Madison group holding International Dinner fundraiser
Jun. 5—People who enjoy foods from around the globe can satisfy their appetites at an upcoming fundraiser in Madison Township.
An international dinner will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. June 8 at Chapel United Methodist Church, which is located at 2019 Hubbard Road. The event is sponsored by the Madison Christian Ministerial Association's Relief Committee.
Guests who attend can sample cuisine from countries such as Albania, Germany, Italy, Mexico, South Korea and the United States, said Relief Committee Chairman Dick Turkenburg.
Tickets are $15 each for adults and children ages 12 or older; and $7.50 for kids under 12. Guests can buy tickets at the door, or in advance at these Madison area churches: Central Congregational Church; Chapel and Park United Methodist churches; Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; and St. Anne in-the-Fields Anglican Church.
Some of the foods will be prepared by home chefs, while a few Madison area restaurants are cooking some of their menu items. Desserts also will be available.
In addition, guests can participate in a silent auction for a raffle to win a variety of gift baskets, restaurant gift cards and homemade pies.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to two Lake County-based nonprofit organizations and two other charitable programs:
—Project Hope for the Homeless, which provides emergency shelter and related services for men, women and children.
—Forbes House domestic violence shelter.
—Madison Christian Ministerial Association Christmas baskets.
—Madison Schools Angel Fund. This program helps Madison School District students with financial needs who fall behind in their breakfast or lunch accounts at their particular school. The Angel Fund ensures that these students always will receive breakfasts and lunches.
Turkenburg said the idea to raise funds through an international dinner came from the Rev. John Germaine, a member of the Madison Christian Ministerial Association. Germaine had been involved in organizing and carrying out a similar event in the past.
"So we thought we'd give it a try," Turkenburg said.
The association's Relief Committee has conducted several other food-related fundraisers. Those endeavors included pancake breakfasts to benefit local charities; and two spaghetti dinners to aid Kentucky residents who were affected by a deadly tornado in 2021.
All money raised for tornado relief was donated to Salvation Army chapters in Kentucky, which distributed funds to residents in need.
The Madison Christian Ministerial Association Relief Committee strives to hold at least a couple of events every year to financially assist charitable organizations or programs, Turkenburg said.
"We're always looking for new ideas for raising funds," he added.
