WINONA LAKE — Football season is in full swing and what better way to celebrate and raise awareness than a community-size tailgate celebration.

Joe’s Kids held its first-ever tailgate and auction Saturday evening, Sept. 26, at the Winona Lake Trails meadow, Winona Lake.

Guests donned their sportswear and enjoyed a casual, tailgate-themed dinner while a live band entertained. A formal program began at 6 p.m., with the auction following.

The idea behind the event was to raise funds for Joe’s Kids, a nonprofit organization providing physical, occupational and speech therapy for children with developmental delays. It is located at 3540 Commerce Drive, Warsaw.

According to Executive Director, Rebecca Bazzoni, Joe’s Kids currently serves around 130 children, approximately 85 percent from Kosciusko County and approximately 15 percent coming from other counties.

The goal of the event was to raise $60,000, more than half of which had already been donated by local corporate sponsors.

For more information about Joe’s Kids, visit them online or “like” their Facebook page.