OKEECHOBEE – Our Village will sponsor Quarters for a Cause fundraising events on the third Tuesday of each month at the Okeechobee County Civic Center, 1750 U.S. 98.

During their Jan. 8 meeting, Okeechobee County Commissioners agreed to waive the use fees for the nonprofit event.

Quarters for a Cause is a fundraising opportunity for people who are in crisis, explained Leah Suarez of Our Village. Each month a person or group is selected. Past recipients have included people struggling with cancer, young children with heart issues and those injured in accidents. Suarez said the quarter auctions raise money for that person or group. The auctions are also a lot of fun, she added.

 “Our Village has some amazing cooks, and we’re going to be offering food,” she added.

“Miss Leah does such a great job helping the people of our county. I have no doubt this will be conducted without fail,” said Commissioner Brad Goodbread.

Quarters for a Cause events are planned at the Okeechobee Civic Center on Jan. 27, Feb. 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20 and Dec. 15.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The Quarters for a Cause action starts at 7 p.m.

Suarez said January's Quarters for a Cause will benefit the family of George Watson, who passed away on Thanksgiving after battling brain cancer.

The event was originally planned for December at the American Legion, but was postponed  because the Legion is no longer open on Tuesdays.

On March 17, Quarters for a Cause will be at the C. Scott Driver pavillion on State Road 78, on the east side of the Kissimmee River.

For more details on the fundraisers, see future editions of the Lake Okeechobee News.