By Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
December 2, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — This year, Whatsoever Community Center’s Holiday Auction Fundraiser is going to focus on the past.

Charlie Gascich, executive director of the community center, said the center is incorporating its centennial celebration with its annual holiday fundraiser. The celebration, now in its 28th year, will kick-off at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at the community center, 1201 Ewing Ave., and includes both silent and live auctions, live music, dinner, and a raffle with the big prize of a three-day trip to Las Vegas at a five-star hotel with airfare provided.

“We tried to enhance folks’ interest with that prize,” Gascich said.

The auction also includes Whatsoever mementos, such as old keys, football helmets and other items used throughout the history of the community center.

“It should be a good time,” Gascich said.

Gascich noted the fundraiser takes place the first Friday in December and has done so every year since it started. The money raised during the holiday fundraiser helps the community center helps offset some of the operating costs. The event doesn’t just help the community center, but also the attendees, too.

“People do a lot of their Christmas shopping here because there are a lot of great things auctioned off every year,” Gascich said.

Since this year also marks the 100 year anniversary of when the community center opened, Gascich said they’ve been treating it differently from past years, as evidenced by the planning, which began at the beginning of the year.

“It’s a tough time of year but we’re thankful for all the folks who help out,” Gascich said.

Although tables have already been reserved, anyone can still walk-in Friday. Gascich said extra tables will be set-up for those who choose to attend at the last minute. If you wish to attend, a table for 10 people is $300 or $35 per person at the door. For more information on the event, visit http://www.whatsoevercenter.org/.