WATERLOO -- Adults grinned as funds grew during last weekend's "AAHA! On Safari!" fundraiser for Grin and Grow Child Care Centers in Waterloo. Nearly $10,000 was raised to support the centers' 2008 scholarship program, which helps some 65 working parents a year afford quality care for their children.

Reason

Grin and Grow is a private, non-profit child care agency for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years old. Its mission is to provide safe, nurturing, quality early childhood educational programming to diverse populations, regardless of income. Grin and Grow originated in 1943, when the Junior Service League of Waterloo (now the Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls) opened a nursery at Emerson School as a service to working mothers. In 1966, Junior League replaced the Emerson nursery with the Byron Avenue Day Care Center. It became Grin and Grow in 1979. Today, the center serves families in two Waterloo locations caring for more than 100 children each week day.

Setting

The Elks Club was cleverly transformed into a child's fantasy world of jungle creatures and treasure hunters. Many guests arrived ready for the evening adventure wearing safari gear and leopard prints. To encourage mingling through the live and silent auction displays, guests joined Tut's Treasure Hunt. All those who correctly answered various riddles hidden among the auction items were eligible for prize drawings throughout the evening.

Complimentary glasses of "jungle juice" were offered during social hour. The dinner menu delightfully reflected the evening's theme: Tarzan and Jane's treetop greens, Rain Forest salmon, Serengeti green beans almondine, Mount Kilimanjaro garlic mashed potatoes, Dr. Livingston Presume rolls, and Cheeta's best brownies.

Vitals

The arts and heirloom auction items netted nearly $10,000 as the relatively small group of dedicated individuals apparently caught jungle fever and bid the night away. "Occasionally a parent will be laid off for a month or for some reason have trouble making ends meet. Our scholarship money enables us to bridge the gap during times like that," explained board member Cindy Wells.

People

Grin and Grow director Mike Knapp has been with the child care center since 1979. A venerable icon for the agency, he was featured on the cover of this year's innovative On Safari! invitation, decked out in safari attire reading Curious George to a friendly group of jungle animals. "I've been around the child care industry in the Cedar Valley for so long that I doubt no one remembers the early struggles as well as me," Knapp said, "but it's been a very rewarding 29 years when you look at all the young lives we've impacted in such positive ways."

Although flamingos and frigid temperatures are unlikely bedfellows, a flock of the pink birds were scattered throughout the room. The flamingos represented Team Flamingo, a Ragbrai biking group started 25 years ago by Mike Knapp as a fundraiser for Grin and Grow. The group annually contributes $4,000 to $5,000 to support scholarships, purchase playground equipment and help with operational expenses. For more information on how you can help Team Flamingo and support Grin and Grow go to teamflamingoragbrai.googlepages.com

Paparazzi Party Line

-- Friends of the Gallagher Bluedorn will host Beers To You & Gourmet Too Feb. 24, from 3 to 6 p.m. Beer tasting and appetizers. For tickets visit the GBPAC box office or call (877) 549-7469.

-- Enjoy a sophisticated art experience influenced by artists Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko and Wayne Thiebaud when Friends of the Art Center Arts hosts ARTI GRAS March 8 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. Dine on hand-painted keepsake plates, dance to the Cedar Valley Big Band and bid on auction items. Proceeds to benefit Phelps Youth Pavilion. To RSVP call 291-4490 or visit museum@waterloo-ia.org.

-- The YWCA of Black Hawk County will hold its second annual Cedar Valley Women of Persimmon Awards luncheon / fundraiser March 27 at the Waterloo Elks Club. The event honors women whose lives have helped shape the Cedar Valley. Call 234-7589.

-- Dust off those ball gowns and tuxedos for the 70th annual Junior League Charity Ball March 29, at the Elks Club. Swing into spring and support League's projects benefiting Cedar Valley children. To request an invitation call 232-8687.

-- ART, the Paintbrush Kid, invites you to the Phelps Youth Pavilion's Grand Opening weekend festivities April 5-6 at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. You'll experience an amazing place where ART launches a world of wonder, discovery and learning.

-- To reserve your seat at some of the best parties in the Cedar Valley be sure to attend the Notable Affairs Preview Party,April 26, at 5:30 p.m. in Davis Hall at GBPAC. The parties offered for the coming season typically sell out at the preview party. All proceeds benefit the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra. To receive an invitation to Notable Affairs call 273-3373.