The Pineapple Gala, an annual fundraiser benefitting Camp Courageous in Monticello, is set for Friday, Aug. 20, at the DoubleTree Convention Center in downtown Cedar Rapids.
The event, now in its 42nd year, will begin at 6 p.m.
This year’s event will honor the longtime relationship between WMT and Camp Courageous. Camp Courageous and WMT have had a relationship spanning nearly 50 years, beginning with people like Tait Cummins, who had a son with special needs. After Mr. Cummins passed away in 1984, Leo Greco stepped up to fill his shoes in support of Camp Courageous.
Mr. Greco would have turned 100 this year, and to celebrate the occasion, his son, Lance Greco, will be an emcee for the gala. This year is also the 70th anniversary of the marriage of Tait and Dottie Cummins, and representing them as an emcee will be their friend, Camp Courageous CEO Charlie Becker.
The evening will also include the induction of Randy Lee, the most recent program manager of WMT who retired in June, onto the Camp Courageous Honorary Board, the camp’s highest honor. Mr. Lee will be joining the ranks of Tait Cummins, Leo Greco, and Rick Sellers. Mr. Sellers, another former WMT program manager, is planning to retire from the radio business this year.
A Hawaiian dinner, entertainment, and a grand door prize, a trip for two to Hawaii, at the end of the evening are also planned for this year’s Gala. Tickets are $60 each or a table of 10 for $600. Auction items can be donated, or tickets can be obtained through camp, by calling Charlie Becker at (319) 465-5916, ext. 2100 or e-mailing him at cbecker@campcourageous.org
The camp’s annual pineapple sale fundraiser at area Hy-Vee stores also continues through Aug. 11.
Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with special needs. Now in its 47th year, Camp Courageous serves nearly 10,000 individuals with special needs annually.
