AUBURN - The weather might not have been very inviting, but inside the Ukrainian National Club, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming as the club played host to the ninth annual Cayuga-Seneca Community Action Agency's Mardi Gras fundraiser earlier this month.

The warm, festive golds, purples and greens, coupled with the cheerful masks of Mardi Gras, were a stark contrast to the cold, white snow outdoors, while local band The Works got people up and dancing. It was easy to forget that the night was about more than just fun.

Terry DeFelice, Head Start director for Cayuga-Seneca Community Action Agency said that the fundraiser began nine years ago as a joint effort with Unity House, but over the past three years has become a solo effort by her agency.

“The idea started as something fun to do,” DeFelice said. “We all thought it would be a fun way to hold a fundraiser to help support our programs and it has just kept going.”

DeFelice said that the fundraiser helps to support numerous programs the agency provides throughout the community.

“It goes to things like the food pantry, wheels to work, head Start,” DeFelice said. “Wherever the support is needed the money will go there.”

Along with The Works, much like any good Mardi Gras celebration, food and drink were plentiful as well as 50/50 raffles.

DeFelice said that the fundraiser has been generally well received by people and businesses in the community, many of whom offer a great deal of support, donating raffle items to the cause, all in the name of the great programs the agency offers.

DeFelice said that the help of the night's major sponsors has also been invaluable. Jacob's Press, the UNC, Cuddy Financial Services and Hammond & Irving, all lent their support to the night's festivities.

She also said that the timing couldn't be better. Through a grant by the Feinstein Foundation, all the money raised will be matched by the grant.

“We couldn't do all this without the great support we get from the community and our sponsors,” DeFelice said. “One hundred percent of what we raise goes to the agency and our programs because of their generosity.”

And while the official Mardi Gras may have already come and gone, the timing for the Cayuga-Seneca party couldn't have been better even as the cold and snow took its toll outdoors.

“The idea is just to have a good, fun night,” DeFelice said. “Winter is almost over, and everybody is getting ready for spring. I think that is what gets people out for this, they just want to get out and have a good time and help support a good cause.”