Kiddin’ Around, a nonprofit organization founded in 2021, will host its first first Dine and Dash — Chef’s Night Out fundraising event in downtown Centralia on Thursday, July 25, starting at 5:30 p.m.
The fundraiser will include Centralia eateries and chefs making exciting dishes and cocktails. The evening will feature special plates from The Juice Box, McMenamins Olympic Club, JJ's To Go, O'Blarney's Irish Pub and The Station LC Coffee Co.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.kiddinaround360.com/dine-and-dash. Tickets, which cost $100, include four dishes and two drinks from the participating restaurants. The proceeds from the event will go toward the organization’s involvement in Business Week and its driver’s education scholarship program.
“This will be so much different than other fundraisers,” said Naomi Robb, one of the founders of Kiddin’ Around. “There are some great restaurants on this corridor of Centralia that will be offering quality food and drinks.”
The evening will begin at McMenamins Olympic Club where three signature cocktails and some bites will be served before attendees make their way down the street, visiting the other businesses and enjoying the meals they have planned.
“The chefs are trying new things and are very excited about the event,” Robb said.
The night will end at The Station for coffee and dessert and to hear about the work Kiddin' Around is doing in the community. Participants will then get to vote on which plate they liked best. The winning restaurant will earn a plaque to be proudly displayed at their location until next year.
“With this event, we are trying to make fundraising a little more fun,” said team member Cameron McGee.
Kiddin’ Around was created to provide a greater sense of community for young families. In its first year, Kiddin’ Around was able to reach 5,000 kids.
“We’re small fish,” Robb said with a laugh. “We don’t have a storefront or offices. It’s just a team of us who meet regularly and organize the events.”
Because Kiddin’ Around operates remotely without overhead costs, all the proceeds go back into helping the community of kids and families who need it.
“This community is so giving,” Robb said. “We couldn’t do it without the other businesses. We rely heavily on partnership and community.”
Kiddin’ Around’s involvement in Business Week helps local youths experience a business-minded environment and learn skills such as team building, leadership and other life skills.
This year, Kiddin’ Around will be developing a new program for Business Week to better serve the students they’ll be reaching. The funds from their Dine and Dash — Chef’s Night Out event will help bring the new focus to fruition.
Business Week, held at Centralia College each year, provides Twin Cities high school students with an opportunity to work with professionals to create business plans and learn about the world of business.
Kiddin’ Around’s driver’s education scholarship will also be boosted by the event. The scholarship was created to prevent teens from falling behind their peers when funds for local driver’s education programs are not readily available.
Along with their Dine and Dash fundraiser, Kiddin’ Around will host its back-to-school event later this summer on Aug. 23 when resource tables, games and goodie bags will be available for kids.
Kiddin’ Around members thanked their sponsors for the event, including presenting sponsor, Stuart Caveness, and event sponsors McMenamins Olympic Club, the Station Powered by Lewis County Coffee Company, Pacific Mobile Structures and the Juice Box Public House.
For more information and to get involved with Kiddin’ Around’s community-driven work, visit https://www.kiddinaround360.com/ or follow the nonprofit on Facebook and Instagram.
