Friends of Jane Adeny Memorial School for Girls will hold its third annual wine, cheese, and chocolate fundraiser on Friday, February 16, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward Street in Sycamore. The theme this year is “Jazz in the Night.”
Acclaimed jazz vocalist Mardra Thomas, accompanied by renowned pianist Reggie Thomas, will present an intimate and energetic program celebrating the women of jazz. Mardra and Reggie have performed across the country and internationally on concert, jazz club, and world-class festival stages.
Certified Wine Specialist John McIntyre from HyVee will lead guests in tasting wines exquisitely paired with scrumptious cheeses and chocolates. A fair-trade crafts market, raffle prizes, and cash wine bar are included in this unique and enjoyable evening.
Jane Adeny Memorial School for Girls (JAMS) provides a high school education to poor and orphaned girls in rural western Kenya, Africa. The school was founded by Kenyans who now live in DeKalb and return to Kenya every year to give back to their original community. The founders, Dr. Teresa Wasonga and Dr. Andrew Otieno, are Presidential Engagement Professors at NIU. Friends of JAMS is a DeKalb area non-profit organization with the mission of raising awareness, friends, and funds for JAMS.
All proceeds of “Jazz in the Night” will go toward scholarships for needy girls and the construction and furnishing of a Resource Center and Computer Lab. Currently, JAMS has ten computers for 160 students. Friends of JAMS aims to provide a computer lab with forty computers as well as an expanded library for the school. Last year’s fundraiser supported scholarships, entrepreneurship projects run by the students, and the completion of a science classroom building.
Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.dekalbcountytickets.co