Carolyn Jensen, Children's Justice Center director, said the money raised by the board at the event is instrumental in keeping the center open.
The event got its name because people attending are welcome to arrive in a tux or gown, or jeans, or anything in between.
"We just want everyone to come," Jensen said.
The night will be jam-packed with activities that include a wide variety of dinner options, silent and live auctions, karaoke, a DJ, and a casino night. Last year, the event raised more than $13,000.
"That is huge," Jensen said.
Board members are hoping that the event this year will raise just as much or more than last year.
This is the seventh year for the event and 225 tickets have already been purchased.
"Everybody seems to be familiar with this fund-raiser now," Jensen said.
The Children's Justice Center was established in 1996 and helps local children who have been abused. At the center professionals can interview abuse victims in a safe and comfortable environment. The interviews are taped and used in criminal and Child Protective Service investigations, so children don't have to relive abuse by being interviewed several times.
A team of people working at the center also review child abuse cases to make sure investigations are going well and that everything is prepared to turn over to the county attorney's office, which will then decide if there is enough evidence for prosecution.
Judy Millburn, a member of the CJC Friends Board, said she believes in the program and the help it gives children who have suffered from abuse.
"The trauma the children suffer from the ordeal they go through is bad enough, let alone having to go through the trauma again by being interrogated so many times," she said. "With the Justice Center, they only have to be asked questions once so they don't have to keep reliving the experience."
The board has been having trouble getting local businesses to donate to the event. The lack of support could be because some people don't know what the Justice Center does, Millburn said.
"There's a lot of other things businesses get asked to donate money for, but there's nothing more important than this," she said.
Jensen said everyone on the Justice Center's board is a volunteer, as are all of the people helping with the event.
"There are a lot people volunteering a lot of time to make this a successful event," Jensen said.
The fund-raiser starts Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Marguerite's Social Hall. Dinner is from 7:30 until 8:30, the live auction starts at 7:45, and casino-night games start at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $40 per person or 8 for $280. Tickets can be purchased at the door, but it is advisable to call the Children's Justice Center at 843-1161 to reserve seats.
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