Kiwanis to host annual spaghetti dinner
The Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club is returning to the kitchen to cook up thousands of meatballs, hundreds of pounds of spaghetti and dozens of gallons of sauce to serve in a long-standing tradition.
The Annual Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner will return on Feb. 28 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at The Community House on Sanibel. One of the club’s major fundraisers, it will feature an all-you-can-eat Italian feast of salad, pasta and meatballs — using its special recipe sauce — garlic sticks, soda and a glass of wine.
“This is our 52nd spaghetti dinner, and it is one of the highlights of our club’s year,” President Dick Bourdow said. “It is one of our largest fundraisers, our largest club member engagement event and our largest touch of community with over 1,000 participants.”
The proceeds will benefit the Kiwanis Scholarship Awards Program and more.
“It raises the majority of the funds that we distribute to local kids, and that comes in the form of grants and scholarships,” Kiwanian Rebecca Binkowski said. “Last year, we gave out nearly $130,000 in grants and scholarships.”
Attendees will receive unlimited spaghetti, meatballs, sides and soda — and a generous pour of wine.
“We served over 1,200 spaghetti dinners last year to attendees and volunteers,” she said.
For an additional fee of $5, Bubble Room cakes will be available.
“We’ll have several delicious flavors, including Orange Crunch, Red Velvet and Very Moist Chocolate,” Binkowski said.
After dinner, attendees can enjoy music and dancing with deejay Kevin Schell.
“We’ll have live and silent auctions,” she added.
Kiwanian Tom Uhler and Sanibel artist Rachel Pierce will serve as the live auctioneers.
With 30 silent items and seven live items planned, the prizes up for grabs will include personal tours of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, lunch with Sanibel Mayor Mike Miller, a personal wildlife experience with the veterinarian at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, a ride to school in a fire protection vehicle, and more.
There will also be raffle tickets for purchase for more than 45 additional items.
“Everything from gift cards and gift baskets, to experiences,” Binkowski said. “So there’s really something for everyone.”
The club expressed its appreciation to supporters.
“We couldn’t do this without the support of our generous sponsors and community,” she said. “And special thanks to Emily Ankerson and The Community House staff for being such great hosts.”
Tickets are $20 per person, and ages under 10 are free.
Tickets are available from Kiwanis members and at Jerry’s Foods, MacIntosh Books + Paper, the Periwinkle Park office, and SanCap Pak-N-Ship.
The community is invited to secure their tickets.
“It’s the best small-town event in America,” Binkowski said. “It’s just a genuinely good time, and it’s for a great cause.”
“We truly look forward to serving our community,” Bourdow added.
For more information, visit https://sancapkiwanis.org/.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, visit online.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Annual Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner
When
Feb. 28 from 4 to 7:30 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Tickets are $20 and ages under 10 are free