Entrepreneur on the hunt to lend a hand

TRENTON -- As someone who runs her own concierge business, Alysia Welch-Chester is used to dashing hither and yon for diverse purposes.

So, it should come as no surprise that when she decided to sponsor a fundraiser, she hit on the idea of a scavenger hunt. On Saturday, Oct. 11, participants will have the opportunity to race throughout the capital city as part of the inaugural Trenton Treasure Quest which will benefit the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

"I would love to have this be an annual event, and have a different local non-profit be the recipient of the proceeds each year," said Welch-Chester, who runs Welchester's Concierge. She said she has been an active volunteer in civic causes for years, and started thinking over a year ago about a way to help raise funds for organizations she supports.

In addition to raising money for a worthy cause, she said the scavenger hunt will be a means to showcase some of the city's prominent historical and cultural sites as well as local businesses. The hunt, which will be staged rain or shine, will be open to people of any age, but she said participants will need a vehicle to get around town.

Check-in will be at 11 a.m. and the hunt will begin at noon. The First Baptist Church Lighthouse at 715 Bellevue Ave. will serve as the beginning and endpoint.

The event, dubbed "Part Scavenger Hunt, Part Trivia, All Trenton," will require participants working as teams of two people each to decipher clues around town and accumulate points. There will be prizes, including cash as well as gas cards, Welch-Chester explained.

She said about 30 people have volunteered their brain power to help organize the hunt, and there will be a need on the day of the event for people to help out as well.

She said she is hoping between 250 and 400 people participate. "The more the merrier," she said. "If it's fun, people will show up, and they will come back."

Dennis Micai, executive director of the soup kitchen, was out of town and could not be reached for comment, but Welch-Chester said that he was excited when she talked to him about it.

For Welch-Chester, who is used to being on the go, there is only one problem. "I have a very strong competitive spirit," she said. "As much fun as I'm having planning this, I'm a little bit disappointed I won't be able to participate."

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