Sixth annual Mardi Gras for a Cause raises almost $14,000

WARWICK — Once again Warwick restaurants, local musicians, volunteers, residents and others stepped up to the plate to insure the success beyond expectations of the sixth annual Mardi Gras for a Cause.
The event, held in the Village of Warwick on Tuesday, February 12, raised close to $14,000 for BackPack Snack Attack, a non-profit organization that provides nutritional snacks to almost 300 needy school children each week of the school year. The program is run entirely by a group of volunteers and supported by donations and fund raising.
BackPack Snack Attack has no overhead and 100 percent of the donated money goes to food and backpacks for the children. The proceeds from the 2018 Mardi Gras for a Cause, almost $4,000 more than last year, will help fill more than 2,300 backpacks.
This year's success can be largely attributed to the 28 volunteers, 11 participating venues and eight sponsors, all record numbers, along with 14 acts/bands and 53 musicians performing as well as the Young Performers Open Mic.
And another record number was $3,000 in donations from the Greenwood Lake School District Faculty and Friends.
Celebrating art and communitySix years ago, Mardi Gras for a Cause was dreamed up by a group of local musicians from Warwick who wanted to be able to celebrate the arts and the community. The event was designed to provide a unique and memorable opportunity for people of all ages to come together and enjoy local live music along with food and drink specials while giving back to the community.
'It doesn't get any better'The restaurants make donations to Backpack Snack Attack but they are not tied to how much they earn that night.
"Warwick is an incredible community," said event organizer John Desibia. "There are so many generous people, local restaurants, pubs, businesses and seriously talented musicians all supporting an exceptional local charity, Backpack Snack Attack, and having fun. It doesn't get better than that for me."
One of the highlights of the evening was the Mardi Gras Jam and Dance Party.
"This year," said Desibia, "we staged it at the Village Billiards. The Jeremy Langdale Band got us into the groove. The Wray Band with friends rocked the house and the Petty Young Dylan Band brought the house down and allowed us to really get a Mardi Gras Jam going on the last two songs of the evening, closing with Neil Young's 'Rockin' in the Free World.'"
Shirley Puett, director of Back Pack Attack, added, "We are so blessed to live in a community that is mindful of those who are struggling and need some extra help. With community support, Backpack Snack Attack is able to feed every child referred to us by the schools in Warwick. We are very grateful."
- Roger Gavan