Firefly Fall Flannel Fling returns to Ditmars Orchard Sept. 26

Firefly will return to Ditmars Orchard Sept. 26 for its annual Fall Flannel Fling, bringing together live music, food, family activities and fundraising to support children and families across western Iowa.

The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and marks the second year Firefly has held the fundraiser at Ditmars Orchard. Firefly Executive Director and CEO Kimberly Kolakowski said the setting is designed to feel like a fall gathering with flannel, a bonfire, tractor rides and activities spread throughout the orchard. Live music will be provided by Spare Change, while Tasty Treat will serve dinner and offer signature sundaes created for the event. Junge Produce will provide fall mums, and guests will also have access to raffles, drinks and other activities throughout the evening.

One of the featured attractions will be the pumpkin pull, which works much like the wine pulls often found at fundraising events. Guests purchase a pumpkin, and some will have prizes attached to the bottom. The prizes include tickets and gift certificates for attractions and businesses throughout the area. Regardless of whether a prize is attached, participants keep the pumpkin they select. “You keep the pumpkin, you put it on your stoop or you carve it for Halloween, whatever you’re going to do with your pumpkins,” Kolakowski said.

Firefly officials said the event is intended to remain affordable for families while still raising money for the organization. A family package is available for about $150 and includes admission for two adults and four children, dinner, drinks and access to the orchard activities, tractor rides, bonfire and live music.

The fundraiser also reflects the partnerships Firefly has developed with businesses across southwest Iowa. Kolakowski noted that local businesses such as Tasty Treat and Junge Produce have supported the event and helped the organization extend its reach. “This is what is great about our community, partnerships between private business and nonprofits and really everybody coming together to lift up a cause,” Kolakowski said. “Our job is to lift up those who need the support. So when we’re lifted up, we pass that on and our whole community benefits.”

Kolakowski said that spirit of cooperation has been one of the things that has kept her committed to working in the Council Bluffs area since first coming to the community in 2004. She has seen nonprofits work together rather than compete when a need arises, with organizations often deciding which group is best positioned to handle each part of a problem. “It’s not about who gets credit,” she added. “It’s about who can we help and how many can we help.”

Firefly provides services aimed at supporting families with young children across western Iowa, and staff members say the demand for those services continues to grow. Kolakowski acknowledged that being busier than ever is not necessarily good news because it reflects increasing need, but the organization remains focused on helping families get off to a strong start.

Firefly is also holding two volunteer Days of Service earlier in the month as part of its effort to expand its volunteer program. The sessions are scheduled for Sept. 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus. Volunteers will help with projects that include mailings, assembling wellness kits, preparing items for upcoming trunk-or-treat events and other tasks that can free staff members to spend more time working directly with children and families.

Andrew Spitznagel said Firefly is working toward becoming an accredited Service Enterprise organization, which places greater emphasis on developing and maintaining an active volunteer program. “We can’t do it all by ourselves,” he said. “Volunteers certainly help in a way that moves our mission forward.”

Families are welcome to participate in the Days of Service, although children age 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Spitznagel noted that the events can also give parents an opportunity to introduce children to volunteering and community service.

Tickets for the Sept. 26 Fall Flannel Fling and registration information for the Days of Service are available at firefly.kids and through Firefly’s social media pages.