For a trio of Southside Catholic parishes, Las Vegas will be arriving on Nov. 7. That’s the date for the 2009 version of “Fun at the Falcon,” the now annual gala that provides funding for the extensive outreach efforts to the community through the parish St. Vincent de Paul Societies.

The hangar at Peachtree City’s Airport Dixie Wing Commemorative Air Force at Falcon Field, will again be transformed into the Las Vegas strip for the fundraiser. The three parishes behind the Casino Night gala are St. Matthew’s in Tyrone, Holy Trinity in Peachtree City and St. Mary Magdalene in Newnan. Last year’s efforts produced over $9,000 for each of the parishes and their outreach programs for the poor and needy of the community.

Each of the parish St. Vincent de Paul conferences echoed the statement by Deacon Bill Hampton, chair of the 2009 event. “Our needs have grown in overwhelming proportions. The economic times have impacted us greatly and there are more and more people out there needing our help.”

The collection of vintage and unique planes based at Falcon Field will be moved to the airport itself, providing the spacious hangar for the evening’s festivities.

This year, tickets for “Fun at the Falcon” are only $25 per person. Food will be provided by Casa Blanca Cafe and Catering, featuring a variety of heavy hors d’oeuvres such as steamship rounds of beef and shrimp. Desserts will again be provided by Georgia Shrimp Company, with distinctive British desserts featured. Coffee service will be from Starbucks at The Avenue. Adult beverages and soft drinks will also be available.

Following dinner, casino activities take center stage — the full Vegas menu. Volunteers from the Knights of Columbus groups in local parishes will assist at the various game tables. Guests will take to the dance floor to the strains of Big Band music from “The Usual Suspects,” a professional 18-piece group.

There will also be auctions of special gifts and prizes donated by local merchants and organizations.

Tickets, at $25 per person, will be sold in all three parishes. Contact persons are Deacon Bill Hampton at St. Matthew’s, 770-964-5804, Lois Bruning at St. Mary Magdalene, 770-599-3106, and Ron Pluess at Holy Trinity, 770-487-2590. Guests are asked to bring canned or staple food items for the food banks of St. Vincent de Paul.

St. Vincent de Paul is an international organization run entirely by lay members. It helps provide food, clothing, funding and many other services to the community in need, not necessarily members of the parishes. The local conferences are aided by monthly collections in the parishes — funds that evaporate very early in the month due to the volume of calls for help.

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