A crowd of 135 people gathered at Elgin Community College’s Building E on Saturday night for the third annual Dessert First fundraiser.
The event was run by Central Music Boosters, a non-profit organization that strives to enhance, enrich and support Central Community Unit School District 301 vocal and instrumental music programs such as marching band, concert band, choir, Vocal Velocity, plays and musicals.
Dessert First this weekend was an adults only event that raised funds for arts programs at Central High School and Central Middle School in Burlington and Prairie Knolls Middle School in Elgin.
According to Theresa Rytlewski, Boosters president, this year marked the first time that Dessert First was held at the college. It was previously held at Porter’s Pub in Elgin.
“We started planning for this event in the summer,” said Jacki Dell, Boosters vice president. “We got our venue in the fall.”
“We are excited about this event and the support it brings,” said Jim Struyk, Central High School band director. “It creates community awareness.”
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Struyk noted that the fundraiser was held during Music in Our Schools month.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of appetizers and desserts.
Appetizers prepared by the college included: cheese and crackers, vegetable crudites and dip, mini meatballs, bruschetta, mini quesadillas, mini eggrolls and fruit.
Desserts were donated by: Herb’s Bakery, Elgin; Graham’s 318 Coffeehouse, Geneva; The Cocoa Cabana, West Dundee; Divine Desserts Soup to Nuts, Geneva; Chez Moi Café & Catering, Geneva; Smallcakes Cupcakery, Naperville, and Polka Dot Bakery, Sycamore.
There were chocolates, a layer cake, two-tier cake, chocolate mousse cups, a guitar cake, cake pops and cookies.
Windy City Dueling Pianos, Naperville, provided musical entertainment by pianists Charlie Cruce, owner of Cruce Entertainment, and Andrew Blendermann.
“We play a variety of tunes and take requests,” Cruce said. “We offer sing-alongs and dance-alongs.”
Fifty percent of the tips given to the pianists on Saturday were donated to Central Music Boosters.
There were 100 donated items up for auction that included: artwork by Central High students, overnight stays at hotels and resorts, restaurant meals, lessons by District 301 music teachers, tickets for sports events and family outings, reserved parking for home football games, reserved seating for the 2015 Central High graduation, a custom made quilt and music bench, wine rack with wine, and gift baskets.
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter