Easter Seals of La Salle and Bureau Counties is to benefit from Ottawa Business Builders' first major fundraising event.

The Ottawa group is hosting "A Moment in Time: A Black and White Ball" on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Knights of Columbus Hall,401 W. Main St., Ottawa. All proceeds will benefit Easter Seals in Ottawa.

OBB is a lead referral networking group that meets regularly to refer leads and promote each other's businesses. Event Co-Chair Tami Thomas said OBB makes donations to Easter Seals' telethon every year, but decided to take it a step further this year.

"This year we decided the group really needed something to focus on, besides our meeting," Thomas said. "Easter Seals is just something that's been closer to their heart."

Shelley Threadgill, director of marketing and development at Easter Seals, said Easter Seals has struggled like other nonprofits being negatively impacted by the state funding issues and economy.

"(State funding) is coming in slow. That's the biggest part. We always fall short," Threadgill said. "We are able to provide a lot through private pay insurance. The remainder is through the state, but they only pay a percentage. That's why we have extra events — to make up for the events not covered with any other funding."

Easter Seals served more than 500 children in 2009. Some examples of what donations will be used for include: Providing a screening for a child whose parents are concerned that their child is not developing on a "normal" basis, providing a parent resources for the Autism Resource Center, providing before and after school care for a child and providing a week of childcare, so a parent can afford to work.

Tickets will be $25 per person and will include full buffet dinner, dessert table, cash bar, silent auction items, raffles and music and dancing. The cocktail hour and silent auction begin at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and dancing from 8 to 11 p.m.

Tickets are available at Easter Seals, 1013 Adams St.; Financial Plus Credit Union, 800 Chestnut St., Ottawa; The Book Mouse, 820 Ottawa Ave., Ottawa; and the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce, 633 La Salle St., Ottawa. Tickets may also be purchased by contacting Thomas at 815-434-2539 or Event Co-Chair Cherie Reynolds at 815-433-3222. No tickets will be sold at the door.

OBB is asking for donations to be used as silent auction or raffle items. Donations can be a product, service or gift certificate. Cash donations also are welcome. OBB will arrange to pick up all contributions prior to the start of the event. Participating businesses will be represented on signage at the event.

OBB's goal is to donate 100 percent of the ticket price back to Easter Seals. It is looking for corporate sponsorships. As a corporate sponsor, a business would be included in all of OBB's marketing material, as well as at the event.

Mister Penguin Tuxedo, 909 Clinton St., Ottawa, is offering a special tuxedo rental price for the event, in addition to donating 10 percent of each rental back to Easter Seals as well. The Knights of Columbus donated the cost of the hall rental for this event. Annette Barr Photography Studio, 722 La Salle St., Ottawa, will have a studio area at the event for those who would like their picture taken with a portion of those sales also going to Easter Seals.