Warren Coalition Brings Back ‘Let’s Get Cheesy’ for a Night of Food, Laughter and Community Support

Warren Coalition is inviting the community to come hungry, bring a sense of humor, and support local programs at its second annual “Let’s Get Cheesy” fundraiser.

The event will be held on Friday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Warren Celebration Hall, located upstairs at the North Warren Fire Hall. The evening will include a five-course meal, games, music, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction featuring “Bountiful Baskets.”

Christa Shifflett, executive director of Warren Coalition, said the theme has two meanings.

“When we say cheesy, we mean your meal is going to have a lot of cheese in it,” Shifflett said. “And then we’re also going to do cheesy activities.”

Those activities may include some of the crowd favorites from last year, including what organizers described as “swinging cheese on a string,” a game that drew plenty of laughter from the audience.

Celeste Brooks explained how the game works.

“You tie a piece of string cheese on a rope, and then you wrap that around your hips,” Brooks said. “And you have to swing your hips and try to get the piece of cheese into your mouth.”

Organizers say the evening is meant to be playful, relaxed, and welcoming. Guests can play games or simply enjoy watching others play.

“We’re not going to make you do anything,” Shifflett said. “If you just want to sit and watch other people participate, then have that.”

The menu is built for cheese lovers. Planned items include a charcuterie board with help from Happy Creek, baked apple brie appetizers, meatball sliders filled with cheese from On Cue, Caesar salad, lasagna soup from On Cue, Cheddar Bay biscuits, seafood au gratin, chicken Florentine, parmesan-crusted baked potatoes, cheesy broccoli casserole, Oreo cheesecake truffles, mini lemon cannolis from Garcia & Gavino, ice cream from C & C Frozen Treats, wine, soda, iced tea and water.

Tickets are $75 each or $140 per couple. Shifflett joked that the event is not the night to count calories.

Shifflett said part of the proceeds will go toward Project Courage, a program for students in fifth through eighth grade, their siblings, and students in alternative education settings who have been victims of or witnesses to crime.

“We have 70 students in service right now,” Shifflett said. “We keep those kids. So once you’re in, it’s not like you go to eighth grade and we’re like, ‘Oh well, been real,’ and boom. They can stay till they graduate.”

She said six students in the program are graduating this year.

“So proud of those kids,” Shifflett said. “Have done well. Big dreams coming out.”

Project Courage has faced funding challenges because it is supported through the Victims of Crime Act. Shifflett explained that as crime decreases, the fines that help fund those programs also decrease.

“It was a good size,” she said of the funding cut. “We’re talking about tens of thousands of dollars of cuts that we now have to raise money for and make up so we can keep delivering this program.”

The fundraiser will also help support Warren Coalition’s DEALS HOPE program, a school-based drug prevention program. Shifflett said the program has faced a different challenge: a funding ceiling that has not changed in 14 years.

“There is no room to do anything,” she said. “It would be nice if we had some extra money to support that because she really works hard.”

Entertainment will include M.C. Pam Foster, who returns after bringing plenty of groans and laughter last year with what Shifflett called “dad jokes.” Shifflett said some guests listed Foster’s jokes as their favorite part of the evening.

“Pam Foster, the emcee, has a wonderful sense of humor,” Shifflett said. “She is just so entertaining.”

Music will be provided by Harold Chun, who will bring what organizers called “cheesy dance music.” Guests will also have the chance to bid on themed “Bountiful Baskets,” including a chocolate-themed basket and a sports adventure package with Washington Nationals tickets. A 50/50 raffle will also be held.

Several sponsors are supporting the event. Shifflett said Sysco is serving as the “Big Cheese” sponsor. Cheddar sponsors include John Avery and Warren County Veterinary Clinic. Holly Good is the “sweet” sponsor, while Gouda sponsors include Apple House, Bill Powers, the Kiwanis Club, and an anonymous donor.

More than anything, organizers say the night is meant to give people a reason to gather, laugh, and support work that continues year-round in the community.

“I feel like times have been so uncertain and there are a lot of people who are just depressed or on edge,” Shifflett said. “This night is really about just coming out. When was the last time you really had a really good belly laugh?”

Brooks said guests should feel comfortable attending however they like, whether that means dressing up, wearing jeans, or showing up in a cheesy costume.

“You come as you are,” Brooks said. “You come however you want. If you want to make a fancy night of it, go right ahead. If you want to kick back and relax, this is a night to be you.”

Tickets and more information are available at WarrenCoalition.org/Cheesy.

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