Two very different nonprofit organizations are coming together for some fun, while raising money for both of their causes.
Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor and the Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance Corps will throw a "Casino Night" at the theater on April 13 from 7 to 11 p.m. It's the second year for the event at Bay Street, but it will be the first event where they've teamed up with the emergency service agency.
“We are so proud to be partnering with the Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance Corps,” Tracy Mitchell, the executive director of Bay Street Theatre, said in a statement on Thursday. “When I learned that the Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance donated its ambulance to Broad Channel Fire Department to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy, I was so moved, with that giving spirit, I knew we would be well served to join forces," she said.
Many don't realize, but, in Sag Harbor, the ambulance depends on fund drives to purchase its new apparatus. The agency just bought a new ambulance in October when Broad Channel lost most of its fleet in Superstorm Sandy, and so Sag Harbor decided to donate its old one to the Queens department.
“Our partnering was great timing for both of us,” Mark Poitras, a Critical Care EMT, said in the statement. “Much like Bay Street uses donations to produce spectacular cultural events, the Sag Harbor ambulance uses our donations to purchase our ambulances. Since we just purchased a new one this past year, our fundraising efforts are more important than ever."
Casino Night, once a popular event to raise money for the Sag Harbor Fire Department, is also a way to celebrate with the community. "This event is a way for us to share an evening of fun with everyone that has shown us support," Poitras said.
Eddie Downes, the president of the ambulance corps, said members were looking for different ways to raise money, when the opportunity presented itself to team up with Bay Street.
He said the two organizations will split the proceeds.
Tickets for the event are just $50 in advance online at www.baystreet.org, or $60 at the door. Each ticket includes one free drink, free munchies at the bar and $200 in “Bay Street Bucks” to play your favorite games, which will include roulette, blackjack, and Texas Hold'Em. If you run out of luck at the table, gamblers can buy more "Bucks."
“Gambling is fun when you’re not losing any of your real money,” Mitchell said, “plus you are supporting two great causes at the same time!”
