Organizers of Heat Dance, the Hollywood-style gala that each year raises money for heating assistance, anticipate a strong turnout at the Friday night event.
The four-year-old fundraiser for ECU Heat Dance exceeded expectations during its inaugural year when it drew hundreds, and organizer Tim Wallace said it has steadily attracted a crowd each year since.
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The event starts at 7 p.m. at the North Dining Hall at the University of Maine at Farmington.
Wallace said it is hard to predict turnout and how much in donations will be generated, but said each year about 250 people attend. Last year they raised $21,000 for the heating assistance program that serves all of Franklin County but Jay, which has its own heating assistance program.
The ECU Heat program in Franklin County, which provides 50 gallons of fuel for $50, reported that as of Dec. 10, it has helped heat 272 homes compared with last season when 353 were helped during the winter season.
Out of the 272 homes, 86 included someone who is disabled and 118 of the households had someone who is either over 60 years old or under the age of 2.
ECU Heat is a ministry of the Farmington Area Ecumenical Council, an organization of Franklin County churches that also runs other ministries including the Farmington warming center.
This year, the dance will include on-site babysitting for $5 per child. The four sitters are UMF college students who work at the UMF Health & Fitness Center’s Cradles and Crayons program.
The dance will be held at the North Dining Hall at the University of Maine at Farmington, which will be decorated as a Hollywood night club with a red carpet entrance.
There will be two cash bars and free hors d’oeuvres. The Homestead Restaurant again will hold a pre-dance dinner and decorate the restaurant for the occasion. If attendees buy a gold plated ticket for $20, they will get a glass of champagne and a free limousine ride to and from the restaurant to the dance.
The dance will have live music again by local dance band Shepherd’s Pie.
Tickets are available at Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers, The Calico Patch and the Homestead Restaurant. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Kaitlin Schroeder — 861-9252
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