses donated items for the silent auction.
Some items up for auction include:
- An autographed photo of A.J Blubaugh, pitcher for the Houston Astros
- Half a day of fishing at Rockwell Springs Trout club + lunch for two
- Day passes for Snow Trails
- One-year car wash membership at Hercules Express Wash
- Golf basket with a 419 Golf gift certificate
- Photo session with Alyssa Huss Photography
- Margarita basket
- Wine basket
The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 9. Tickets can be purchased online while they last.
Gaming is scheduled for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and the silent auction will end the night.
RYP membership is limited to people ages 18 to 40, but events are open to anyone. Anyone interested can follow RYP on Facebook, attend an event or fill out an interest form online to be added to the email list.
