The Ties & Tennies Gala is an annual fundraiser from the Champaign Parks Foundation, and this year the event will be focused on funding youth scholarships. According to Chelsea Norton, Director of Marketing and Development, the demand for them has been higher this year than in any previous year. These scholarships make Champaign Park District programming more accessible to all kids in the community. Says Norton, “The need for financial assistance for programs like swim lessons, afterschool, day camps is evident and we hope this event will set us up to continue to provide that assistance for our community.”
Tickets for the event, at the I-Hotel on September 14th beginning at 5 p.m., are $100. That will get you a plated dinner, complimentary wine and beer, and entertainment from dueling pianos. Nichole Millage, Team USA Paralympic Sitting Volleyball Player, will be the featured speaker, and there will also be live and silent auctions.
You really are supposed to wear a tie (the event says your brightest) and your favorite tennies. Other than that you can be as casual or dressy as you’d like. Okay maybe there is a boundary for how casual.