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Jamie Smith, tbnewswatch.com
Johnny deBakker holds up tickets for his party.
As long as people keep giving, an annual Christmas party will continue to rock.
Johnny deBakker and Katie Ischkin started the Ischkinakker Shaker a decade ago as a way to get all of their friends together who had left town for school .
“We made this happen so that everyone could get together quickly and see everybody,” deBakker said.
And the two must have a lot of friends to see. The annual charity gathers more than 1,000 people and has raised more than $110,000 for local charities. This year the party is hoping to raise $20,000 for the Regional Food Distribution Association.
“It’s a very difficult time of the year for so many people. Kids have these expectations of a magical Christmas and a lot of people just can’t provide them,” deBakker said.
“If it wasn’t for the people who keep coming out year after year after year opening their pockets and donating money to these charitiesthere would be no reason to do this.”
As for the shaker itself, deBakker said it’s very festive. It’s a great way to see old friends and make some new ones.
“Very merry. A lot of dancing and singing.”
The party starts Sunday evening at the CLE. Tickets are $15.