Wearing a rainbow-colored dress and surrounded by pastel décor, Jane DuComb, 73, was transported back to the 1950s as she swirled along a small dance floor with her husband.

However, DuComb was not dancing in a retro dance hall, she was moving along the floor of the Cass County Council on Aging’s dining room at the annual Meals on Wheels Fundraiser.

The COA’s Cruise in for Meals on Wheels Fundraiser drew dozens to the organization’s Lowe Center on Decatur Road Saturday evening. The 1950s themed event served as a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels. The COA received donations from from many local individuals and organizations, including Chemical Bank, with a matching donation of $10,000 from the McLaughlin Foundation.

For the price of a $40 ticket, attendees to the event were served a multi-course meal, live music and given the chance to bid on a number of silent auction items. A cash bar was also made available for those looking to drink alcohol or soda.

While most every attendant of the event came because they believe the COA and Meals on Wheels are worthy causes, many also saw the event as a way to relive the glory days and enjoy an event that celebrated the 1950s.

“We went to high school in the ‘50s, so all that music sounds real nice to us,” said DuComb, a resident of Cassopolis. “We don’t go dancing very often. The music has to be right, the event has to be right. This is perfect for us, and it’s likely perfect for everybody here.”

Organizer Heather Carter said the COA made every effort to make the event pleasurable for those who attended, a process which took months. The effort could be seen in the many decorations, from pastel guitars to a vintage milkshake machine and in the choice of a live band, local artists Rum Boogie, who played music from the 1950s.

“The vision was to bring back memories of the ‘50s for those who were present during that time, but our goal was to bring fun for people,” Carter said. “Our ultimate goal, however, was to raise money for Meals on Wheels so that people in Cass County can afford to eat and have nutritious meals.”

COA employee Sandi Hoger said that this was the first time in several years that the COA has put on a 1950s themed event. As 1950s themes have been popular in the past, the organization saw this year’s fundraiser as the perfect time to revisit the theme.

“We like to make these things fun,” Hoger said. “We’ve done Hollywood and Olympic themes in the past. We like to have a good time.”

Carter said this year’s fundraiser was a success, with the COA selling more than 100 tickets.

“This is about as big a number as we usually expect and typically budget for,” Carter said. “But we are at compacity. It’s busy.”

While the party was fun for most involved due to the theme, attendees made sure not to forget the importance behind the fundraiser.

“We are here to support the COA, which we think is an incredible organization that our county is so lucky to have here,” DuComb said. “That is really why we are all here.”