Moruzziâs (speakeasy-inspired) Lounge in the basement of Ladder One Grill in Barre is not known by many. However, it was the place to be to ring in the new decade, as it served as the perfect venue for our clubâs most recent fundraising event: a âRoarinâ 20sâ NYE bash to benefit the Family Center of Washington County. By all accounts, it was a wonderful success - attendees had a great time, and after expenses were paid, we raised $2,500 in ticket and raffle sales, as well as through a fun round of 50/50 blackjack, for which our very own Caroline Earle acted as dealer!
(Editor's note; We couldnât have pulled this event off without the passion and energy of our very own Barre Rotarian, Nicole DiDomenico, who conceived of the fundraiser and relentlessly pursued her vision for this amazing event!) Assisting Nicole were our friends in the Montpelier and Northfield Rotary Clubs who were gracious to support the effort by serving as event sponsors. We also wouldnât have had the success we did without the generosity of so many local businesses that donated items or gift cards as prizes for the nightâs trivia game, raffle and costume contest:
Richard J. Wobby Jewelers
The Best Western Plus, Waterbury
Nelson Ace Hardware, Barre
The Wayside Restaurant and Bakery
Cornerstone Restaurant
Allen Lumber
Soups âN Greens
Barre Optical
Norwich Universityâs Center for Civic Engagement
Ladder One Grill
Moruzziâs Lounge
Lennyâs Shoe and Apparel
Get Up Vintage, Montpelier
Salaam Clothing, Montpelier
Simply Subs, Barre
Kinney Drugs, Berlin
AAA of Central Vermont
Twin City Lanes
Mattress Land
Woodbury Mountain Toys
Vermont Bicycle Shop
Montpelier Stove & Flag Works
Women and Children First
Vermont State Employees Credit Union
Additionally, DJ Chaos (aka Joseph Smith of Northfield) donated his DJ services all night, and the owner of Ladder One Grill and Moruzziâs, Valerie Beaudet was very generous by giving us a break on food expenses!
A big thank you goes out to all who helped plan the event, as well as to those who supported it either by attending, or purchasing raffle tickets!