BALTIMORE -- A pair of distinguished local non-profit organizations -- Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) and The Polakoff Foundation -- are teaming up for a unique Mardi Gras Celebration fundraiser March 3, 2012 at the Baltimore Sheraton North in Towson from 7-11 p.m.

If you have ever partied down Bourbon Street, or if you have always wanted to experience what New Orleans is all about, you don’t want to miss this sure-to-be memorable night. The Mardi Gras Celebration will be emceed by WBAL-11 NBC TV news anchor Stan Stovall and feature the music of Baltimore-based, New Orleans-flavored Junkyard Saints. Local celebrity bartenders will greet and serve attendees at the Hurricane bar, a signature New Orleans beverage. The creole-themed menu includes tasty New Orleans favorites like oysters, jambalaya and king cake.

Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased from Courtney Nathan at 410-737-2661 or cnathan@bism.org [4]; Nancy Kapp at nkappinc@comcast.net [5]; or online at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2570855498 [6]. Net proceeds benefit both organizations.

There are a variety of sponsorship opportunities still available, many of which include complimentary tickets to the event. To learn more about the different levels of sponsorships offered, contact Courtney Nathan at 410-737-2661 or cnathan@bism.org [4].
For the latest news about the event, visit the Mardi Gras Celebration Facebook event page at http://www.facebook.com/events/276094369090789/ [7].

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (www.bism.org [8])
For more than 100 years, BISM has provided diverse employment opportunities and innovative rehabilitation training for blind and visually impaired people of all ages.

The Polakoff Foundation (www.fightglaucoma.org [9])
The Polakoff Foundation provides education and preventative screening resources to high-risk glaucoma patients and those who are newly diagnosed with glaucoma.