Okeechobee's Inaugural Public Safety Dinner and Dance a Remarkable Success
The Inaugural Public Safety Dinner and Dance drew residents from Okeechobee and surrounding counties, filling the Okeechobee Shrine Club at 6 p.m. Saturday. The fund-raising event supporting Okeechobee’s city and county volunteer fire departments presented an elegant, yet affordable gala for area residents. Tickets priced at $25 provided delicious prime rib, smoked chicken, fried catfish, green beans, potatoes, swamp cabbage, yeast rolls and dessert. Also, opportunities to participate in 50/50 drawings, door prize giveaways and community comradery were available. Those in attendance enjoyed an inviting atmosphere and after dinner dancing alongside representatives from city and county fire departments, city police and sheriff departments, city and county administrative representatives, several local business participants and townsfolk.
According to Chuck Akers, event organizer, the support and sponsorship from local businesses like Nutmeg’s Café, Lightsey’ Restaurant (donating dinner and dessert), Eli’s Western Wear, Gilbert Outdoors, Quail Creek Plantation, Okeechobee Magazine, Zachery Taylor RV and The Sign Guy (donating door prizes, raffle items and event services) aided in the events realization. Keith Tomey, Shrine Club president and former fire chief, providing the venue, lowered the event budget, making it possible for the monies raised to advance the firefighters’ fund.
Akers praised the assistance he received from Susanne Caldwell, Okeechobee county fire department treasurer. “She is responsible for much happening this evening; I could not have done it without her” Akers stated. When asked about their success, Akers stated, “I would be happy with a 100 attending…. ticket sales started slow… but this last week the phone kept ringing and ringing.” When the turnout topped 140, nearing venue capacity, Akers slated the event for a repeat performance in 2020.
The Inaugural Public Safety Dinner and Dance drew residents from Okeechobee and surrounding counties, filling the Okeechobee Shrine Club at 6 p.m. Saturday. The fund-raising event supporting Okeechobee’s city and county volunteer fire departments presented an elegant, yet affordable gala for area residents. Tickets priced at $25 provided delicious prime rib, smoked chicken, fried catfish, green beans, potatoes, swamp cabbage, yeast rolls and dessert. Also, opportunities to participate in 50/50 drawings, door prize giveaways and community comradery were available. Those in attendance enjoyed an inviting atmosphere and after dinner dancing alongside representatives from city and county fire departments, city police and sheriff departments, city and county administrative representatives, several local business participants and townsfolk.
According to Chuck Akers, event organizer, the support and sponsorship from local businesses like Nutmeg’s Café, Lightsey’ Restaurant (donating dinner and dessert), Eli’s Western Wear, Gilbert Outdoors, Quail Creek Plantation, Okeechobee Magazine, Zachery Taylor RV and The Sign Guy (donating door prizes, raffle items and event services) aided in the events realization. Keith Tomey, Shrine Club president and former fire chief, providing the venue, lowered the event budget, making it possible for the monies raised to advance the firefighters’ fund.
Akers praised the assistance he received from Susanne Caldwell, Okeechobee county fire department treasurer. “She is responsible for much happening this evening; I could not have done it without her” Akers stated. When asked about their success, Akers stated, “I would be happy with a 100 attending…. ticket sales started slow… but this last week the phone kept ringing and ringing.” When the turnout topped 140, nearing venue capacity, Akers slated the event for a repeat performance in 2020.
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