The Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS) will host its 18th annual LCS Vegas semi-formal event this Friday at the Hilton Boston Back Bay hotel to benefit Spare Change News and CASPAR, Inc.
According to LCS Co-Presidents Allison Jorgensen and Keri Golembeski, LCS made a number of changes to this year's event, including moving the fundraiser to take place a full month earlier than last year's event and making an additional 100 tickets available for sale.
Jorgensen and Golembeski believe these changes will help make this year's event a successful one.
"We really are the only organization putting on a big event right now, so that helps to make it a popular event," Jorgensen, a junior, said.
Golembeski explained that the fundraiser will resemble a casino, where instead of winning money, students will be able to trade their chips for tickets to raffle prizes.
LCS Vegas is organized so that students don't have to stay for a certain period of time, Golembeski said.
"You can come for the first half, all of it, or just to say hello to people," Golembeski, a junior, said. "It's also nice that you can go on whichever bus you want, so you don't have to commit to a time. We think this all ends up working out really well."
Jorgensen added that the multiple activities available throughout the night contribute to the event's appeal.
"The party is made up of three connecting rooms," Jorgensen said. "We have food catered, and there is a big dance floor. And there are a ton of casino games to play."
The co-presidents hope to achieve a goal of $3,000. Last year, the fundraiser generated $5,000, which was more than they expected, they said.
This year's charity recipients are both local nonprofit organizations. Spare Change News, a local newspaper written, published and sold by homeless people, was founded in Cambridge, Mass. with the intention to show that disadvantaged people, with the proper resources, are capable of changing their societies. CASPAR is an organization based in Somerville that specializes in helping people with substance abuse problems.
"We decided to pick less well-known organizations this year, and we think that is really great," Jorgensen said.
According to Jorgensen and Golembeski, tables will be set up at the event to educate students on the missions and goals of both groups.
"We think it's important that people who come to the party know their money is going to help people in need," Golembeski said.
Last year, LCS sold 300 tickets on campus for the event, along with an additional 150 at the door, Golembeski and Jorgensen said. Because the former co-presidents believed that the event was such a success, event organizers will make 400 tickets available in advance this year.
Jorgensen believes they will not have a problem selling the extra tickets.
"If students went and had a good time at last year's party, there's no reason why they won't come back and bring their friends," Jorgensen said.
The fundraiser will begin at 9:30 p.m. and run until 1 a.m - 30 minutes later than last year's party, Jorgensen said. The first bus to the hotel will depart from the Mayer Campus Center lower patio at 9:15 p.m.
"We felt that no one came at the beginning of last year's party, so we thought pushing the time back was a good solution," Jorgensen said.
Golembeski is optimistic that students will enjoy the event.
"This event has so much going for it," she said. "It's really wonderful to see students having such a good time while helping others."
