STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
It’s a night to invest in safe lives.
The Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault will hold their 2017 Black & White Soiree—the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year—at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 23 at the Trail Creek Pavilion in Sun Valley.
The evening will feature dinner, live auction and a golden raffle ticket. And it will conclude with dancing to the Big Wow Band, a party band from Meridian that wows audiences with a whirlwind tour through Motown, country and golden oldies from the Fifties.
Live auction items include a week-long South African photo safari for two in North East KwaZulu Natal, the use of a Giotto apartment in a 14th century palace in the heart of the Etruscan town of Cortona, Italy, and a chance to enjoy the solar eclipse on a private party in the Sun Valley area with 20 friends.
In addition, board members Liz Kantor, Dr. Tom Archie, Dr. Tom Crais, Julie Berry and Dirk Zondag have put together packages involving pheasant hunts, a double chin removal, cold laser treatments for athletic or repetitive use injuries and more.
Attendees are invited to bring a bottle of wine valued at $20 or more and watch it turn into a thousand dollars for The Advocates’ programs and services.
“It’s an opportunity to have fun and do good all at the same time,” said Danielle Andrews, the Advocates’ communications director.
Tickets are $175 per person, available by contacting Andrews at 208-788-4191 or Danielle@theadvocatesorg.org.
The Advocates, based in Hailey, prevent emotional and physical abuse through education and the shelter and support services they provide. Founded in 1991, its staff go into schools to teach students about safe dating and other relationships, while other team members assist clients with safe shelter, counseling, transitional housing and other necessities of life.
Volunteers can help by sorting clothes at The Attic thrift store, assisting with events at the shelter, working with clients to build crucial life skills such as financial planning, help with mailings, babysit clients’ children, serve as advocates for clients, teach skills like sewing and offer dance or yoga instruction.
Those needing assistance can call the 24-hour hotline at 208-788-6070 or toll free at 888-676-0066.