DANVILLE, Il. (Chambana Today) — The Vermilion River Beer Company is hosting the 28th annual “Rat Pack” Christmas Party that plans to benefit two local charities, The Women’s Shelter at Crosspoint Human Services and Rose’s Food for the Children Backpack program at 4 p.m. on December 17th at 103 N. Vermilion Street.
The event is set up to be a “party for a good cause” with the hopes that attendees will bring either monetary donations or gifts of goods from lists provided by both organizations.
Items needed to help benefit the Women’s shelter at Crosspoint Human Services include toiletries and bedding and this year, donors are asked to give from the heart and include special gifts for those who would appreciate them.
Food for the Children, is ran by community icon, Rose Gates. With child hunger being a big reality right here in our own community, Rose and her friends have answered the call to help. Beginning as one individual, sending a handful of students home with a backpack of food for the weekend, the cause has grown exponentially to provide services as a team throughout Vermilion County.
Peter Blackmon, who is part owner of Vermilion River Beer Company, created the event nearly 30 years ago, with the idea that people enjoy being charitable as much as enjoying the celebration of fellowship during the Holidays. “It’s easy to throw a party,” Blackmon said. “But what is surprising, is how equally easy it is to convince people to be charitable. When you play to the inherent good in people during this season, they understand, without hesitation, that there are plenty less fortunate that could use our help.”
Blackmon also noted that “Rat Pack” is a term of endearment to the half dozen transplants to Danville that first started the event in the late 1990s. The tradition has carried on to those who continue to help through the years.