Greetings from Ney Nature Center! We are preparing for our 16th annual Fall Fling Fundraiser. As I reflect back to the first ever Fling fundraiser, I am overwhelmed by how far this amazing event has come. The board, with me newly hired into my position as a part time director, was ready to begin planning the first fundraiser dinner, held in the Nature Center’s education building with Art & Barb Straub as our featured speakers; they will forever be my favorite speakers. The Fling was originally held in the Spring, the first one being April of 2008. With approximately 60 guests we quickly realized our event was a success, we couldn’t fit anymore people into the education building! The next year we moved the Fling off site and it has traveled around to other local venues, using various caterers, and included many engaging speakers ever since. Our largest attended Fling has 165 guests, that was 2012 with Don Shelby as our speaker.
Eventually the Fling was moved to fall as spring weather was sometimes an issue, especially in 2018 when a blizzard shut the whole thing down. That year we were hosting the Fling in Arlington. I can’t express my relief that I was able to reschedule the venue, caterer, and speaker all on another date, that was the saving grace! Some tickets were refunded as guests had a schedule conflict with the new date, some guests could attend the new date, and guests unable to attend the original date due to schedule conflicts were pleased to be able to attend the rescheduled date. After all the stress of rescheduling, the Ney Board began the process of moving the event to Fall.
I enjoy the time spent with donors who love Ney and our Mission, I am so grateful for the generosity of our community, and I am so proud of my staff who work through all the details to make this event a success. As always from the very first year to this year, every donation we receive through this fundraiser helps us maintain our efforts to inspire appreciation and respect for nature. We have multiple ways to support our fundraiser:
Sponsor the Fling: We are asking for your support during this fundraising event with a tax-deductible sponsorship. There are several sponsorship levels, now titled with unique autumn themed names, available to accommodate varying giving capacities. All sponsors will receive the benefit of name recognition at our event, on our website, and in our annual report. Additionally, Bronze Leaf Contributors and Silver Maple Patrons will receive two complimentary tickets to the Fall Fling. Lastly, Golden Sunrise Sponsors will receive a complementary eight guest VIP table and, new this year, logo recognition on previously listed locations. Please note that we are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, so your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. You can make a sponsorship donation online by clicking here.
Your sponsorship helps us continue to further our mission; this includes expanding educational programs for all ages, protecting the Ney Wildlife Preserve, and inspiring generations to positively experience nature.
Donate to the Auction: We are asking for your support through a tax-deductible donation of an item(s) to feature in our online silent auction. For the first time in program history, we have decided to host the silent auction online with the hope of expanding access to the excellent donation items we receive. While we greatly appreciate a wide variety of donations to include, themed baskets, handmade items, sports paraphernalia, and gift certificates tend to be popular auction items each year.
All donors will receive the benefit of name recognition at our event, on our website, and in our annual report. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, so your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. A form to go with the donations can be found on our website if you scroll to the bottom! Please bring both the form and the item(s) to Ney Nature Center before October 25th or give us a call and we are happy to pick up your donation and form.
Attend the Fling: This year’s benefit dinner will be held on Saturday, November 9th at Caribou Gun Club’s Banquet Hall in Le Sueur, MN. The highly anticipated Al Batt, a storytelling humorist from Hartland, MN, is this year’s featured speaker. Event attendees can also look forward to the cocktail hour, a silent auction, and door and raffle prizes. Tickets can be purchased online at https://ney-nature-center-3.square.site/. Member tickets cost $55.00 each, non-members $75.00. VIP Tables for 8 people are $800.00, which includes reserved seating for 8, individual memberships for all guests, a drink ticket, and a Ney branded token of appreciation. Dinner Menu: Parmesan Crusted Chicken topped w/a sage cream sauce and served with Wild Rice, Garlic & Chive Baby Reds, Green Beans. Our vegetarian/Gluten Free menu options are in the works.
Buy a Raffle Ticket: Raffle Tickets are for sale! There are only 300 available, the top prize is $1,000.00 with second and third prizes being $250.00 each. Tickets will be on sale from now until they run out and can be purchased in the Ney office or from a Ney Board Member. Tickets cost $20.00 each. Must be 18 and older to win and need not be present at the time of the drawing. Winners will be drawn at the Fling Dinner on Nov. 9th at the Caribou Gun Club Banquet Hall.
Bid on Auction Items: For the first time in program history, we have decided to host the silent auction online with the hope of expanding access to the excellent donation items we receive. Auction items are viewable as they come in on our GiveButter Fundraising auction platform, bidding begins on Friday Nov. 1st and will end the evening of our in-person event, Nov. 9th. Register early and watch as new items are added. Our online auction provides:
- Convenience: Donors can participate from anywhere, at any time, without needing to attend the in-person event.
- Flexibility: Allows donors to bid at their own pace over several days, providing more opportunity to engage.
- Easy Payment Options: Secure online payment platforms streamline the process, making it easier and quicker for donors to contribute.
- Real-time Updates: Donors receive instant notifications about their bids, making the experience more engaging and interactive. Online auctions can create a fun, competitive environment, encouraging donors to participate more actively.
- Privacy: Donors can bid anonymously, making it comfortable for those who prefer privacy over public recognition.
Thank you so much for helping build the Ney Nature Center into a strong nonprofit organization that manages and protects the Ney Wildlife Preserve through education and interaction with the natural world. With your support, we look forward to another successful Fall Fling Fundraiser.
The Ney Nature Center is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable nonprofit organization. EIN: 41-1842392 Donations to Ney Environmental Education Foundation (dba: Ney Nature Center) are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Mailing Address: PO Box 93, Henderson MN 56044; Phone: 507-357-8580