May 13, 2024
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Joliet non-profit offering ‘Romance-To-Go’ fundraiser

Place order for 3-course meal by Feb. 8

By Denise M. Baran-Unland

The 125 Holly Club Ball was held in 2014 at the Joliet Country Club. The celebration included cocktails, dinner and dancing to the music of "High Society." Last year, due to the pandemic, the club held a sponsorship program. The Holly Club is currently hosting a new fundraiser, "Romance-To-Go," in honor of Valentine's Day. (Christine Muilenburg)

Picture this lovely pre-Valentine’s Day dinner: raspberry walnut salad, stuffed chicken, parmesan mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, rolls and butter, a brownie – and an entry into a Valentine-themed raffle.

Grand prize is a stay in the 2-bedroom presidential suite at Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, from June 27, 2021, through July 3, 2021 – along with $200 in Southwest Airlines airfare.

Can it get better than this?

Yes. Because all proceeds benefit the Holly Club of Joliet, a Joliet-founded club that raises money to benefit the Joliet community.

A list of Holly Club’s philanthropic projects are listed on its website.

Deb Strahanoski, community outreach chairman and long-time member, said this new fundraiser plays right into the theme of last year’s Holly Club ball “Home for the Holly Club.”

Even though the actual in-person ball didn’t happen due to the pandemic, the Holly Club had a second plan. Each member was to host 10 guests in her home for dinner and explain the mission of the Holly Club, she said.

But when COVID numbers rose again this past fall, even plan B was set aside. Instead, the Holly Club held a sponsorship program and raised $30,000, about $10,000 less than it might have raised with the traditional ball, Strahanoski said.

“We’re really trying to make sure that we can fulfill our vision of supporting the Joliet community very well in 2021,” Strahanoski said.

That’s why the Holly Club partnered with Bella Cucina catering in Joliet to offer the Romance-To-Go dinners on Feb. 11. Here’s how to get yours.

Visit hollyclubjoliet.org and select the Romance-To-Go tab by Feb. 8.

Select how many dinners you want. Each dinner is $20 and comes with a complimentary raffle ticket. Then choose a pickup time. Five options are available.

At the appointment times, pick up your dinners at Bella Cucina, located at 800 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet.

Not hungry or already have dinner plans? Visit the Holly Club website and order just a raffle ticket for $10. Or simply donate, also through the website.

Strahanoski said the Holly Club, with its 35 active members, have continued to meet via Zoom during the pandemic. She said the club also has more than 90 patronesses (formerly active members) who are still huge supporters of the club.

“They support us all the time,” Strahanoski said of the patronesses. “During the pandemic, they really came through.”

Strahanoski is glad the Holly Club could continue its coat drive this year for Joliet Public Schools District 86. Whenever children in the district need winter coats, the district contacts the club, and the club gets the coats to the district, she said. Requests typically diminish by mid-March, she added.

“No matter if kids are in school or not in school, they need to be warm in these winter months,” Strahanoski said. “Especially with the weather we are experiencing right now.”