Clearlake >> Staff at the Highlands Senior Service Center (HSSC) are in the midst of planning the facility’s Annual Benefit Dinner/Dance set for Sept. 10.
Last year’s event had to be cancelled when the HSSC became an evacuation center to house residents displaced by the Rocky and Valley fires.
Center staff and volunteers strove to create an atmosphere that was light and relaxing, and more like a summer camp than an evacuation center, according to executive director Joyce Overton. Evacuees set up cots in the center auxiliary room and pitched tents out under the walnut trees on the center grounds. Staff made sure that all of the fire “visitors” had food, snacks and drinks, and provided entertainment for them in the form of music, ice cream socials and camaraderie.
Some even stayed for a few days after they had been cleared to go home because their friends were still under evacuation orders.
“We were proud to be able to help our fellow community members during this difficult time in their lives,” Overton said.
However, HSSC’s programs and outreach depend heavily on donations, and the annual dinner/dance is one of its biggest fundraisers each year. They suffered an incalculable loss with the cancellation of the event last September, administrative assistant Teresa Gottschall stated.
This year, the HSSC’s Annual Benefit Dinner/Dance will serve two purposes. In addition to raising funds for senior programs, the fundraiser will be a commemoration of the Rocky and Valley fires. HSSC staff would like to honor the recoveries of their evacuee visitors, first responders to these disasters and the volunteers who aided during the evacuation, some of whom are still working to help those who suffered loses, Overton said.
Dinner will be prepared by Chatterbox Catering, and the Lakeshore Lions will have a no-host bar. Dining entertainment will be provided by David Neft, and after dinner guests can dance to the music of Lou Derr and Bootleg.
Advance tickets for this event cost $35. They are available at the senior center in Clearlake, Watershed Book Store in Lakeport and Two Women Traders in Middletown. Tickets can be purchased with cash or credit cards.
Businesses and fraternal organizations can also become sponsors by purchasing a table for the event. Details on sponsorship opportunities are available by calling HSSC at (707) 994-3051
All proceeds from the Dinner/Dance go toward the HSSC’s nutritional programs and activities.
For more information call HSSC at (707) 994- 3051, or drop by the office at 3245 Bower Ave. in Clearlake.