Some of Wichita’s favorite events are major fundraisers for nonprofits

Check social media and websites to confirm requirements for visiting and details of any in-person events you plan to attend in case of changes after this list has printed.

ICT Burger Battle for KETCH, Sept. 1-Oct. 31, virtual: It’s not too late to buy a burger pass and participate in the eighth year of this event, which raises money for KETCH’s programs and services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rather than everyone gathering in one place on one day to sample burgers, buy the $30 pass and order your burgers dine in or carry out any time before Oct. 31. Bricktown Brewery East, Fizz Burgers and Bottles, PourHouse ICT, Red Robin and Southeast Carryout each have a competition burger chosen. Pass-holders get to try a full version of it for free when you purchase any burger from their menu. Participants can vote online for their favorite.

Buy a pass: ictburgerbattle.com

Autumn & Art Patron Patio Party-in-a-Box, Sept. 18, virtual: The deadline is Tuesday to reserve your party-in-a-box to support Wichita Festivals, Inc. The nonprofit uses its annual patron party on the opening night of the Autumn & Art festival to keep the fine arts show and sale free for the general public. The event is online only this year (Sept. 18-20) and organizers are keeping the fundraising party alive with this box featuring local food, drink, gifts and entertainment delivered to your door in time for patron-only online entertainment from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets begin at $100 per person and there are optional add-ons available.

More info: autumnandart.com

KPTS Presents: An Evening with Nick Stellino, Sept. 18, virtual: Tickets for this KPTS-Channel 8 fundraiser are $25 and include access to the live interactive conversation with Nick Stellino of the CREATE Channel’s Emmy-nominated “Storyteller in the Kitchen” and “Cooking with Friends” programs. You’ll also get a one-year VIP subscription to the chef’s online content (six seasons of episodes, recipes, videos and more) plus local discounts for wine, meats and cheeses. The idea is that you’ll shop for items to enjoy while watching the one-hour event with KPTS on-air personality Susan Peters guiding Stellino in conversation about food, family and pursuing your passions.

Buy tickets: kpts.org/community/nick-stellino-evening

19th annual Wichita Grand Opera Ball, Sept. 19 at Wichita Marriott: Wichita’s Grand Opera has announced a four-concert 2020-21 season starting in October and its ball supports the season of performances. The event is themed around “Downton Abbey” and includes cocktails, a fashion show featuring 1912 to 1926 attire, dinner, a live auction and live music and dancing. Tickets are $200 per person or $1,500 per table of 10.

Details: wichitagrandopera.org/shows/downton-abbey

Go Red for Women, Sept. 24, virtual: Normally a ticketed event, this year’s event is free and online but still has the same mission: Raise awareness and take action against the No. 1 killer of women – heart disease and stroke. The idea is that you’ll wear red, grab your lunch and tune in from noon to 1 p.m. for a program emceed by Lily Wu of KWCH Channel 12. Register to get the link to attend; there’s also a silent auction.

Register or donate: heart.org/wichitagored

WAM Gala Gloved, Sept. 26, virtual: The Wichita Art Museum’s 85th anniversary celebration is now a virtual party. Purchase a multi-course dinner prepared by Elderslie Farm and ready to pick up at the museum starting at 5 p.m. or choose the gala experience only, which begins online at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is $80 per person, gala access is $200 per household. There’s also a VIP option at $1,000 for two. Organizers say to expect an online immersion of haute couture and creativity.

Buy tickets: wichitaartmuseum.org/programs_events/gala

Woofstock, Sept. 28 to Oct. 3, virtual and drive-thru: The Kansas Humane Society has a week of online activities planned culminating with a drive-thru event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 3 at Sedgwick County Park. Decorate your cars, bring your pups and drive through the park with stops for free treats and toys along with live entertainment and food for the humans.

Registration options: $10 per vehicle standard entry available up to and including the day of the event, $20 per vehicle VIP registration with early entry at 10 a.m. available plus guaranteed event swag (T-shirt, tote bag and bandana) or a $30 package that includes the VIP registration above plus VIP registration for a virtual Woof Walk.

Add tickets to each to receive the swag for more people. Registered participants are encouraged to start or join a fundraising team. If you’d like to raise money and don’t want to pay the registration fee, you can sign up as a “Cat Napper” and raise at least $25 for standard entry to the event and swag.

Full schedule of events: kshumane.org/woofstock

Taste of Wichita, Oct. 2-11, various restaurants: Junior League of Wichita has canceled its largest fundraiser of the year, Holiday Galleria, for this year and instead aims to raise money with this dining event spanning 10 days. It’s a mini-restaurant week concept, with about a dozen participating restaurants. Each is creating a Taste of Wichita menu offering available dine-in or carry-out, and donating 10% of sales from that menu to Junior League. There’s no registration needed, just order the Taste of Wichita menu options during the event timeframe.

See participating restaurants: tasteofwichita.org

HopeArt, Oct. 4-11, virtual: This annual fundraiser that raises money that allows HopeNet to provide hours of counseling for families who could not otherwise afford professional services is typically a ticketed gala event but this year will be a free online series of events and activities around the theme “The Heart of the Matter.” Links will be available from the nonprofit’s website for all HopeArt components, including video segments featuring stories of hope from clients and HopeNet therapists.

There will also be interviews with the artists creating three commissioned pieces that will be available in the live online auction happening from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 11. There’s also a weeklong silent auction that ends at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 11.

Find links to participate: hopenetwichita.org/hopeart-2020

Cosmosphere Telethon and Auction, Oct. 4-11, virtual: Coinciding with International Space Week, the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson will host virtual opportunities throughout the week to support the nonprofit science education center and space museum. This replaces a 50th anniversary gala celebration for the Apollo 13 mission that was planned this year. The auction portion of the modified event will allow you to bid on autographed space memorabilia, NASA LEGO sets and other items.

Watch for more details: cosmo.org

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Light The Night Walk, Oct. 23, virtual: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society — Mid-America Chapter is holding the annual Wichita Light the Night Walk virtually, including an interactive lantern experience. Registration is free, but walkers are encouraged to raise funds to support the mission either individually or in teams.

Register: lightthenight.org/events/wichita

Illuminations at Botanica, walk-thru Nov. 14-Jan. 4 and drive-thru Nov. 14-Jan. 30: Plans are in place for Botanica’s largest fundraiser of the year to happen with two options. The drive-thru option is $20 per vehicle and will take you through an estimated 10-minute tour of the main parking lot transformed with light tunnels and giant displays. The walk-through option ($13 for adults, $9 for ages 3-12/military/members) will be one-way through the garden’s main path; you’ll spend 60-90 minutes walking through the choreographed light and music show.

The Khicha Family Carousel also will be available for pre-purchased rides. Advance-only tickets and timed entries for both options will limit wait times and the number of people gathered. Tickets will go on sale Oct. 1.

Watch for more details: botanica.org/illuminations

The Arc’s Lights, Nov. 26-Dec. 28, near Douglas & St. Paul, drive-thru: The drive-thru holiday lights display covers about a quarter-mile route with more than 1.4 million lights and displays, many handmade by volunteers. The Arc of Sedgwick County is a nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Admission is $10 per vehicle on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with free-will donations Monday through Thursday.

More info: arc-sedgwickcounty.org

This story was originally published September 13, 2020 at 6:01 AM.