How often do you get the chance to meet local celebrities, play putt-putt, dunk a high-school dean, and listen to live entertainment all in the same evening, for the purpose of benefiting children in need? Residents in Fishers and Noblesville can do just that on September 8, from 4 – 8pm, at Ben & Ari’s at SR37 and 141st Street in Fishers.

Cares for Kids, Inc, a Fishers 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fundamental goods and services to underprivileged children in orphanages locally and overseas, is hosting the fundraising event.

Young movie star Forrest Landis, from "Cheaper by the Dozen" will be on hand to take pictures and sign autographs along with the Indiana Pace Mates.

The cost of admission also includes a meal package, admission to the entertainment tent which includes games, prizes, free giveaways, local merchant booths, face-painting, and a silent auction. You can also dunk the deans of our local high schools. Advance sale tickets priced at only $6 can be bought on-line at
www.CaresForKids.org. Tickets on the night of the event are $10. All proceeds from the event will benefit the operations of Cares for Kids.

Erica Wanous, Cares for Kids Vice-President, is looking forward to the event. “Our goal is to raise funds to support our operations, scout potential volunteers, make new business partnerships, and raise awareness in the community about our cause,” she said.

During a trip to a Kazakhstan orphanage in 2000 to adopt a baby boy, local business owners Terry and Phyllis Ballantini were moved by the horrific living conditions they witnessed and wanted to create an organization that would work to improve the daily lives of underserved children world-wide. In 2004, Cares for Kids was founded.