The pontoon is just one of the four grand prizes to choose from for the winner of the North Webster Community Center Heart of the Community Auction & Raffle. Some tickets are still on sale. In front, from left, Director of Operations Erin Smith, NWCC board members Janet Miller, Jon Sroufe, Todd Oesch and Dennis Wagoner. In back are Ali Smith, board members Lori Mark and Greg Schenkel and Abi Smith. The float props are courtesy of North Webster Ace Hardware.

NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Community Center is ready to present the annual Heart of the Community Annual Charity Auction and Raffle. The 2016 event will have an Italian theme with dinner provided by Bella Vitale, also known as The Cake Lady, and wine service from Tippy Creek Winery. The Sleepy Owl will also provide a cash bar service for the evening.

The event is scheduled from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Tickets cost $25 and include dinner, access to the live and silent auctions and entry into the main drawing. The ticket gets you the chance to win one of three top prizes.

Ticket holders need not be present to win. Approximately 2,000 tickets are sold annually and about 1,000 people attend the event so it is important to secure a ticket as soon as possible.

Third place is $100 a month for a year in gas from Freedom Express, second place is $200 a month for a year in groceries from NewMarket and the grand prize winner gets to choose from a $10,000 cash prize or a Sylvan pontoon with motor from Pro Wake Watersports or a Polaris General UTV from Loose Moose Motorsports or two different vacation adventure packages.

Tickets are available at several area businesses including North Webster Ace Hardware, American Legion Post 253, Loose Moose Motorsports, Sue’s Creations, NewMarket-North Webster, Tippy Creek Winery, Fuzzy’s Hideaway, The Sleepy Owl, Jill & Jennifer’s Salon of Styles and the NWCCoffice. Members of the board of directors also have them available for purchase.

Proceeds from this event will help defray the operational expenses and maintenance expenses the center has annually. NWCC is a non-profit organization that receives no tax dollars and operates entirely on grants, rental income and the good will of the citizens of Kosciusko County.

It is home to the North Webster Community Public Library, The Cake Lady Catering, Senior Primelife Enrichment Center, a branch of the Kosciusko Family YMCA, The Watershed Foundation, Synergy Massage and Lakeland Regional Sewer District.

Lakeland Kiwanis Club of North Webster, Boy Scout Pack 3726, the town of North Webster, Al-anon and local lake property associations hold their regular meetings there. NWCC also has a variety of activities and fitness programs available such as Viper Wrestling, Romp & Roll toddler movement program, bubble soccer, aiki jutsu, NatAnn Yoga, Hit 2 Get Fit Cardio Drumming, pickleball, tai chi, batting cages, a walking program and open gym.

Rental facilities of varying sizes and prices are available for banquets, wedding receptions, reunions, meetings and more.

“We have always felt very fortunate to be a part of a community that has done its best to support us and your participation in the upcoming Heart of the Community Charity Auction, whether by donating items, financial donations or buying tickets and attending the event, will help to ensure that NWCC can continue to grow and thrive,” said Jon Sroufe, founding NWCC board member.

All donations are tax deductible. NWCC is currently accepting donations at this time for the live and silent auctions. Contact Erin Smith, director of operations, for information about donating to this cause by calling (574) 834-1600, extension 221.

Parking is available on the east side of the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St. and across SR 13 behind the North Webster Church of God.