Support a good cause without becoming a charity case

The society pages always look so chic. Beautiful people dressed to the nines, toasting each other and their respective community causes with fine wines and bubbly.

You'd love to be a do-gooder in your own right, to be part of a principled party, and maybe even rub elbows with those finely tailored, sleek specimens supporting societal change. If only your bank account were as towering as your convictions.

You can always donate your time, which won't cost you a cent, but every now and then you want the added fulfillment of gathering with comrades in festive support of a worthy cause. To give your social calendar the philanthropic boost you're looking for, we've rounded up eight events for 2008 that require less than $100 dollars to attend.

FareStart's "Guest Chef Night"
Every Thursday night is an opportunity for Seattleites to give to those in need at FareStart, one of our community's most respected nonprofit groups, which helps homeless and disadvantaged individuals with food-industry job training and placement. Guest Chef Night brings a notable chef from the Seattle restaurant community into the kitchen with FareStart students to prepare a three-course meal for patrons. The night is prix fixe at $24.95, with all proceeds and gratuities benefiting the program and student training. FareStart also offers other engagements throughout the year. On Jan. 27, join FareStart at Oceanaire for A School of Fish, a dinner of seasonal seafood and local wines ($75). July 8's Guest Chef on the Waterfront unites several of Seattle's signature restaurants, local wines and beers, with games and live music on Pier 66 ($75). For more information or to make reservations go to www.farestart.org or call 206-443-1233.

Lifelong Aids Alliance's Gay Bingo
Tickets to Lifelong Aids Alliance's Gay Bingo events sell out every month, so you may want to plan more than just your outfit ahead of time for these rollicking, themed excursions into campy competition. This year's agenda boasts Rock Star Bingo in February, Revenge of the Nerds Bingo in March, Pillow Talk Bingo in April, Broadway Bingo in May, and Big Gay Prom Bingo in June. Each night costs $25 and is held at the South Lake Union Naval Reserve Building. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit www.llaa.org or call 206-328-8979.

Children's Hospital's "Walk the Red Carpet"
Pick out your prettiest frock or your most dapper suit Feb. 24 and go to the 80th Academy Awards with Seattle's world-renowned Children's Hospital. Fifty dollars will get you a seat to watch the Coen Brothers and Tim Burton duke it out for Best Director, or just a closer look at what Jack might be hiding behind his sunglasses. Regardless of what you may want to see happen on the big screen, this event at Lincoln Square Cinemas in Bellevue is money well spent on tots who need specialized care. $50. For more information see www.seattlechildrens.org/ or call 206-987-4876.

Gilda's Club's "Bags & Bottles"
If you loved "Sex and the City" for its fashion and friendships but know there's more to life than shopping and relationships, this is the event for you. Gilda's Club, named for comedian Gilda Radner, is a cancer support center for sufferers, survivors and families. On March 9, this fabulous -- and we mean that -- organization will host its second annual Bags & Bottles fundraiser at the W Seattle. The posh event requires attendees to bring purses -- new or in new condition -- to be auctioned while sommelier David LeClaire uncorks wines from 30 wineries. Local boutiques will display their latest handbags while you sip and chat the evening away. $35 before Feb. 15, $40 after. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.gildasclubseattle.com or call 206-709-1400.

Youth in Focus's annual auction
Most of us can relate to how significant a mentor is during adolescence, and most remember how disarming those years can be. Youth in Focus is a youth development organization, begun and based in Seattle, that works to influence teens ages 13 to 19 through the vocation of photography. The group fosters life skills in underprivileged teens and helps them to examine their lives through a creative lens. YIF's annual auction and banquet raises nearly 25 percent of the income needed to fund its programs. Up for auction April 18 are works by the students, as well as art and photographs taken by professionals in the industry. $70-$80. For more information go to www.youthinfocus.org/ or call 206-407-2122.

CARA's "Wine and Roses"
Communities Against Rape and Abuse (CARA) is a Seattle-based, grassroots organization promoting communication about, support for and prevention against domestic abuse and sexual crimes. Join the 9-year-old organization April 26 for its inaugural silent auction fundraiser. The event will take place at Pravda Studios, a hip Capitol Hill space at 10th and Union. Come show your support for CARA's amazing breadth of contributions to elder care, rape survivors and women's rights, globally and at home. Enjoy wine while you take in political art and the free-flowing conversation that comes from open advocacy. $35. For more information go to www.cara-seattle.org or call 206-322-4856. To purchase tickets, visit www.brownbagtickets.com.

Noise for the Needy
The venues, the charities and the bands may change, but this is Seattle's own favorite way to see the hottest local and traveling musical acts while supporting more than just bar owners and their liquor licenses. Noise for the Needy assesses applications from Seattle nonprofits, chooses one and raises tens of thousands of dollars in a week for this deserving organization by staging shows at the city's coolest bars and clubs. Last year's venues included the Sunset Tavern, the Comet, the Funhouse, Neumo's and Chop Suey. And among the bands that raised $24,000 for Rise ‘n Shine, an HIV/AIDS support service for affected youth, were Common Market, Cancer Rising, the Cops, Okkervil River, Das Llamas, Head Like a Kite and Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter. This year, the event will be held June 11-15; venues have not yet been announced. $5-$15. For more information visit www.noisefortheneedy.org.

Pratt Fine Arts Center's open house and holiday art sale
Pratt Fine Arts Center in the Central District is a nonprofit art school and studio. Throughout the year, the center's events give ample opportunity to explore various crafts and the school's facilities. In November, One Hot Night offers the public the chance to see craftsmen blow glass, forge steel and sculpt. On this occasion, just the cost of drinks and pizza benefit the organization. During the holiday season, Pratt opens its doors again for a measly admittance fee ($20 in 2007) opening night, and free for the rest of the week in December, to those seeking unique gifts or a chance to view locally made wares and mingle with other aesthetes. For more information, see www.pratt.org or call 206-328-2200.

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