It's the holiday time, and that means everyone is busy with family and friends. While our committee is taking some time to spend with their families, the new year will bring lots of hard work for the fundraisers ahead. As I begin my journey as fundraising chair, I would like to thank Allen Fiechuk for his fine organizational skills. He has left me with a very workable framework to strengthen some of our previous events, while adding some new ideas as well.
We closed 2023 out with our traditional Angel Tree, which saw 52 ornaments being placed "In Honor" and "In Memory" of our members, volunteers, and community members' families and friends. While this is one of our smaller fundraisers, we were able to raise $260 toward the Society's operations. Additionally, our newest gift shop item - the 2024 Calendar - has also been extremely popular. We still have a few left in stock, so if you have not purchased yours, get it now before they're gone. Due to the popularity of this item, we will be designing a 2025 calendar, so stay tuned for further details.
Our first event of the new year kicks off with our second annual "My Indiana County" Photo Contest. We are looking for what you believe makes Indiana County special: is it one of our many local fairs, maybe a high school sports game, or one of the county's many historical sites? We will collect all entries from January 1, 2024 through February 17, 2024, for a $10 entry fee for each photograph you enter. Then, beginning on February 24, 2024, we invite the public to vote for their favorite entries for $1 per vote; voting will end on March 30, 2024. There will be two categories: Youth (16 and under) and Adult (17 and over). Prizes will be awarded to the top three in each category, with first prize being a $100 cash prize. The top six winners in each category will be featured in our 2025 calendar. For more details, please read the rules and regulations on the events page of our website.
Winners from the photo contest will be announced at our second annual trivia night on Friday, April 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., where all the photos entered will be displayed. We had a successful Trivia Night in 2023, but learned a lot from our first time hosting, so this year we are hoping for a larger crowd and a lot of fun. Stay tuned to learn more about this year's theme; as a hint, what does Marty McFly and Doctor Strange have in common? Tickets are $30 and include dinner. Tickets will go on sale on our website beginning January 1, 2024. Members, call the Society or check out your newsletter, to learn how to take advantage of your discount. Seats are limited, so be sure to get your ticket early to secure your spot. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners.
These events just cover the first quarter of 2024. We are planning our annual spring and fall teas, and Mary Jo Bowes is hard at work putting together the programs. As an added bonus this year, we are going to be featuring a Holiday Tea during It's a Wonderful Life Festival. Details on all our teas will be featured in the coming months.
It takes a lot of work to put together these quality events for your enjoyment. We are looking for new committee members and/or people who could help with specific tasks. Check out future blog posts or newsletter articles for more information about the help needed throughout the year. I look forward to what the Fundraising Committee will be able to accomplish this year.