Celebrity Chef Will Get Locked Up for Fundraiser

Melbourne, Australia - Adelaide’s master chef Andre Ursini will this week be serving his handmade gnocchi from behind bars.  The owner of Andre’s Cucina and Polenta Bar has signed up to become an inmate at the Old Adelaide Gaol for the evening as part of the Whitelion Adelaide Bailout.The charity event raises money supporting outreach and education services for at-risk youth.  Ursini says Whitelion strikes a chord with him and he was eager to sign on for the lockup. “I used to do a lot of work with Anglicare helping underprivileged kids,” Ursini says.  “When I help out a charity I don’t just sign on to smile for the cameras – I’ll be taking part and supplying food as well.”  He says his time in the cell will be a chance to reflect on some of the struggles faced by youth, but there will also be plenty of time for fun. “I think I might be an unruly inmate – like I was in my teenage years.”  www.fundraisingweb.org

Box City Fundraiser for Homelessness Awareness

Hunterdon County, NJ - Family Promise of Hunterdon County’s fourth annual Box City is being “constructed” right now as participants prepare to give up their bed and comforts of home for just one night to help their neighbors in need. This is a very unique event and fundraiser for Family Promise, the county’s only homeless shelter.   Participants raise pledges to become a Citizen of Box City and then sleep in a box overnight to raise money and awareness for homelessness within the county. The event will include food, games and entertainment, and the night will conclude with an outdoor movie. Several local youth groups, families and sports teams are already hard at work designing everything from condo complexes to cul-de-sacs. Citizens will need to bring their own boxes to sleep in. Boxes are available by calling ahead to local retailers and requesting that they hold a large box to be picked up and brought to the event.  www.fundraisingweb.org

Derby Day Fundraiser

Reno, NV - The Junior League of Reno will host its third-annual “Juleps, Jockeys & Jazz” fundraising event at The Grove. The celebrated fundraiser brings community members together to support initiatives that support the League’s mission of developing the potential of women and children.  A fast‐paced and high-fashion fundraiser, Junior League of Reno’s “Juleps, Jockeys & Jazz” Derby Day attracts over 300 local leaders and community-minded attendees. This year’s event will feature a live showing of the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby along with a silent auction, horse raffle, and contest for the best Derby hat. Guests will enjoy classic mint juleps, a gracious southern-style luncheon fare and live jazz music.  www.fundraisingweb.org

Wacky Games and Costumes at Hilarious Fundraising Event

Sheffield, England - Businesses from around the region are being urged to make a knockout effort by signing up for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice’s funniest fundraising event of the year.  The charity is holding an It’s A Knockout competition based on the hilarious cult TV show from the 1970s which includes wacky games, outrageous costumes and plenty of foam!  The competition takes place at Dinnington Rugby Club on Saturday July 12. Each team needs to raise £1,000 in sponsorship and can have between 10 and 12 members. Entry is free.  Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in North Anston, Sheffield, is the only children’s hospice in South Yorkshire.  www.fundraisingweb.org

Bone Appetit Fundraising Event

Washburn, KS - Helping Hands Humane Society is putting on another Bone Appétit fundraising event. This year’s theme is Paws Vegas. Guests can participate in a silent and live auction and watch adoptable dogs walk down the catwalk.  For the past 13 years, Helping Hands has been raising money to support its organization and the pets they care for. Staff and volunteers pitch in to assist with the planning and organizing of the event. Each year has a different theme.  www.fundraisingweb.org

Adult Spelling Bee Fundraiser

Oshkosh, WI - Laughter and the spirit of friendly competition filled the room at the Winnebago County Literacy Council’s Spellbound for Literacy event. The team spelling bee for adults, held in La Sure’s ballroom April 2, vigorously tested its participants’ savvy vocabularies. The Oshkosh Northwestern team took home first prize at the bee. The Oshkosh Public Library team won second place. Tied for third place were teams Stadium Spellars and Bright Ideas.  The fundraising event also included an enticing array of raffle baskets. WCLC will use proceeds from Spellbound to support adult literacy and job education in the greater Oshkosh area.  www.fundraisingweb.org