Fire company hopes diamonds will spark fundraising goals Frederick News Post (subscription)
Middletown -- They say diamonds are a girl's best friend.
John King is hoping diamonds will be a fire company's best fundraiser.
King is the fundraising chairman for the Middletown Volunteer Fire Co., and in March, the company will host a "Girls' Day Out at the Diamond Bash," where ticketholders will have the chance to win diamond jewelry, cool cash or other prizes.
It's a new fundraiser for the company, but one King has seen be successful for a fire company in another state, so he wanted to try it here.
"As with all new fundraisers, you have to convince the members to agree. Every fundraiser has its risks," he said.
Last year's country concert at the Frederick Fairgrounds was "a wonderful event" but, he said, not so successful as a fundraiser. Even so, it's one he hopes to try again.
The "Diamond Bash" will be held March 20 at the fire station at 13 S. Church St. in Middletown . Only 350 tickets are available to this event. The $30 ticket price includes food and drinks and a chance to win a piece of diamond jewelry every 10 to 20 minutes between noon and 3 p.m. There will also be five drawings for $100 cash. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
The fire company purchased the jewelry with special pricing from Kay Jewelers. The 18 pieces have a retail value of about $8,000, King said. Some will be awarded in sets, such as the opal and circle of gold pendant and earrings. All have Kay's lifetime guarantee, he said.
"This is the last prize," said King's wife, Debbie, showing a 2-carat diamond tennis bracelet with matching 1/4-carat diamond
