Charitable foundation revives trivia nights
Trivia skills honed at family game nights during recent Stay Home, Stay Safe executive orders can now be put to the test in a more public arena, as the Macomb Charitable Foundation is reviving its trivia night events.
The organization has hosted trivia nights for about eight years, according to MCF Board Member Tracy Kowalski.
The nonprofit charitable organization Macomb Charitable Foundation (MCF) is based in Macomb Township. It is dedicated to providing assistance to homeless and poverty level children or families in Macomb County.
The organization assists with things such as rent and utilities, food, clothing, vehicle repair and personal care items. MCF President Shelly Penzien said that as schools are closed, most referrals to the organization of children in need come from area shelters and hotel managers.
“We cross reference with other social service agencies in Macomb so that services are not duplicated,” Penzien said.
She stated the MCF has not experienced an increase in requests for assistance recently, primarily because its largest referring agencies are schools.
The MCF supplied emergency services to over 115 families, equating to approximately 350 children, from March through June.
“However, the type of requests we are receiving are more dire. Most all the referrals are for emergency shelter,” Penzien said. “Families in motel lobbies with no means to pay.”
Prior to the onset of COVID-19 and related restrictions in March, the MCF was preparing to host a March 27 trivia night.
The decision to revive trivia nights was made when the governor lifted some restrictions and implemented new safety regulations for small gatherings, MCF Board Member Julie Standlick said.
MCF will host its first trivia night since the onset of COVID-19 on July 17. Trivia and music for the event will be provided by a Memory Productions DJ. Questions will come from categories of history, sports, current events, music and general knowledge. Rounds of Dead or Alive or True or False will also be included.
“DJ Dave will provide all of the questions from his socially distanced area over the room speakers,” Standlick said. “All tables will have generous seating areas and be placed more than six feet away from the other tables. Capacity will be less than half.”
The event will be held at Cracklewood Golf Club, located at 18215 24 Mile Road in Macomb Township. Check in will be at 7:15 p.m. and play starts at 8 p.m. Seating is limited. Reservations can be made at macombcharitablefoundation. org/events.html or by contacting 586-242-0509.
No entry fee is required. Instead attendees are asked to bring a $25 or more gift card for any business offering pampering services such as hair styling, massages, pedicures or facials. Suggested gift cards include those form Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Macy’s, Somerset Collection Mall or The Mall at Partridge Creek.
The gift cards will be used as prizes at future MCF fundraisers.
Standlick said that the event will be held indoors, but the MCF is looking into the option to host the event both indoors and outdoors.
“Safety standards will be strictly enforced. It is our number one concern to ensure the utmost safety for our guests,” Standlick said. “Cracklewood Golf Club is working hand in hand with us to be sure our guests follow all government guidelines and all safety standards are met.”
To learn more about the MCF and its work in Macomb County, make a donation or check on the status of its events, visit macombcharitablefoundation.org/ or facebook.com/MacombCharitableFoundation/.