NAMI Hosting 'Cupcake Wars' Fundraiser
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The National Alliance on Mental Illness Berkshire County is offering a little cheer this cold winter week in the form of what promises to be a delicious fundraiser.
NAMI Berkshire County, a community based, nonprofit organization that supports, educates and advocates for all those in Berkshire County whose lives are affected by mental illnesses, will host its own version of "Cupcake Wars" from 5:30 to 8 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 5, at the ITAM Lodge on Waubeek Road.
NAMI Berkshire County Board President Deborah Sadowy-Dargie said she had the idea for an event in which bakeries from throughout Berkshire County compete for the best cupcake after watching the television show "Cupcake Wars."
"Wow, that would really be unique in Berkshire County," Sadowy-Dargie recalled thinking. That led to brainstorming by her and Executive Director Brenda Carpenter on how to create such an event locally.
NAMI has hosted fundraisers in the past, including a cabin fever comedy show last winter, but Sadowy-Dargie said paying for the comedians was expensive.
"We were trying to think of something that wouldn't take a big bite out of our funds raised," she said.
The answer was, ironically, something to take a bite out of.
They decided to create an event in which attendees will enjoy an Italian dinner prepared by UNICO followed by the cupcake tasting. As of Tuesday, seven local bakeries had signed on to participate (last minute entries are welcome). Each bakery will prepare 10 regular-sized cupcakes for their creative display and 100 miniature cupcakes for tasting by the attendees.
The cupcakes will be judged on criteria that include creativity, taste and appearance. In a twist from a typical eating contest, there will not be a "celebrity" panel of judges; instead, random attendees will have the chance to judge the cupcakes.
"We're really trying to be fair to all the Berkshires," Sadowy-Dargie said. "We've worked really hard to make it fair."
The cost to attend is $30 and includes the dinner as well as the cupcake tasting. Tickets can be purchased in advance by stopping by the NAMI Berkshire County Office, 333 East St, Room 417, Pittsfield, at Elm Street Hardware, 129 Elm St, Pittsfield, or online at namibc.org. Tickets also will be available at the door.
Proceeds will benefit the support groups, educational programs and other programs offered by the agency, which assists children, adults and families with mental health questions by accessing resources and services that promote understanding and recovery.
"We're really making this a community effort," Sadowy-Dargie said. "It's education and it's awareness."
And it's cupcakes. How can you go wrong with that?
"We're hoping people will just be sick of being in the house," Sadowy-Dargie said.
Tags: fundraiser,
