50+ Lifestyles

15th CASI Holiday Hat Bash: A Party with a Purpose

Thursday, November 16
5:30 – 9:00 pm

By Laura L. Kopp, MS
CASI President/CEO

It is hard to imagine that the holiday season is just weeks away. At CASI, we are deeply engaged in preparing for a grand celebration of CASI’s 50th Anniversary and the 15th year of Hat Bash with the biggest party yet! We start with a new Pre-event Peer-to-Peer fundraiser (September 26 to October 15) called Pass the Hat for Hat Bash. Gwen Tombergs and Decker Ploehn will lead teams of supporters to see who can raise the most funds for CASI during that two-week period. If you would like to join the effort, visit www.PassTheHatForCASI.org to learn more.

Fifteen years ago, Lenora did not realize that her letter of thanks to CASI would spur the beginning of Hat Bash and the Senior Secret Santa program which ensures that close to 1,000 area seniors receive a gift at holiday time. Knowing that every senior, many of whom really need a gift, would not have anyone to give them one has given CASI the inspiration to raise the most funds possible through Holiday Hat Bash year after year.

“I want to thank you for my gifts, my only ones. It means a lot to be remembered.” Love, Lenora, 88 years old.

In 2023, following Pass the Hat for Hat Bash, CASI’s Hat Bash will include an online auction (available for preview starting in October) with bidding starting the week before Hat Bash and concluding at the Hat Bash Party on Thursday, November 16, 2023. Gwen Tombergs, creator of the first Hat Bash, has joined us to chair the event for this 15th year. We hope that you will make plans to join us that evening at CASI when we will once again celebrate seniors with delicious food provided by seven of our exceptional senior living communities, plenty of wonderful desserts and drinks, festive hats, and a fun evening with music DJ Red Hot Brian Scott and MC Decker Ploehn. Tickets will be available starting in October and this will be a sell-out year. Visit www.HolidayHatBash.com for details, to check out the online auction, and to order tickets to the Party with a Purpose.

100% of the proceeds from the Holiday Hat Bash are used to support our CASI Senior Secret Santa Program and CASI’s mission services throughout the year. Our services include Jane’s Place Adult Day Services, providing day services for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and Senior Advocacy, connecting low-income seniors in our community with support and services they need to remain independent and in their homes for as long as possible. Hat Bash supports the needs of seniors year-round. That is why your participation in supporting this holiday tradition is so important. Join us!

Laura L. Kopp, MS is President/CEO of CASI, located at 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA  52806. For information call (563) 386.7477 or email info@CASIseniors.org.