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Local Moose Lodge brings Mardi Gras to River Grove
Celebrants parade around the room, New Orleans style, at the River Park Moose Lodge Mardi Gras-themed party Saturday night. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 1, 2013 6:13AM
RIVER GROVE — Although the Mardi Gras celebration officially took place Feb. 12, a local organization used the occasion as a way to raise money for a good cause.
Members of River Park Moose Lodge No. 2578 met at their headquarters, 8601 W. Fullerton Ave. on Feb. 16, a few days after the end of Mardi Gras, for their own festive fundraiser.
About 120 people, including lodge members and friends — some in costume — met to eat, dance and raise money for Mooseheart, a school that houses and educates youth who don’t have an extended family for support.
Steven Edwards, administrator for the lodge, said they raised a little over $600 for Mooseheart. The money will go towards the youth sports program at the school, in Kane County near Aurora.
“We had a lot of food and everybody brought a dish,” he said. “I was there to about midnight.”
During that time he moved to the dance floor to show off his moves.
“I don’t usually dance in the beginning,” he said. “I wait until later.”
Along with having fun and raising money through donations and raffles, the event was organized in memory of former member Jan Andrews.
Female lodge members are called Women of the Moose, and she was a member for about 12 years.
“She and her husband Dan used to go to Mardi Gras every year and when they’d get back they would have a Mardi Gras event here,” he said. “They would bring food and decorate the place.”
“She retired a few years ago and all of the sudden she developed a brain tumor and she didn’t last long,” he said
Her husband is also a member of the lodge and was at the event.
Edwards said a party with food is a good combination when it comes to raising money.
“Everybody got a good time,” he said. “Usually when you are having a good time you’ll spend a little money.”
