Jessica Ortiz, 12, and Mary Jean Montag discuss a musical selection Saturday during a cabaret and dinner at St. Luke Lutheran Church and School in Jefferson Township. The event, which previously had been hosted annually by Knoch High School, provided a turkey dinner and entertainment from the 1920s, '30s and '40s while raising nearly $1,000 for local food banks. Also, about 130 senior citizens were sponsored by individuals and businesses so they could have a free night out.

JEFFERSON TWP — When Knoch High School decided to stop hosting an annual cabaret this year, a few devotees decided the show would go on.

With help from a group of hardworking volunteers, Kim Wetzel, 48, of Penn Township and her friend Lynn Turner hosted the event instead on Saturday at St. Luke Lutheran Church and School.

As well as providing a turkey dinner and entertainment from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, the event raised close to $1,000 for local food banks. It also gave more than 130 senior citizens a free night out.

"We were able to have every senior's ticket paid for by someone," said Wetzel, explaining how various businesses and individuals sponsored at least one senior by paying for the $12 tickets.

Although a few of the senior attendees drove to the venue on Hannahstown Road, many arrived in buses or vans from Concordia Lutheran Ministries, St. John Specialty Care Center, Fair Winds Manor, Shelbourne Assisted Living, Elmcroft of Saxonburg and New Haven Court at Clearview.

The attendees were ushered in, served and then entertained by about 10 volunteers of all ages. A singalong concluded the event.

Doris Patterson, 83, of Winfield Township was among seniors attending the cabaret. A resident of independent living facilities at Concordia, Patterson attended with her husband James "Mick" McKee and friends who live nearby.

"The help was all so very nice and kind and wanted to do everything that they could for us when they were serving us our dinner," Patterson said.

"The entertainment was very nice," she added. "It was mostly young people that sang, and they were very good, very talented."

Although most of the 165 attendees hailed from the senior facilities, Vivien Drewencki, 77, of Winfield Township was among a few who saw the cabaret advertised.

Drewencki and four friends attended as members of the Red Hat Society after seeing the event posted at Thoma Meat Market in Saxonburg.

"It was very good," Drewencki said. "It was hometown: mostly high school age or even younger performing songs from back in my era," she said.

"The young girls were like the waitresses. They were very helpful and very pleasant. They couldn't do enough for you."

Between the positive feedback and money raised for charity, Wetzel said the event will likely occur again.

"The seniors got out and had a great time. The performers had fun, and everybody's saying 'When we do this next year,'" she said.