50+ Lifestyles

CASI Holiday Hat Bash

By Trish Burnett
Marketing Director
Center for Active Seniors (CASI)

The joy of children opening presents under the tree gives us that warm holiday feeling, but there are seniors in our
community, who don’t receive any holiday presents and the holidays can be a very difficult time for them. There are also seniors who need help throughout the year and are alone and not sure how to get the help that they need.

Six years ago, Gwen Tombergs stepped up to help meet the needs of Quad City area seniors. Gwen recruited friends and family members and started the Hat Bash. Her vision was a “party with a purpose” encouraging Quad Citians to be part of a big holiday party, the Holiday Hat Bash, but with a purpose—to raise funds to help seniors at holiday time and all year long.

This year, the sixth annual Holiday Hat Bash presented by Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors will be held on Thursday, November 20 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at CASI. Gwen and her family and friends will be there—along with more than 600 other caring Quad Citians. Some will be wearing crazy, creative hats (fun, but optional), and they will be supporting our seniors by purchasing raffle tickets, bidding on auction items, and participating in the Necker’s Diamond Derby. The night will be fun and festive, but it is the purpose that counts. This year our goal is to raise $45,000 to help area seniors.

What can $45,000 do? A lot. $600 will provide one year of advocate services to a senior; $3,000 will provide the opportunity for a senior with Alzheimer’s or dementia to attend Jane’s Place one day a week for an entire year; $24 will provide one senior with a one year membership to CASI.

Money from the Hat Bash is also used to purchase supplies and provide activities for seniors. Last year CASI held more than 7,000 activities attended by more than 3,000 area seniors. The need for senior services continues to grow as the “silver tsunami” of baby boomers expands. That $45,000 can make a difference in the lives of many seniors all year long.

I encourage you to save the date of November 20 and make the CASI Holiday Hat Bash part of your holiday tradition. You’ll enjoy the festivities, but more importantly you’ll enjoy the feeling of helping others—and that is the true holiday spirit.

What: CASI Holiday Hat Bash
When: Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: CASI 1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport, Iowa
Tickets: $35 in advance, $40 at the door – online tickets sales start in October
More information: www.hatbash.com or call CASI at (563) 386-7477.