BOTKINS — New Choices is presenting its annual “Give a Little, Laugh a Lot” comedy fundraiser on Friday, April 26, at the Palazzo in Botkins.
Tickets are $30 per person. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and a dinner will be held at 6:30. Live and silent auctions will also take place.
For ticket-purchasing information, visit NewChoicesInc.org, or the New Choices Inc. Facebook page. For more information, call 937-498-7261, or email [email protected].
Proceeds from the evening will go toward the funding of the New Choices Inc. Family Abuse Shelter in Sidney. All donations help to provide essential aid for victims of abuse.
Comedian Dave Dugan will headline Friday’s event and will take the stage from 8 to 9 p.m.
Dugan, of Carmel, Indiana, has been a professional comedian for the past three decades.
“I worked construction a couple of summers (and) that’s where I found out I was allergic to hard labor,” Dugan joked.
Dugan has landed appearances on several television stations and shows, including HBO, Comedy Central, FOX, The Arsenio Hall Show, VH1, and Dick Clark’s Nitetime Show, among others. He has also been a regular writer, contributor, and guest on the nationally-syndicated Bob and Tom Radio Show for over 20 years.
Dugan describes his comedy style as “somewhat subtle and dry, observational and personal humor.”
“I am not loud and definitely not ‘in your face’ comedy,” he said. “I write all my own material with occasional great ideas/bits inspired by close friends and family. The show is clean, too.”
As for his role within Friday’s fundraiser and why he thinks he was sought after to headline the event, Dugan said he believes comedy serves an even deeper purpose than just making people laugh.
“I do find that some very serious-minded causes choose comedy,” he said. “I think the contrast is good and healthy for those who are exposed to sometimes such emotionally painful situations. Comedy is a great healer and I prescribe to the belief that without humor, life would be fairly impossible.”
Dugan said he has previously performed for other fundraisers to benefit and assist abuse victims, but this will be his first time working with New Choices.
“I look forward to being a part of this event and the cause it is helping,” he said. “And, of course, I always look forward to Botkins! Well, I guess this will be my first time to Botkins, but I’m picturing a pretty crazy night life scene … a lightning-fast zip line, many species of wild monkeys, and possibly some river-dancing. If this all turns out to be true, I think I’ve found myself a place for a summer home.”
