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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Puttin’ on da Ritz brings community members and businesses together every year.  But unlike business after hours events, Puttin’ on da Ritz contributes financially to the community.  The fund-raiser includes dinner, music, and more than 100 donated prizes.

The Dickinson Area Partnership spends $10,000 locally every year to hold the event.

"It's very important for us to be economically strong in our communities,” said Dickinson Area Partnership Chamber Director, Linda Zanon.  “We have to support our businesses and not just the big ones or the little ones, but all of us because, again, without their support and us supporting them, where would we be?"

One of the biggest beneficiaries of Puttin’ on da Ritz is Bay College West.  This year the partnership is giving away seven Bay West scholarships worth $500 each.  The scholarships give both traditional and nontraditional students a reason to stay close to home.

"This could help six or seven students,” said Bay West Executive Dean Dr. Patrick Kennedy.  “We're roughly an 800 student body, so you do the math.  That's one percent of our student body that these scholarships can help, and that may not seem like a lot, but that's huge."

Zanon said the event is always well liked and attended by the community.  The goal is to push the 'keep it local' message.

"I think without us spreading that message continually, it would weaken us as a link,” Zanon said.  “This helps us working again not only here in Dickinson County, but with our border alliances which is so very important as well."

Bay West is happy to benefit from the event and is even happier to be part of the partnerships long-term plans for Dickinson County. 

Puttin’ on da Ritz is this Saturday at Pine Grove Country Club.