Event raising funds to help stop MNT

Cheesecake isn’t exactly a health food, but eating it as part of the Wine and Cheesecake Event Friday could help eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT).

“This disease causes such suffering. For $1.80 per person, we can prevent it,” said Tim Burchill, president of the Kiwanis Club of Jamestown. “… our hope is that we can raise a good chunk of our goal for our project at this event.”

The Wine and Cheesecake Event will be the first in the area raising money for the Eliminate Maternal/Neonatal Tetanus project, and it will include a performance by Alexis Barnick, of Jamestown, an “American Idol” contestant.

“Seating is limited,” noted Katie Ryan-Anderson, co-chair of the Eliminate Project Committee.

A social hour begins at 7 p.m., with Barnick’s performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from any Kiwanis member, or by calling 251-8888.

Vanilla, raspberry swirl, vanilla chocolate layer and chocolate chip cheesecake donated by Ave Maria Village will be served at the event, along with a variety of wines donated by local liquor stores.

There will also be a silent auction during the event, with a variety of upscale items including wine and cheesecake, jewelry, a print of a photograph by John M. Steiner and gift baskets.

The Kiwanis Club of Jamestown hopes to raise $5,000 a year for four years, joining a nationwide Kiwanis effort to help battle MNT, a painful and deadly form of tetanus which affects mothers and children in 40 developing nations.

“When you pair Alexis Barnick with an event like this, people are interested. People are good… they want to help if they can,” Burchill said.

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be reached at 701-952-8453 or by email at klucin@jamestownsun.com

Tags: community, benefits