We know Miami Valley residents give a greater share of their incomes to charity than Ohioans from other metro areas according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Funds raised from these events help feed the hungry, provide support for the arts and cultures of our town and make Dayton a great place to live, work and play. In order to help you plan your fall philanthropy, we’ve picked out 12 of our favorite September fundraisers for you to add to your calendar:
AlterFest!
Fri Sept 4th 7pm – 12M,
Sat, Sept 5- noon – 12m,
Sun Sept 6- 1pm – 12am,
Mon, Sept 7th noon-6pm
Alter Family Fun Fest is an Alter Booster sponsored fundraiser for Archbishop Alter High School at 940 E. David Road in Kettering , Ohio. Hundreds of volunteers made up of parents, past parents, students, faculty and friends give endless hours to raise money for the school. Rdes and games for Kids, Blackjack and Texas Hold’em, Big 6 and Showdown for adults. Entertainment all weekend long!
BRAVO! Champagne Brunch and Fashion Show
Friday, Sept 11th at Sinclair Ponitz Center 1oam
Chair Cindy Gaboury and her committee are planning an opulently orchestrated show leveraging the Oriental flavor of Dayton Opera’s November production of Madame Butterfly. This annual fundraiser of the Opera Guild to support its many educational programs and Dayton Opera; boutique shoppingThey will present exciting styles from Chico’s of Oakwood and their partner company Soma. Fantastic custom luxury mensware will be featured from J. Hilburn. The 2015 winner of our Tri-State College Vocal Competition, tenor Joshua Blue, will entertain. He will be accompanied by Jeff Powell. Shaun Yu from Discover Classical as o Master of Ceremonies. $55-$75 tickets
The Dayton Greek Festival
Fri, Sept. 11 – 11am to 11pm,
Sat, Sept. 12 – 11am to 11pm
Sun, Sept. 13 – 11am to 6pm
Celebrate the 57th annual Greek Festival the weekend after Labor Day. A Greek tradition for both the young and old, this festival brings together people of all backgrounds to celebrate all things Greek: the food and pastries, unique Boutique items, cooking demonstrations, imported beer and wine, craft beer, live music, dance performances, and tours of our beautiful church. Fun activities for the kids at Zorba Zone and take a chance on the $5,000 raffle prize. There is something for everyone. Be Greek for the day. OPA!
The Italian Fall Festa
Fri, Sept. 11 – 6pm to 11pm
Sat, Sept. 12 – noon to 11pm
Sun, Sept. 13 – noon to 8pm
A weekend of wonderful Italian music, great Italian food, good friends, and a fun game of Bocce on the beautiful, spacious, shaded grounds of Bella Villa Hall on County Line Road in Kettering. Bocce courts open all weekend for open play. Watch the Bengals & Browns on large screen TV’s. The Meatball Madness 5K is Sunday at 10am and the Spaghetti Eating Contest is Sunday at 3pm. Festa Parking is located at Reynolds and Reynolds Parking lot at the corner of Reseach Blvd and County Line Road. Parking and shuttle service to and from the grounds is FREE of CHARGE!
Buttercream Festival
Fri, Sept 11 7:30pm Hot Air Balloon Glow
Sat, Sept 12 8am – 7pm
Come celebrate the wonderful city of West Carrollton Ohio at the Buttercream Festival 2015! The Cupcake 5K starts off the event, a cake display contest, a Little Miss Buttercream pageant, a hunks and ladder demonstration, a Valor martial arts performance, a Veterans recognition ceremony, cake decorating showcase, vendors from around the area with booths featuring food, retail products, arts and crafts, community organizations and live music and entertainment throughout the day as well as tons of SWEET TREATS for you to enjoy! Free of charge event.
Folks of Dayton Music Festival
Sat, Sept 12 noon – 10pm
Great Bands for a Great cause! Come enjoy some groovy tunes, food, 50/50 raffle and festive fellowship. Bands include Brown Street Breakdown, Rosie Carson Band, Higgins Madewell – with special guest Tom Leary and Scotty Bratcher. Food and Non-Alcoholic beverages will be availble for sale and donations.Bring Your coolers, lawn chairs, blankets. B.Y.O.B. (Adult Beverages- no glass bottles). This event takes place at the Polish Picnic Grounds at 3600 Needmore Road.
Boonshoft Bash: A Big Bang Night in the Milky Way
Sat, Sept 12 7pm – midnight
See the Museum in a whole new light as you experience an evening of fun and excitement at the 2015 Boonshoft Bash! Enjoy a reception with hors d’oeuvres and signature drinks at the open bar before heading to the edges of the universe – or at least the Museum! – as you dine in one of five astronomy-themed venues. Guests will be served a full course of learning and entertainment as they explore our Sun and Moon, discover the stories of Constellations that fill our night sky, traverse the Solar System to see all eight planets, and even hitch a ride on a Comet – before dancing the night away at the not-to-be-missed Pity Party for Pluto. And even if you can’t attend you can buy a $100 raffle ticket for a chance at the $10,000 cash prize.
Rusty’s Ride Charity Motorcycle Ride
Sat, Sept 12 10am – 5pm
All motorcycle enthusiasts and riders are invited to join the 24th annual Rusty’s Ride Charity Motorcycle Ride in memory of Buckminn’s employee, Russell “Rusty” Shearer. Presented by the Xenia H.O.G. Chapter #2703 and sponsored by Buckminn’s D&D Harley-Davidson, this event is a fundraiser that supports the efforts of the Greene Community Health Foundation. Registration begins at 10am with the last bike leaving by 12pm. All makes of bikes are welcome and the first 250 registered riders will receive a free commemorative bandana. After the ride, enjoy a meal with homemade desserts provided by Xenia H.O.G. Chapter members. At 3:00pm, a raffle and an auction will be held featuring biker-related items and gift baskets.
The Cat’s Meow
Friday, September 18, 2015 6-10:30 pm
Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! You’re invited to spend a magnificent evening with SICSA as we celebrate the good times, saving lives and sharing love! An extraordinary affair with a festive, 1920’s Creole atmosphere. James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur Anne Kearney of Rue Dumaine will provide a shrimp boil feast sure to get every cat meowing! Dance to the beat of 1920’s jazz and swing, a themed photo booth, and a silent auction made up of unique and enticing packages. Dress – Garden Party Creole Chic. This events takes place at Benham Grove in Centerville.
The Dayton Art Institute presents Oktoberfest
Fri, Sept 25 Lederhosen Lunch 11am -2 pm Preview Party 7-11pm
Sat, Sept 26 noon – 11pm
Sun, Sept 27 noon -7pm
This community event boasts an array of artisans, unique foods, ample domestic, international and craft beers, kid-friendly art activities, live music on two stages, international wines and so much more! Oktoberfest includes a fully covered Main Stage viewing area and an expanded Craft Beer tent with big-screen TVs for all the weekend football action. The ACCO Brands FamilyFest provides free art activities for the kids, from noon – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Artemis Gone Riding: Cycling to End Domestic Violence
Sat, Sept 26 8am – 1pm
The bike ride is a fun filled occasion that creates an atmosphere unlike any other fundraiser. We are proud to be riding in an effort to raise awareness of Domestic Violence in our community. Participants choose from a 10, 16, or 22 mile path and create “pedal crews” and collect pledges before the event. Registered riders will receive an event T- Shirt and enjoy a pancake breakfast, with optional VIP packages for our omelet station, mimosa bar, and beer garden. Riders and attendees will have the opportunity to pamper themselves at our various “Swag Stations.” Local vendors will also be selling art, jewelry, and other fabulous items/gifts. We will also feature a Kid’s Fun Zone, including a bounce house, face painting and other fun activities. All funds raised are used to provide vital support services to Domestic Violence victims and their children.
Greater Dayton 5K Heart Walk/Run
Sat, Sept 26, 8-11am
The Greater Dayton 5K Heart Walk/Run is the premier fundraising event of the American Heart Association. Join 9,000 of your friends and neighbors for this family fun event. The 5K non competitive walk starts at Fifth Third Field then follows a course through downtown and along the Great Miami River. The 5K timed run requires a $25 registration fee. Proceeds from this event go to support the American Heart Association mission in its fight against the no. 1 and no. 5 killers of all Americans, heart disease and stroke. The event features a health and wellness expo with health screenings and demonstrations, healthy snacks, vendors, a kids fun run and activity area, a memorial/honorary torch ceremony and a VIP survivor area.
We’ve just highlighted a dozen September fundraisers, there are certainly plenty of others organizations and events deserving of your time and money, so check our calendar for a more comprehensive list. And if you know of events we’ve missed, please submit them to our calendar.
