‘Meet the Mariners’ dinner big hit
Carrie Pichler
Meet the 2014 Mission Valley Mariners team, all dressed up.
Carrie Pichler
Mission Valley Mariner Alex Killian serves guests at the dinner.
Carrie Pichler
The Mission Valley Mariners don fancy duds to serve up similarly sophisticated grub at a fundraiser.
Carrie Pichler
Shelley Croft directs a Mariner server.
Carrie Pichler
Janet Young and Shelley Croft organized the fundraising dinner for the Mission Valley Mariners.
Carrie Pichler
Twinkling lights and elegant place settings met guests at the Mission Valley Mariners black-tie dinner.
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RONAN – The Mission Valley Mariners hung up their cleats, put away their bats, and donned black ties for their first big fundraiser of the year. Organized and hosted by Mariners fundraising chair Shelley Croft, “Meet the Mariners” black tie dinner grabbed big smiles and a few extra dollars for the American Legion baseball team. Guests were treated with dinner served by the dapper young ball players, a silent auction and a chance to get a peek at the 2014 Mariners team.
“Everyone deserves a pat on the back,” Croft said about her team of volunteers. “It was amazing.”
The Ronan Community Center was decked out in elegant fashion that gave the event a sense of sophistication, yet still held on to a baseball theme with jerseys hanging on the wall and Cracker Jacks box vases holding carnations as centerpieces. All decorations were donated by St-Cha-Ro Floral in Ronan.
“They were instrumental in decorating,” Croft said. “We can’t thank them enough.”
The tri-tip dinner was prepared by Mark Andrews, and the Mariners acted as the evening’s servers. Each player also stood before the dinner guests and introduced himself. Though some were a bit shy, a few of the seniors managed to get a laugh or two out of the crowd.
“I think the boys did a fantastic job,” Croft said. “They were nervous at first with a couple of wobbly plates, but had it made thereafter.” Glacier Brewery provided refreshments and brought some laughs at the bar. “Those guys were great,” Croft said.
In trying to keep players fees low, the Mariners rely on community support to keep the program alive. All fundraising and donations go directly to the program to pay for bussing the players to the many tournaments held around the state, lodging for the kids, uniforms, and the all-important upkeep of the field. The fundraiser raised about $9,000, one of the biggest yet for the Mariners, with the help of close to 200 people that came to show their support. Croft would also like to give a big thank you to the two “Gold Sponsors,” Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson and St. Luke Community Healthcare in Ronan.
Mariners’ President Janet Young was impressed with the turnout as well as the support given by parents and fans.
“It really was cool,” she said. “Thank you.”
And as for Croft, Young couldn’t give enough praise. “She really knows how to put on a shindig.”
The Mariners are expecting to have a successful season with a mostly senior team. Many of the boys have already received college letter of intents and the Mariners plan to see more. The M’s will kick off their season with a game in Kalispell against the AA Kalispell Lakers April 27. For more information and a full A and B team schedule, please visit www.mvmariners.com
