DEP Benefit Dinner is Huge Success, Raising Over $12,000 For Murals In Downtown

The Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. (DEP) hosted its annual benefit dinner on Thursday, September 19, 2019.  The event was an outdoor dinner held in the Hall of Waters Circle Drive.  Proceeds from the event are being used to establish a mural fund to continue the addition of murals to the streetscape of Downtown Excelsior Springs.  During the benefit dinner, DEP also recognized award winners for their outstanding efforts to preserve, promote and revitalize Downtown Excelsior Springs.

There were approximately 125 guests present at this year’s dinner.  Guests were able to enjoy mingling with one another during the cocktail hour and were able to participate in the wine toss event.  Just before dinner was served, a welcome and introduction to the evening was given by Executive Director, Lyndsey M. Baxter.  Baxter gave a recap of the work of DEP over the course of the last year, “I remember a time a short while ago that I could quickly give a recap and run through the work of our 4 DEP Committees.  My how things have changed… It has truly been a please sure to be a part of the growth that this organization has achieved and is continuing to achieve.  So what was once 4 is now 11 committees, all of which are completing some great work for our downtown.”  DEP Board Secretary, Mark Spohn, then gave prayer before releasing for dinner.

Following dinner, the dessert auction commenced, led by DEP Board Member, Jim McCullough.  This year’s dessert auction raised nearly $8,000 toward the mural projects with Baxter’s dessert raising $1,500 toward the cause.

After the dessert auction, Baxter began to recognized award winners.  Before beginning to revitalization awards, Baxter gave special recognition and thanks to DEP staffer, Betty Bissell.  Bissell recently hit 10 years of employment for DEP and Baxter praised her willingness to grow and adapt with the organization.  The other awards given during the evening included Newcomer of the Year, Fishing River Market; Best Beautification Project, Broadway Bar & Grill, back deck expansion; Cornerstone Business of the Year, Wabash BBQ; and Premier Supporter of the Year, Christmas Committee.

Baxter thanked the many sponsors and volunteers that made the event possible.  The evening ended with attendees further celebrating accomplishments and looking forward to the future of Downtown Excelsior Springs.