WESTFIELD — With a renewed vision, WMCD Inc. will host several upcoming fundraisers to support its cause of youth having fun while building leadership skills and making a difference in the community.
“Our biggest fundraiser of the year is a FunnyRaising Comedy Show presented by Jess Miller Comedy Shows and benefiting WMCD Inc.,” explained Dominic Monti, who is in charge of marketing for the organization that runs the Western Massachusetts Charity Dance-athon. “The energy in the room is going to be electric. It’s set to be a fun, relaxing, but uplifting evening that reminds us why it’s so important to give back to our community.”
The Nov. 23 show will feature comedians Linda Belt, Timothy Lovett and Kathe Farris. The evening will also have a variety of raffle baskets, a cash bar and a dinner buffet — all to raise money for local charities chosen by the teen leaders of WMCD.
The Westfield-based organization hosts annual 25-hour teen all-nighters that raise money for charities. Its mission is to get youth involved in charity work so that it becomes a routine staple in their lives as adults.
“Through this event, we work to garner community support for charitable causes selected by youth involved with our organization,” explained Monti. “At the conclusion of the all-nighter, we hold a grant presentation ceremony, where the middle and high school students listen to our selected recipients talk about the impact of their donations. In today’s world, we’re building on this opportunity to create an environment where students have the opportunity to understand that bettering their community can be fun, rewarding and memorable.”
Although they aren’t old enough to attend the comedy show, it is the teenagers who choose what charities benefit from it.
“When WMCD’s grand total is announced, we will split the proceeds evenly among the number of recipients our youth selected,” said Monti. This year’s recipients will be Griffin’s Friends, Rick’s Place and Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts.
Griffin’s Friends is a Springfield-based organization that helps children with cancer. Rick’s Place, of Wilbraham, provides grief support to school-aged children and their families through grief groups, professional development for schools and resources. Springfield-based Rachel’s Table is working to fight food insecurity in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
In addition to making the decisions about which charities to support, the teens make significant contributions and plans for the organization.
“Our youth team is composed of a dozen middle and high school students who meet regularly to decide the themes, menus, decorations, shirt colors, and other important decisions regarding our all-nighters,” explained Monti. “The teenagers in our organization also play critical roles in promoting our events, attending our fundraisers, and sharing our mission with their peers to make the biggest impact we can in the community.”
Founded in 2021, WMCD Inc. came about as a way to empower youth. The annual all-nighter includes food, games, dancing, karaoke and other activities to engage the teenagers. Through its previous three events, the group has raised $68,505 for local charities.
In addition to the comedy show, the organization will host a quarter auction in October and a pancake breakfast in December, and registration for the 2025 all-nighter will open on Jan. 10.
The “This & That Quarter Auction” is 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27, at East Mountain Country Club, 1458 E. Mountain Rd., Westfield. This second annual event includes a raffle and an auction — participants should bring quarters — with items available for $1 or less.
The comedy show takes place at East Mountain Country Club on Nov. 23. The show begins at 8 p.m. and doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for dinner. Tickets are $25 for the show and $15 for the dinner buffet.
The third annual holiday pancake breakfast is 8-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Youth Rec Center on the grounds of Blessed Sacrament Parish at 127 Holyoke Rd., Westfield. Tickets are $10 at the door ($5 for children ages 6-12, free for children under 6), or in advance at wmcd.ticketspice.com/pancake-breakfast. Attendees will enjoy pancakes and bacon, holiday-themed backdrops for photos, raffles and a visit from Santa Claus.
More information can be found at wmcd.org.
