Raffle raises awareness
Murphy The dresses were sparkly, the music toe-tapping and the food enticing during the annual $5,000 raffle fundraiser to benefit HAVEN Children’s Advocacy Center at the historic Hackney Warehouse on Saturday night.
The cold room soon warmed with pockets of laughter and a full house of friends, neighbors and community supporters who attended the gala to raise money for HAVEN. The nonprofit, founded in 2005, is an action-based advocacy center supporting lives that have been altered because of child abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. It serves hundreds of children in Cherokee and Clay counties every year.
Their mission is to reduce the trauma of violence committed against children, educate the community about their efforts to prevent future violence and strengthen the prosecution of offenders, according to Director Anna James, who said. “HAVEN is for children to be seen, heard, believed and where their healing journey begins.”
Each year, HAVEN hosts a gala fundraiser, offering a fancy dinner, silent auction and raffle as their main fundraising endeavor. On Saturday, party favors of wrapped cookies and tiny pots of honey caught the attention of 9-year-old Owen Swanson.
He attended with his grandmother, Kim Zimmerman. Between bites of honey, Owen said, “I’m here to support abused kids.”
An apt summation of the gatherers. This year’s event, while lovely and festive under the fairy lights and musician Trevor Ciongoli’s honey-toned voice, felt weighted under the purpose of HAVEN itself.
One guest, Lisa Holden, said she was honored to support HAVEN.
“My ex-husband abused my children,” she said, “and I want to do my bit to help women coming behind me.”
Holden said she managed to get out with her children, but understands the fear of living inside an unsafe house.
“I commend any woman who tries to get her children away from a threat,” she said. “It takes a lot of courage.”
The safety and well-being of the children captured the focus of the partygoers. Jesse James – who is intimately involved with HAVEN as his wife, Anna, is the organization’s director – said of HAVEN’s workload, “It’s busy. It’s necessary. I wish it wasn’t, but it is.”
Sherry Barr attended the dinner with her husband, Jim. “It’s wonderful what HAVEN accomplishes,” she said. “The children are so mixed up and confused to begin with, it’s just wonderful how skilled the staff is to do what they do.”
Some guests knew less about HAVEN, but wanted to support any organization that helps local children. Best friends Adrienne Giannelli and Lorna Szewczyk attended together.
Szewzyk’s daughter, Jena, serves on the HAVEN Board of Directors, and Giannelli came along to support her friend. “Her charity is my charity,” she said with a laugh.
Sam Dockery – attending with future husband Blake Dockery, whose name she is already using – said attendance was personal.
“I’ve known someone in that situation,” she said, referring to the type of abuse HAVEN protects children from. “So it’s great to give back and be a part of it.”
Dusty and Monroe Schiestel joined the event through Dusty’s work at the Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel. “There is a club within Harrah’s called the Savvy Group,” she said. “They are Diamond Level sponsors for HAVEN.”
Jeanne Hunt drove in from Marietta, Ga., to support HAVEN’s efforts at fundraising. She is a former John C. Campbell Folk School quilting instructor with ties in the community.
“I just want to support HAVEN,” she said, “How could you not? I’m sorry we have to, but there is a need.”
Anna James said the funds raised will be put to good use.
“As HAVEN covers 100 percent of all services and assistance,” she said, “the money raised will be used for direct client services, such as individual and family counseling, emergency shelter, assistance with food insecurities and many more needs.”
James joined HAVEN in 2014 as a young college graduate.
“I still vividly remember the first child I ever served through the center, a little girl suffering from the vile acts being committed by a parent,” she said. “That day, a passion was ignited in me to help end the hidden epidemic of child abuse, while supporting children through their journey of healing, reclaiming hope and childhood again.
“The organization depends on the community. We are exceedingly grateful for each person whose kindness allows us to help protect children.”
For details on ways to become involved, visit havencac.org.