Submitted Photo 2nd Story’s Snowball banquet fundraiser has been held every year since the 1980s. The banquet is to raise money to continue offering the many educational and social services to those with developmental disabilities.

As the weather takes a turn for the slightly warmer this weekend, 2nd Story in Minot will be hosting their largest annual fundraiser banquet. The Snowball will take place Saturday starting at 6 p.m. at the Minot Knights of Columbus.

The annual Snowball is a chance for the community to help support 2nd Story and all the recreational and social activities they put on for people with developmental disabilities. The event works to raise money for them to function for the next year.

“It’s a worthy cause to help fund and a fun event,” said Greg Gordon, Director of 2nd Story.

The Snowball is free to attend with a door prize and meal. Other prizes will come from 2nd Story’s white balls, red balls and raffle tickets. Raffle tickets have been on sale, but both white balls and red balls will cost $1 at the banquet.

A white ball guarantees a prize for every one purchased. Red balls will put the buyer in a drawing for one of nine different larger prizes.

Prizes from the raffles and balls range from $1 to hundreds of dollars.

Alongside these prizes there will be a silent auction and a chance to dance and have fun.

The event is hosted by the Eagles Aerie and Auxilary and comes together thanks to many volunteers and helping hands.

“It is one of those truly community involvement projects,” Gordon said. “People donate their hours and their dollars.”

The Snowball was started in the 1980s, but this is Gordon’s first year working to put the event together. He has had a lot of help from people who have done it before, such as Alayne Okland, who retired as director of 2nd Story around the time of 2018 Snowball, and Jimmie and Lori Jones, who have been a part of the event since its inception.

Gordon said many different people help to make this event what it is.

“I think it will be a great success this year too,” he said.