MountainStar Family Relief Nursery announces the 2011 Star Dinners Party Series, revving up in its second year of delectable dinners and cocktail parties for a great cause. The program offers the opportunity for individuals (or groups) to host or enjoy a delicious meal that benefits MountainStar Family Relief Nursery and helps at-risk children and families in Deschutes County. The dinners offer a great way for people to enjoy wonderful food, drink and entertainment while giving back to a very worthy cause. And because of the generosity of Star hosts, 100 percent of Star Dinners’ proceeds go directly to MountainStar.
The program has raised $10,000 since inception in 2009. As the program has matured, dinners have included such events as a Spanish inspired seafood paella wine dinner in April this year (raised $1400), an old fashion summer picnic with musical entertainment in June (raised $1200), a gourmet dinner at Smith Rock, and more. Future events include a western style barbecue catered by Baldy’s in August, a Canadian Thanksgiving in October…to name a few.
Coming up August 27, 6-9pm, Dana and Pam Gillet (community members and supporters of MountainStar) will host a western style ranch barbecue catered by Baldy’s BBQ, featuring 10 Barrel beer and musical entertainment by Lindy Gravelle. Attire will be casual, jeans and cowboy/cowgirl boots are perfect. Cost to attend is $100 per person. This event is open to the public and can accommodate 50 guests. Seats are still available. To RSVP, email daviscg@yahoo.com or call 541-330-8727 or 541-388-3058.
How the program works? There are two ways to participate in Star Dinners, either as a host or as an attendee. Hosts offer to cook or have dinner catered at their own expense for a number of guests and determine the amount each guest will contribute to MountainStar. Guests sign up at the Star Dinners website, www.stardinners.com and make their online donation through PayPal. A confirmation email is sent to guests with directions to the dinner upon receipt of the payment. Dinners or cocktail parties can be planned around a variety of themes chosen by the host.
To host a dinner, contact STAR Dinners founder and MountainStar board member Joyce Norman at 541-480-4478 or joyce@bendbroadband.com. “Whether you’re a great cook, or simply know one, and would like to host a dinner with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting MountainStar, we would like to hear from you,” comments Norman.
To check the calendar of events and reserve your seat at any of the upcoming Star Dinners, or to learn more about Star Dinners, please visit www.stardinners.com. Star Dinners are held year around and each dinner party is listed on the Star Dinners website. MountainStar hopes this novel concept continues to grow and provide a fun way for people to contribute MountainStar’s privately raised income, which makes up a third of MountainsStar’s annual operating budget.
About MountainStar Family Relief Nursery:
Nationally accredited, MountainStar Family Relief Nursery (“MountainStar”) provides crisis intervention and a therapeutic classroom for 300 babies and young children from 6 weeks to 4 years old. These children come from families with multiple risk factors for child abuse and neglect, including low income, homelessness, mental health issues, domestic violence, and substance abuse. Children at this critical age represent 40% of the victims of child abuse and are at a stage in their development when it is essential to have attached and attentive caretakers. Relief Nurseries have documented success in reducing family risk factors for child abuse and neglect, improving family functioning and self-sufficiency and reducing foster care utilization. For more information about MountainStar and its programs, please visit www.mountainstarfamily.org.
