The Caddyshack is gearing up for the 19th annual Strip-a-thon to benefit the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society.
The event is on Dec. 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Caddyshack staff and performers will donate their time and tips, with all money going to the Christmas Hamper.
And those who reserve seats and tables for the event will receive a free brunch – eggs, bacon, sausage and potatoes, from 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
“Everybody gets excited about this, because it’s the one day that we can focus on giving back to the community,” said Caddyshack Exotic Show Bar general manager Yvan Charette
“It’s kind of a quirky tradition in Maple Ridge, but people come out in droves. People that we haven’t seen for a long time always make an appearance that day or at least purchase a ticket to support all the families in Maple Ridge,” Charette added.
Entertainment will include 12 to 15 dancers.
There will be a live auction and a silent auction with many prizes, including Canuck tickets, a Canucks patio chair, a NFL speaker tower worth $500, a cigar box, an inflatable kayak with beach chairs, beer fridges and mirror signs and more.
Caddyshack servers will be auctioning off their bra’s again this year, an annual tradition that brings in a lot of money for the fundraiser. Three years ago a bra was auctioned off for $5,000.
One lucky patron along with a friend will win a waitress date – a complimentary lunch, including drinks, at the Haney Public House with all of the servers at the Caddyshack.
The fundraiser supplies the Christmas Hamper Society, which will have 12 volunteers helping out during the event, with a third of its annual budget.
“It pays our food bill,” explained Lorraine Bates, co-chair of the Christmas Hamper Society, adding that last years food bill was $26,300.
The hamper society helped 608 families in 2012, including 102 sponsored families. Meaning that food was provided by the Christmas Hamper Society for 506 families.
“So those ladies are dancing to fill tummies,” said Bates.
The society’s revenue last year was $80,000, but it had to go over-budget by $8,000, using a slush-fund.
“Our slush-fund is there to allow us to know that it doesn’t matter how many people apply and qualify, that we’ll be able to look after them,” Bates said.
The Christmas Hamper is a non-profit society and a member of the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau, providing toys, gifts and Christmas dinners to families who register and qualify for help. It is run entirely by volunteers.
“I continue to be in awe of what the whole organization does, right from the manager. He just believes in it,” said Bates.
“And when you have somebody in that capacity who believes in something, it always filters down into your staff. They all work so hard.
Tickets for the Strip-a-thon are $10 per person.
Seat reservations are $25 and table reservations go from $100 to $300.
Tickets can be purchased at the Caddyshack.
• For more information call 604-467-0662.