MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown area nonprofits with focuses on veterans and addiction treatment will team up to host their first-ever Winter Wonderland Ugly Sweater Bash.
Aspire Services Center and Lauren’s Wish will host the bash on Thursday, December 12, at Tuscan Ridge on Stewartstown Road starting at 6 p.m. CEO for Aspire Services Hub Coordinator Brian Crist encourages Morgantown residents who are hoping to take advantage of an exclusive silent auction as well as a variety of holiday-themed activities with single tickets starting at $65 and $125 for couples.
“We have a ton of raffles and giveaways, it’s just going to be a fun evening, so we hope everyone will come out (to support us),” said Crist.
Tickets will include food along with beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks served by the Aspire-established Take Me Home Tasty Trade, a social enterprise that introduces people in recovery to catering and charcuterie boards (meat and cheese plates) services for future employment opportunities. Food will be provided by Big Daddy’s Catering and will be served while Texas Hold’em and Blackjack tables will be hosted alongside the judging of Ugly Christmas Sweaters.
“We have music all the way from Prestonburg, Kentucky, we’re going to have food by Big Daddy’s and also what we’re calling Take Me Home Tasty Trades,” said Crist on what will be a part of the Winter Wonderland Ugly Sweater Bash. “And it’s basically a charcuterie business, so we’re actually doing all of the charcuterie there as well,” he said.
A silent auction will be hosted throughout the 1st Annual Winter Wonderland Ugly Sweater Bash with both large-scale gift baskets and West Virginia University sports memorabilia. Crist mentioned autographed items from multiple generations of Mountaineers will be available as part of the auction, with a raffle and door prizes available as part of your ticket purchase.
“We have a great silent auction, and we have a ton if you’re a West Virginia fan,” said Crist on WAJR’s Talk of the Town. “From a Bob Huggins basketball to Pat White-signed footballs and mini-helmets, for the old guys we have autographed basketballs from Jerry Lucas and the great Archie Talley,” he said.
All proceeds will go towards the services provided by both Aspire Services Center and Lauren Wish. Among them are recovery residential services hosted at Hazel’s House of Hope on Scott Avenue, with over 50 beds combined between the two services (Aspire has 28 beds, respectively). With tickets selling fast for an evening of food, activities, and a chance to buy exclusive WVU memorabilia, Crist encourages Morgantown area residents to join them at Tuscan Ridge on Thursday night.
“There’s a QR code on the Lauren’s Wish website if you want to register, or you can call or contact us, and we’ll take care of you, we’d love to have everybody out,” Crist said.