GCICS members enjoy several celebrations that help raise funds for our scholarship and grants programs.  Traditionally, we host a Holiday/Christmas Party in early December in a member’s home.  With so many “gourmet chefs” in our Society, members bring dishes from appetizers to entrees to scrumptious desserts to share.  We ask that each attendee donate a dollar amount that goes directly into our scholarship account to support the Sarasota Youth Ballet, the Sarasota Youth Opera, and our local high school graduates as they go off to college.  The party provides grand fellowship, dancing, and dining.

 

A second celebration is our Mardi Gras Festa on Shrove Tuesday, the eve of the Lenten season.  Again, a GCICS member hosts the party, and all members and guests contribute to our scholarship fund while bringing delicious dishes.  While costumes are optional, most members don masks while others are in full costume attire.  We often add 50/50 raffles or basket raffles to build our scholarship coffers.