By Brendan Rees
Get ready to revisit an era of neon leggings, big hair and bold colours in what’s shaping up to be a big fundraiser party in Cranbourne.
Assisting Casey Education (ACE) Foundation, which provides a helping hand to disadvantaged students across Casey, is inviting the community to step back in time for an 80s themed event at Cranbourne Turf Club on Saturday 20 October.
Money raised will go towards children to overcome hurdles in their educational pursuits by providing free eye tests with optometrists in Casey, meal replacement drinks and reading books.
Live and silent auctions will take place throughout the night with a treasure trove of donated items and experiences up for grabs.
The foundation’s chair, Dr Leon Shapero, said the night will be perfect for guests to light up their dancing shoes and help raise money to improve the lives of young people.
“We have about 100 different silent auction items for bidding on but we also have some public auction items,” he said.
“The main public auction item for bidding is two business class return tickets to London provided by Singapore Airlines. They’re valued between $13000 and $14000.
“We can say hand on heart that every dollar that we get in reaches a child,” he said.
More than 450 children have been provided with glasses since the Foundation’s free eye testing program started two years ago.
“It’s so easy for kids to fall off the radar and not be able to see well,” Dr Shapero said.
Members of the Foundation also visit schools across Casey once a month to deliver 2500 meal replacement drinks.
Zoe Warren from Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre and Casey Stadium have also assisted the the ACE Foundation in supplying donation bins whereby the public is invited during August to donate Up and Go meal replacement drinks for the ‘Feed Hungry Minds’ program.
Every prep student in government schools are also provided a reading book by the Foundation to kick-start their learning development.
Tickets ($120 per person) for the fundraiser dinner can be purchased via the ACE Foundation Facebook page. Cost includes food, alcohol and entertainment.
The night will run from 6pm-midnight.
