*Sunday, Sept. 29, Pizzeria Piccola will host the nonprofit organization Wisconsin Adopt A Golden Retriever, Inc. (WAAGR) to help the organization raise funds to care for its Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes. WAAGR volunteers and members will staff the restaurant and will collect a profit from every meal sold at the restaurant and ordered out. Members will also take home all tips. The fundraiser, which is part of Pizzeria Piccola’s “Society Sundays” philanthropic initiative, will run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant is located at 7606 W. State St. in Wauwatosa. For a list of Pizzeria Piccola’s menu items and information about its “Society Sundays,” visit www.pizzeriapiccola.com. For more information about WAAGR, visit www.waagr.org.
*Tuesday, Oct. 1, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation will hold Birktoberfest to raise funds in support of a permanent starting area for the American Birkebeiner, which prides itself as the largest cross country ski marathon in North America. The race must establish rights to its trail and start area in order to continue each year. The benefit event will be held at Lapham Peak Hausmann Nature Center, located at W329N846 Hwy. C in Delafield, and will include a silent auction, a buffet dinner with drinks, and a speech by Olympian and Birkie Champion Caitlin Gregg. Event check in will begin at 6 p.m. with an optional workout experience with Gregg beforehand at 4 p.m. Admission costs $50 for individuals and $400 for a table of eight. For more information, visit www.birkie.com/milwaukee. Click here to register.
*Thursday, Oct. 3, Target Free First Thursday will grant free admission to visitors at the Milwaukee Art Museum, located at 700 N. Art Museum Dr. in Milwaukee. Admission is free from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the first Thursday of each month, courtesy of Target. For more information, visit http://mam.org/calendar/events/.
*Sunday, Oct. 6, Bryon’s Run for Paralysis 5k run/walk/roll will raise funds to support the Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation, which contributes dollars toward medical research of a cure for paralysis and provides assistance and resources to individuals impacted by neurological disorders. The fundraising event, sponsored and hosted by Carroll University, will take place at the Carroll University Schneider Stadium, located at 240 N. Barstow St. in Waukesha. Registration will start at 8 a.m., followed by pre-race stretching at 8:30 a.m., the walk at 9 a.m., the roll at 9:10 a.m. and the run at 9:15 a.m. The event is open to the public, and participants will take home a race t-shirt. Pre-registration fees cost $15 for Carroll University and staff; $25 for alumni, spouses and the general public; and $60 for families. Day of registration costs $20 for Carroll University students and staff and $30 for alumni, spouses and the general public. For more information or to register, visit www.brpf.org.
*Thursday, Oct. 10, the Milwaukee Center for Independence (MCFI) will hold the “Works of Heart” Fundraiser to support its programming geared toward children with disabilities and children working to overcome other significant life challenges. The fundraiser is a component of MCFI’s Campaign for Kids, a fundraising effort to ramp up support for its Birth to Three program, Pediatric Skilled Nursing program, SmartBaby program, the School for Early Development and Achievement charter school, and Wells Street Academy. “Works of Heart,” which is being hosted by WISN-TV meteorologist Sally Severson, will include food from MCFI’s Hospitality Academy, live music, a silent auction, artwork for purchase and more. Tickets cost $50. The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MCFI’s Main Campus in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building, located at 2020 W. Wells St. in Milwaukee. To register, click here.