Valentine's Day fundraiser will help elderly, feature live music

This Valentine's Day, you can dance and have a ball, all while benefiting elderly people who have been restricted to their homes.\nThe Area 10 Agency on Aging is organizing an event called the "Have a Heart for the Homebound Valentine's Day Swingdance and Dinner" at Players Pub on Wednesday.\nThe benefit will combine a romantic night of dinner and dancing with door prizes and a silent auction at Players Pub, 424 S. Walnut St., according to a news release from the agency.\nTickets to the event, which will feature live music by the Stardusters Swing Band, cost $20 and include cover charge, dinner and dancing."\n"This is the first time that we are having the dinner and dance," said Caroline Clay, deputy director of Area 10 Agency on Aging.\nShe said they've had fundraisers in the past but not in the form of a dinner or dance.\nClay said her team noticed how the Stardusters, who play at Players Pub every other Wednesday, are popular with older people and thought it could be a good venue for the fundraiser.\n"At first, $20 does seem a lot to the student population," she said. "But it includes a meal, dessert and dancing. The funds go to help elderly people who are homebound, who cannot leave their homes. They need, for example, someone to go shopping for them, and repairs for their home."\nLast year, repairs were made to the homes of 129 elderly people thanks to the agency, Clay said. At the event, the meal costs $12 and the cover is $5 per person.\nAbout 65 people have either purchased tickets or made reservations for the evening, Clay said\n"In our first year, we just want to generate interest in our programs. We don't expect to make too much money," she said. "Yes, we are always seeking donations; we are always in need of donations for food pantries. Over the years, several students have helped us with grocery shopping, and currently a lot of students have been volunteering."\nPlayers Pub seemed as excited about the event as the Area 10 Agency on Aging.\n"The Area 10 Agency on Aging liked the atmosphere as well as the music (at Players Pub) and contacted us if they could do the program with us," Gerald Bonds, chef at Players Pub, said. "Normally in Bloomington you have a lot of places to go, but Players Pub has found its niche in the Bloomington community for the elderly; we provide a laid-back environment, especially with the Stardusters playing."\nClay said the event targets all age groups above 21 years of age "since Players Pub is a bar," but especially to the older people. It's hard to find things that bridge the gap between the different age groups, she said.\nOne thing that helps, however, is the music of the Stardusters\n"I haven't finalized my play list yet," said Jerry Jerome, music director of the Stardusters. "So I can't tell you what I am going to play. We play a wide variety of styles but we are mainly a swing band. You have to recognize the band for the style it represents."\nThe Stardusters have been playing in Players Pub for a year and a half now. \n"They have excellent food, nice setting and a nice crowd," Jerome said. "... It's a pleasant atmosphere."\nOn Valentine's Day, the band will gear its songs to suit the occasion, he said.\n"Everyone who comes in as a couple would have a great time," Bonds said. "And anyone who comes in would have a blast."\nFor tickets or reservations, contact the Area 10 Agency on Aging at 876-3383.