OXFORD – While there will be plenty of decadent baked goods on sale during the Oxford Community Youth Center’s fundraiser on Friday, make no mistake – this event is definitely not your average bake sale.
The non-profit organization, which has been providing structured, supervised activities for Oxford’s youth for the last quarter century, is hosting “A Family Celebration” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Oxford Academy Performing Arts Auditorium in the High School.
Proceeds from the event, which will feature a Cupcake Euphoria pre-show followed by a musical storytelling performance by Bells & Motley Olden Music and Storytelling, will support the Youth Center’s After School Program.
According to Linda LaRosa-Mosner, who serves on the organization’s board of directors, the after school program provides a supervised setting for 40 Middle School students in grades 5 to 8, at no charge to parents. Not only will the money raised during the Family Celebration be used to continue operation of program, now in it’s twelfth year, but may help the organization broaden the program’s reach.
“Currently the After School Program operates Monday through Thursday on the days when school is in session,” she explained. “A goal is to expand.”
Rather than simply hold a fundraiser, she and the other board members decided to plan a community-focused event to support the cause.
“(We) wanted to do something to bring families in the community together to kick off the holiday season,” said Mosner. “Then a very holiday-like thing happened! The community came together to make the event happen.”
Because, as Mosner explained, “a great performance demands decadent desserts,” the fundraiser will commence at 6 p.m. with Cupcake Euphoria, featuring fanciful baked goods provided by a number of area restaurants, bakeries and specialty shops.
“This event offers vendors a chance to showcase the delicious products they have to offer for holiday entertaining or gift certificates,” said Mosner, explaining her belief that the fundraiser will be a win-win for all involved.
According to the organizer, businesses who have contributed sweets for sale include Baker’s Maple, The Bohemian Moon, Café Connection, Canasawacta Country Club, Carmen’s Family Restaurant, DCMO BOCES Culinary Department, Fred’s Inn, Garf’s Deli, Good Fella’s Bakery, Gus’ Steakhouse, Hoppie’s Ice Cream Parlor, Houndstooth Bakery & Boutique, La Maison Blanche Bakery Café, Mr. Chubbs, North Star Café, P&C, The Parson’s Daughter, Price Chopper, Studebaker’s and WalMart.
Mosner also enlisted the help of High School Art Teacher Joni Eaton, who along with her art students and members of the drama club, are creating the ambiance for the event.
The cupcakes, which will be served by culinary students from DCMO BOCES, will be sold for $1 each, Mosner explained. All proceeds will support the After School program.
Following Cupcake Euphoria, those who attend the Family Celebration will be treated to a 7 p.m. performance by Bells & Motley Olden Music and Storytelling, featuring Sondra and John Bromka. The musical storytelling duo, who use a number of historic instruments and costuming, will perform “Who Has Heard the Wind” and “The Boy Who Went to Visit the North Wind.”
According to Mosner, this portion of the evening has been made possible with public funds from the New York State Council of the Arts, administered through the Chenango County Council of the Arts.
The Oxford Community Youth Center’s Family Celebration will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday in the Oxford Academy and Central Schools Performing Arts Auditorium, 50 S. Washington Ave. in Oxford.
Admission of $2 per person, or $1 plus a non-perishable food item for the Oxford Food Pantry, will be charged at the door.
For more information on this and other Youth Center events, call 843-5922.