A bedazzled fundraiser for the Alpena Senior Citizens Center has been rescheduled for the spring.

The third annual Denim & Diamonds event will now be held on Saturday, April 25, at Art in the Loft.

The event had been planned for this weekend, but senior center director Annie Hepburn said illness was a big factor in the decision to reschedule.

“This is one of our major fundraisers,” Hepburn said. “This year we have decided to change the date, really because of a lot of illnesses going around in the community. I’ve had a few staff members that have had it, and I know many people that have just been really sick.”

With the decision to change the date, coordinating a venue change was also necessary.

“So our venue has changed as well,” she said.

Wayne Kendziorski and the KopyKatz will be playing, and the meal will be catered by Classy Ladies.

Doors will open at 5 p.m., with dinner served at 6 p.m. Music and dancing will be from 7 to 11 p.m. The event will feature a cash bar, multi-item raffle, live and silent auctions, and more.

For anyone who has already purchased a 50/50 ticket, that drawing will still take place this Saturday, Hepburn said.

“That 50/50 drawing, we are still selling tickets for, and will take place on January 18,” she explained.

For the April 25 event, the cost is $40 per ticket, with proceeds to help fund essential programs for seniors in Alpena County. Only 150 tickets are available. Purchase tickets at the senior center at 501 River St., or at Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, which is sponsoring the event.

Hepburn said the fundraiser brought in about $6,500 last year, but she is setting this year’s goal at $15,000, so that no programs will have to halt toward the end of the year like transportation services did in 2019.

“All proceeds are going to all of our programs,” Hepburn said. “That’s meals, that’s in-home services, that’s all of our programs. Last year, we had to stop transportation,” for the last two months of the year, she said.

“Our seniors need our programs, and we know that,” she said. “But some of our programs really depend on grant funds, or funds that are available.”

She added that all programs started back up in January, when funding renewed.

“But again, we have that end-of-the-year cycle where we only have so much money,” Hepburn added.

She explained that while Denim & Diamonds benefits the senior center, it is a fun event for adults of all ages.

“It’s a dress-up, or dress-down event, so nobody has to be in a dress,” she noted. “Wear your bling … It’s for everybody. It’s for all age groups. You don’t have to be a senior to attend. We’re looking at the younger generation, all of us, to support our seniors. We’re all gonna be there one day.”

She hopes the spring event will be the best ever.

“This event has been awesome,” Hepburn said. “And every year we try something new … It’s just an exciting and fun event.”

To donate auction items or to become an event sponsor, contact Hepburn at the senior center at 989-356-3585. For more information, visit www.alpenaseniors.com.