Fulton Rotary sponsors mouse races to raise funds for service projects

Hannah Mansell, Hope Wallace, Mallory York and Emily Gast, members of the Rotaract Club of William Woods University, work the betting table at the 2016 event.
Hannah Mansell, Hope Wallace, Mallory York and Emily Gast, members of the Rotaract Club of William Woods University, work the betting table at the 2016 event.

Racing mice will help the Rotary Club of Fulton raise money to support service projects in Callaway County. The club will hold the third annual Callaway Cup Mouse Races starting at 6:30 p.m. March 17 at 54 Country, 400 Gaylord Drive, in Fulton.

Single admission tickets for the family-friendly event are $15; children 16 and under are free. Sponsorships also are available. Mouse betting, a silent auction, photo booth and raffles are planned.

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"This year we've added a kids' craft table and a coloring contest to encourage families to come out and enjoy the evening together," Mary Ann Beahon, Fulton Rotary president, said. "Members of the Rotaract Club of William Woods University will be assisting. It's also St. Patrick's Day, which gives us lots of decorating options."

Proceeds from the Mouse Races will benefit Rotary's charitable work in the community, including the Adult Enrichment Center for persons with developmental disabilities. Last year, money was donated to help purchase accessible playground equipment at Wonderland Camp in the Lake of the Ozarks. The first year, the club used the earnings to assist the Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV) by fixing and staining their fence and buying playground equipment and indoor furniture.

During the mouse races, live mice will be coaxed to travel through a miniature racecourse at fast speeds. Spectators will be invited to make bets. Similar to a night at the dog or horse races, each person attending receives a program at the door with the mice running in each of the 10 heats. They can then go to one of the betting tables and place bets on the mouse they will run down the tube the fastest.

Along with racing, the night features Mouse Roulette where individuals buy a playing card for a minimal amount with the opportunity to win a large sum. The cards are placed in a circle with a mouse released in the center; the winner is the person with the card the mouse steps on first.

Event sponsorships are $500 and include one VIP table for eight guests, eight beer or soda bottomless cups, three minutes of mic time, a table to display information, a sign/banner at the event and recognition in the event program.

Table sponsorships are $250 and entitle participants to eight attendee tickets and eight bottomless cups. Race sponsorships are available for $100 per race and include two tickets to the event. Both table sponsors and race sponsors will be included in the race program. In addition, mice can be sponsored; the cost is $10 per mouse.

Food and beverages, including $5 bottomless beer and soda cups, will be available for purchase.

For more information on the mouse races or to download the mouse coloring page, go to www.fultonrotary-mo.org. Participants may color the St. Patrick's Day Mouse or draw their own. Entries should be dropped off at Naught-Naught Agency by March 15. Voting will be done by donations at the mouse races. Prizes will be awarded.

For information on sponsorship opportunities or to donate a silent auction item, contact Jennifer Books at [email protected]. Tickets to the mouse races are available at Central Bank, Naught-Naught Agency and Peak Sport and Spine or from any Fulton Rotarian.