O’Hara community center hosts dinner-to-go fundraiser in place of annual Oktoberfest
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There won’t be lederhosen or steins of beer but the Lauri Ann West Community Center in O’Hara will still host its annual Oktoberfest fundraiser, albeit virtually.
Pegged as the site’s biggest night, the “Celebrate the Center” event typically transforms the Powers Run Road campus with live music, themed décor and German food.
A record crowd of 400 people joined the party in 2019.
“We’re sad that we aren’t able to safely welcome everyone this year but instead, we’re inviting people to celebrate and support the community center by ordering a family-style dinner to enjoy at home,” said Jamie Rhoades, director of development.
The meals will be prepared by Aspinwall Everyday Gourmet and come in packs of four or a “date night” for two, Rhoades said.
They will be available for curbside pickup at the center, 1220 Powers Run Road, on Oct. 2 and 3.
The cost is $100 for either the four-person or the two-person meal. The menu is pan fried chicken, penne pasta and salad for the family style four-person meal. The two-person meal is a charcuterie box, chicken breast and orzo, veggies and dessert.
A vegetarian option is available on request.
“Support will help us continue making a meaningful difference in our community through terrific programs for all ages,” Rhoades said.
They include after-school and full-day care for children and free virtual fitness classes for seniors.
Founded in 1982, the community center has grown to offer hundreds of classes each month that range from pickleball to arts to soccer. It sits on an 11-acre campus and serves people in the six municipalities comprising the Fox Chapel Area School District — Aspinwall, Blawnox, Fox Chapel, Indiana Township, O’Hara and Sharpsburg.
The center’s key fundraiser dates back several years, with past festive themes such as “Carnival” that featured games and roving jugglers. Money always is funneled to day-to-day operations as well as program scholarships.
Executive Director Anthony Allison said the Celebrate the Center event last year brought in $60,000.
“Proceeds from this year will help us sustain programs that are important to our community right now, especially our new full-day learning pods for dozens of local students who need a safe place to learn virtually,” Allison said.
Ticket sales will help to fund scholarships along with paying other costs to sustain the program for as long as the community needs it, he said.
The event also benefits the after-school program which, even with capacity limits, has been available to every family who needs it, Rhoades said.
“Many of our fixed costs, including busing, remain the same despite a much lower enrollment,” she said.
To reserve a ticket, visit lauriannwestcc.org or call 412-828-8566.