Harrison Township

Macomb County men have big plan with the big ‘80s in mind

By Julie Snyder
C & G Staff Writer

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Four local friends are combining their areas of expertise to put on what is expected to be Macomb County’s biggest nostalgia party of the year.

The second annual 80s Party for a Purpose, a charity fundraising party that will be held Saturday, March 10, at Total Sports in Harrison Township, will mix the hottest trends, styles and music of the 1980s in an effort to support active and retired military personnel and their families.

“This event is to show appreciation, not only for the servicemen and women and their families, but to everyone who makes sacrifices on a daily basis for us to be protected,” said Kevin Wofford, assistant coordinator of this year’s event. “And it’s a great way to give back to the community.”

Benefitting from this year’s event, which is a combination of dinner and dancing, raffles and a best-dressed contest, are Team Selfridge Military Family Assistance, an organization that provides assistance to military families in need, and Blue Star Mothers, Chapter 180 of St. Clair and St. Clair Shores.

Blue Star Mothers works with Operation Wounded Warrior, sending needed supplies to Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan; volunteering thousands of hours at the Detroit Dingell VA Hospital; sending care packages to deployed troops at various holidays throughout the year; and holding annual quilt-a-thons, which results in hundreds of quilts being sent to wounded warriors around the world.

Wofford, a resident of Clinton Township, said 80s Party for a Purpose is being held at a traditionally slow time of the year for military support organizations. “So much goes on during the holidays, but after it seems efforts fall to the way,” he said.

Chesterfield Township resident Dean Johnson, founder of 80s Party for a Purpose, said his inspiration to help Selfridge and Blue Star Mothers was the result of the efforts of two of his friends who recently returned home from overseas.

“I started this ‘80s party last year to help the Elks Club in Mount Clemens raise for their special needs children charity, and it ended up being a huge success. The Elks said it was their most successful fundraiser in 10 years,” he said, referring to the more than 250 people who attended the event to help them raise in excess of $3,200. “A lot of people wanted to know if I was going to do it again this year, so I decided throw another event for these two charities just after two of my friends returned home a couple weeks ago from Afghanistan. They told me how important efforts like these are.”

Contributing to the success of this year’s 80s Party for a Purpose are Frank Scalabrino, who will be this year’s emcee, and Paul Pirrone, who is providing his many skills for accounting purposes, as well as to book entertainment for the event and promote the event on the internet.

Local musician Eric Deluca will play ‘80s music on his guitar during dinner, and continuous ‘80s music and videos will be played throughout the night. Advance tickets are available now for $20 per person. Tickets purchased after Feb. 27 are $30 per person. Only 350 tickets are available.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. There will be door prizes, a photo booth, ‘80s trivia, and awards will be given to the best dressed male and best dressed female.

“The whole night is going to be a blast,” said Johnson. “What a fun way to give back to them (military men and women).”

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (248) 392-1460, email info@80spartyforapurpose.com or go to www.80spartyforapurpose.com.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Julie Snyder at jsnyder@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1039.