OASIS Hosts Silver Anniversary Dinner May 2

By Jeff Eason

OASIS, Inc. (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information and Shelter), will celebrate its 25th anniversary in the High Country with a special fund-raising dinner on Friday, May 2, at Coffey’s in Boone. The event is scheduled for 6-11 p.m. and will include food, fun, a silent auction and live music.

“The event is a way for us to honor some of the people who started OASIS, many of whom continue to work with the organization,” said OASIS director Jennifer Herman.

The OASIS silver anniversary party will feature music by Ken and Amy Laderoute of the band Laditude, a menu specially designed by the chef at Coffey’s, and a silent auction with dozens of great items donated by OASIS supporters. Tickets are $25 per person and include the cost of the dinner.

The singing duo of Ken and Amy LaDeroute will perform at the OASIS Silver Anniversary Party at Coffey’s on May 2nd.

“We have been looking forward to the party for almost a year,” said OASIS Children’s Program Coordinator Kelly Forney. “It’s going to be so much fun. But it will also be a way we can all celebrate the community’s effort to end domestic violence and sexual assault.”

OASIS urges all guests to wear something silver to show support of the organization’s work in the High Country during the past quarter century. If you cannot attend the celebration, but would like to make a contribution, you can still purchase a “Guest of Honor” ticket to be given to OASIS clients and volunteers.

OASIS, Inc., was founded in 1978 and remains a private, non-profit organization whose mission is, “the intervention in and prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault via direct services to victims, crisis intervention and education.”

OASIS has a staff of eleven and provides these services to Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga counties. Services provided by OASIS include:

• Free confidential shelter
• 24-hour crisis line (262-5032) and (800-268-1488)
• Individual crisis intervention
• Companionship for victims as they go through medical and legal processes
• Support groups for victims and children
• Assistance securing resources (housing, financial, daycare, employment, etc.)
• Volunteer training programs
• Educational programs for the community

Last year OASIS worked with 171 clients, sheltered and fed 19 women and 52 of their children. OASIS volunteers answered 552 crisis calls from people all over the High Country. OASIS depends on trained volunteers to man crisis lines and to help with other duties.

OASIS also depends on the community to help with supplies to run the organization. Right now the wish list includes items such as pre-paid phone cards, Appalcart passes, a weed-eater, indoor painting supplies, white primer paint, blue painter’s tape, drop cloths, entertainment stand for living room, paper shredder, gift cards from local merchants, working computer with Windows 98 or newer, ladies sweat suits, new ladies underwear and clock alarm radios.

Tickets

Tickets for the OASIS Silver Anniversary Party are $25 per person and can be purchased in advance at Haircut 101, Fitnessworks, the Mast General Store, and Bare Essentials in Boone, and at the Art Cellar in Banner Elk.

For more information, call OASIS at (828) 264-1532.

The Mountain Times