Community center preps for annual fundraiser

Residents will be raising the roof with laughter Saturday night during the Hartley Community Center's Annual VIP Supper.

This year's entertainment features Improv Falls, a comedy group whose performance style resembles the hit comedy show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

"We wanted to try something different than what we've done the past years but stick with a fun comedy theme," said Brittany Dolphin, community center manager. "They are very interactive and get the crowd involved."

While jokes will be plentiful Saturday night, the past three years have been nothing to laugh about for the community center.

Dolphin said the facility was ravaged by pandemic-related closures in 2020. Events were forced to cancel and the building sat empty for several months

With the pandemic in the rearview mirror, the community center is still trying to find its footing and book more events. Dolphin said it's been a tough road to hoe – many couples are opting for smaller wedding receptions or different locations such as barns or venues in the Lakes area, a trend that has tightened finances for the Hartley Community Center.

"We still haven't been able to bounce back [from the pandemic]. Beyond PPP loans, there wasn't any opportunities for grants or support for event centers," Dolphin said. "People are not using the community center in the capacity they were 10 years ago. Covid was a very big hit to something that was already dwindling."

Money generated from Saturday's fundraiser won't be used for lavish projects – Dolphin said the board of directors plans to use it on monthly utilities, insurance and normal upkeep.

Still, upgrades are on the wish list.

"We are still wanting to work toward getting newer, lighter tables that are easier to move and store," Dolphin said. "The ones we have are close to 40 years old and aren't in the best shape."

The VIP Supper will conclude the community center's biggest month. In addition to Saturday's event, the facility also played host to the Hartley Community Daycare Center's fundraiser and the Pheasants Forever banquet.

Dolphin said the outlook for summer bookings hovers around one to two wedding receptions per month and multiple small-room gatherings in between. Additionally, the facility has been holding smaller fundraising events throughout the year in order to generate more money and keep the facility operational.

Dolphin hoped people would turn out this weekend to support the community center and invest in its future.

"The community center is used for almost every benefit, fundraiser, blood drive and a place for multiple organizations to meet that would otherwise have no common area to meet," she said. "Community support is crucial to the success of these events and we appreciate everyone who has attended or supported us in any way."