On Friday, March 13, 2020, only one day before Beta Theta’s 2020 Signature Mardi Gras event, the doors of the Clermont Performing Arts Center closed due to COVID restrictions and the event was reluctantly postponed. Past president Toni Bell said, “this was the very first time in 16 years that our annual fundraiser needed to be canceled”. Many of the donations, sponsorships and door prizes were returned or approved for community outreach.
This year, the event was once again postponed due to Covid restrictions but Beta Theta didn’t lose hope and began preparing for what they called “The BEST EVER Mardi Gras Celebration” scheduled for Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the Clermont Performing Arts Center. Recently, Michelle Delaney, this year’s event chairperson, sadly announced, “Again, REALLY? A new variant of COVID, DELTA PLUS is making people really sick and Beta Theta does not want to host a large, inside gathering. We want to bring joy not sickness to the community, thus the decision to postpone the event”. She adds, “It has been rumored that after 17 years, Beta Theta has abandoned its fundraiser, but that’s far from the truth. Mardi Gras will return but in the meantime, we plan to host some safe fun-raisers the won’t jeopardize the health and well-being of our community.
Beta Theta President Sandi Stacy adds, “I have made the tough decision to postpone our signature fundraiser until we can party, sing, eat, and dance in a healthy, joyous and prosperous atmosphere. With the continued rise in Covid Delta variant, our members do not want to jeopardize the health of our sponsors, contributors, supporters and guests. But, fear not, the 17th Beta Theta Mardi Gras will return. We bless and ask that all of you stay safe and free of this horrible virus that has put Clermont on hold. In the meantime, stay tuned, Beta Theta is planning some fun, safe outdoor fundraisers when the weather cools down a bit”.
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Beta Theta was chartered in 1979, raising funds and providing service to the South Lake Community. Over the years Beta Theta has hosted many successful fundraisers to provide scholarships to local High Schools students, as well as a nursing scholarship. Contributions are made to local organizations including Faith Neighborhood Center, Building Blocks Ministries, Boys and Girls Club, Teachers Appreciation, Hospice/Mike Conley House, St. Judes and Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation. They have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to people in need, as well as their many hours of service.
