StART Your Holidays off Right by Helping Those in Need!

FORT MITCHELL, Ky., Nov. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning Wednesday, November 12th through Wednesday, November 19th the public is invited to cast a vote for their favorite poster for the 2015 Mardi Gras for Homeless Children. The art competition will be held at Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell, as part of their on-going presenting sponsorship of this event.  The 24^th annual Mardi Gras for Homeless Children takes place on Fat Tuesday, February 17, 2015.  The event will again be held at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. The proceeds from the Mardi Gras go to four area shelters that provide essential care to homeless children and their families.  They are Bethany House Services of Cincinnati and Mercy Health – St. John in Cincinnati, and Brighton Center's Homeward Bound and Welcome House of Northern Kentucky, Inc. in Covington.  Together these agencies serve more than 40,000 needy individuals in our community each year. 

"We are thrilled to be working with Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell for the second year in a row as the Mardi Gras Presenting Sponsor.  We could not ask for a better corporate sponsor for this charitable fundraiser," said Gordon Snyder, Chairman of the event. "The Mardi Gras has raised more than $1,275,000 for homeless children and we look forward to this partnership assisting us in raising even more."

The public will have the opportunity to view the nine designs on display in the Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell showroom from November 12^th through November 19^th during normal business hours, which are generally through 7 PM weekdays and 5 PM on Friday and Saturday.  Students from the AIC College of Design (aka The Art Institute of Cincinnati) have submitted entries that have been narrowed down to the top selections. The winning design will soon be displayed in hundreds of locations around the tri-state to promote ticket sales.

The Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell Mardi Gras for Homeless Children event is truly one of those events that makes you proud of which to be a part," said Dan Bell, Marketing Manager for Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell, "We are thrilled to continue our support. There is no doubt that if you attended the event last year, you want to come back," he said.  Mardi Gras features more than 50 booths of fantastic food and beverages furnished by the members of the Northern Kentucky Restaurant Association. A highlight of the upcoming celebration is a Royal Court parade featuring Cincinnati Bengals Running Back Giovani Bernard as Grand Marshall, Scott Sloan and Sheila Gray as King and Queen, complete with a marching band and a float.  Live and silent auctions offer a remarkable selection of items at amazing savings.  In addition, the event includes live music by Robin Lacy and DeZydeco. 

The AIC, whose programs are designed to prepare creative minds for business, offers a three year Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design Program designed to allow students to enter the workforce faster than traditional programs with 25% less debt. Many local and national companies and advertising and design firms consistently seek AIC graduates for their skilled talents resulting from a highly experienced, talented and focused faculty. Randall Zimmerman, one of AIC's Graphic Design Instructors, said "each year the students take great pride in their Mardi Gras poster design work and welcome the additional exposure and recognition for the charities and their work. Zimmerman added "it is great to have Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell as sponsor for this wonderful cause and celebration and we welcome visits to the Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell showroom to see all of the fine design work and to vote for their favorite."

The Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell Mardi Gras event takes place February 17^th, "Fat Tuesday" at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. VIP tickets, which grant you early access to the event, are available for $80.00 per ticket, individual tickets are $60.00, and table sponsorships are also available.  So act fast as this popular annual event may sell out.  The money raised goes to feed children in need at the four local charity organizations.  For more information on how you can help call 859-291-NKRA (6572) or check us out at www.mardigras2015.org.       

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141104/156485

SOURCE Northern Kentucky Restaurant Association