COVINGTON — A Tristate Mardi Gras celebration that benefits the needy is seeking celebrants for its 11th annual party showcasing more than 30 Northern Kentucky restaurants.

IF YOU GO

• When: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 12.     • Where: Northern Kentucky Convention Center, Covington.     • Cost: Individual tickets are $35.    • Information: Tickets are available by calling the Northern Kentucky Restaurant Association at (859) 291-6572 or by contacting one of the agencies benefiting from the event. To donate items for the auction, call the restaurant association.

        This year's “Fat Tuesday” Mardi Gras on Feb. 12 is especially important because regular donations are down at the participating social service agencies, said Gordy Snyder, event chairman.

        He said the poor economy and donations to New York after Sept. 11 have resulted in a 30 percent drop in contributions for Bethany House Services in East Fairmount, Brighton Center's Homeward Bound in Covington, Mercy/Franciscan at St. John's in Over-The-Rhine and Welcome House of Northern Kentucky in Covington.

        Last year, the four agencies helped more than 40,000 clients.

        “This year, our donations are down significantly, just like about every other charity,” said Stephanie Brown, volunteer coordinator with Mercy Franciscan at St. John.

        At Welcome House, which serves about 10,000 people a year who are homeless or risk becoming homeless, donations of food and personal hygiene items are down from previous years, said Volunteer Coordinator Hannah Hofheinz.

        Since it began, the restaurant association's Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras has raised nearly $300,000, Mr. Snyder said. This year's goal is $50,000.

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