DUNCAN — It’ll be party time in Duncan on New Year’s Eve and those who get invited to a party tagged ‘United Way’ will be helping out their community for 2010.

And those who don’t attend a private party, can still go out and have a great time.

Dressed to the nines, or in your favorite jeans, it doesn’t matter what you wear, said Elizabeth Pitts, executive director of United Way of Stephens County. The fun starts early in the evening with private parties and then at 8:30 the doors open at Butterfield’s on Main Street for what Pitts and others hope will become the big social event of the year and to bring in the new year.

“There’s some people who love to get dressed up and then there are people who don’t want to do that and would just rather wear their jeans,” she said. Either way, the idea isn’t about the fashion but instead about helping out and having fun.

Pitts, along with Jason Thompson and Cindy Reynolds, are excited about Duncan’s first New Year’s Eve bash which begins earlier in the evening with several private parties hosted around the city.

“We decided to do our own fundraising thing, because of the economic climate we’re in, we don’t want to be in the situation to cut agencies. There’s not a ton to do for New Year’s here,” Pitts said.

“We’re asking people to host a dinner party at their home, for about 10 people,” she said. “They can make a theme or whatever they want.”

The party details are being left in the hands of those who want to play hostess. Pitts said some will be themed. The idea though is to generate some extra funds for United Way.

“One guy will have a disco theme, maybe everyone will wear ’70s outfits, another party is a Mexican fiesta and this year there’s a blue moon on New Year’s Eve, so someone is having a blue moon theme. You can pull out your best crystal or just have a casual atmosphere with a backyard barbecue,” Pitts said.

“There’s a ton of things you could do.”

Thompson said he’s extremely excited. Last year he traveled to Las Vegas, Nev., for a night of partying. Before that, he stayed in Duncan at one of the local clubs.

“I really wanted a social event, not just a bar. This worked out perfectly,” he said.

Pitts said those invited to a private party and make a donation to United Way will be on a guest list for automatic entry to the New Year’s eve bash later that night.

“Instead of guests bringing a bottle of wine (to the private events), they should bring a donation, whatever they want. They could consider the cost of a dinner out as their donation,” she said. Envelopes will be provided by the party hostess for the donations. Those who don’t host or attend a private dinner party yet still want to have fun just need to call Pitts at the UW office to pre-arrange a donation. Their names will be added to the late night bash guest list. Those who decide at the last minute to attend it can make a donation at the door.

“After dinner, everyone will head to Butterfield’s and we’ll have dessert, coffee, a cash bar, a small hypnotist show and then a champagne toast at midnight. Just come as you are,” she said.

The night will mainly be socializing, dancing and music, she said.

So far, four private parties have been registered.

“It gives people something to do and help out in their community. It sounds like a ton of fun to me. I can’t wait to get to the party,” Pitts said.

Pitts lived in Memphis, Tenn., years ago and a huge charity fundraiser, A Place at the Table, that benefits HIV/AIDS research, was the driving idea for the UW New Year’s Eve bash. “They raise like $50,000 every time they do it. It’s nice you didn’t have to buy a $75 ticket just to go. We had a really enjoyable time, especially at the after-party.”

Pitts said it was an idea she believes will work well with Duncan residents.

“There’s really no way to tell how much we’ll raise. This is a benchmark year, our first time around,” she said. She and the other organizers hope that it becomes an annual tradition.

“How much time are you saving when you don’t have to recruit volunteers or haggle over a caterer. People can make a big deal out of it or as laid back as they want. Those who are going to parties have probably already generously given to us and we’re just asking them to think about doing just a little more.”

For information, contact Pitts at 580-255-3648. There’s still time to organize a private party and more than enough time to plan to attend the New Year’s Eve bash.



— Toni Hopper is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. She can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 132 or by e-mail at: toni.hopper@duncanbanner.com.