Sunday night, in the beautiful dining hall at Mac’s on Main in Grapevine, members of the Congregation Beth Israel celebrated another tremendous fundraising success. The “Wide World of Sports Casino Night” held January 21 soared past all expectations and obliterated all previous records!
In accepting a gift of $6,300 from the group, GRACE Chief Development Director Mark Woolverton reminisced that it all started with a sub sandwich. Rather, a bagful of sub sandwiches from Grapevine Subs & More.
Sam Felberbaum, the proprietor of Grapevine Subs at the time, had a brilliant fundraising idea: a casino night event to benefit several local charitable agencies, including GRACE.
Sam’s purpose of the meeting was to learn some of the “tricks of the trade” of doing special events, and relay the information on to his volunteer team, the CBI Brotherhood, a group of community-spirited people associated with Congregation Beth Israel, a Reform Jewish community in Colleyville.
Now celebrating its tenth season just concluded, Sam’s concept has blossomed into one of the premier casino night events in this area. In all, the CBI Casino Night has given nearly $75,000 to support GRACE programs and services, and many other agencies over the years, including Stepping Stones Foundation, Jewish Family Services, and the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation.
GRACE’s circle of friends at Congregation Beth Israel has flourished to include Stephanie and Peter Shukis, Nancy and Mike Finfer, Barry Klompus, Rena and Howard Frost, Cindy and Howard Rosenthal, and dozens of other men and women who worship at Congregation Beth Israel.
CBI Casino Night has become a “can’t miss” event featuring a collaboration of Beth Israel with a neighboring Catholic Church, Good Shepherd Catholic Community. Good Shepherd provides the venue, parking, and facilities. Sam and the CBI Brotherhood brings the Silent and Live Auction treasures and the magnificent gaming including everything from VIP Poker Rooms, to Blackjack and Roulette tables.
The CBI Brotherhood has also launched some very unique creations, like the “Head-to-Toe” raffle ticket. This first-of-its-kind sale features a string of raffle tickets stretched from the back of the purchaser’s head, over the purchaser’s face, all the way to the purchaser’s toes. For a single price. Of course, strategy behooves the purchaser to recruit the tallest person in the room for the measurement.
Food and drink are always superb and in great quantities. Rena Frost, the owner of Mac’s on Main provides the delicious buffets and desserts. And the drinks flow freely with special Bar Tickets in all the guests’ packets.
The CBI Brotherhood is renowned for their thematic daring. Casino Night themes have ranged from Kentucky Derby to 007 to Saturday Night Fever. This year’s theme was “The Wide World of Sports” with jerseys of every sport and team imaginable. And quite a few guests in Dallas Cowboys gear!
Rumor has it Sam, Peter, and Barry are already testing new themes for 2024! To stay in the know, please keep CBI Casino Night on your search list in check back every few weeks.
