By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma and Blackbelt Regional Abuse Sanctuary’s annual fundraiser is set to be a fun night for people in Selma and the surrounding counties.

The fundraiser, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m. at the George Evans Reception Hall, will consist of a dinner, silent auction, a live auction and a raffle.

“It’s a fun night for us,” said Nancy Travis, executive director of SABRA Sanctuary. “We get businesses to donate items for the auctions.”

Travis said people can expect to see a little bit of everything on the auction block. In years past, Travis said, people have donated hunting trips, beach trips and paintings from local artists.

Before all of the bidding begins, Travis said people will get to socialize as they check out the various items that will be auctioned off.

“We have a social hour where we have someone who sings and plays music,” Travis said.

The social hour is set to start at 6 p.m. The dinner will follow at 7 p.m., and the auctions and raffle begin at 7:30 p.m.

The night is the sanctuary’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

“It has a major [impact],” Travis said. “Last year we raised around $19,000, and we hope to raise even more than that this year.”

The money raised from the fundraiser will go back into the shelter, which provides a multitude of services for victims of domestic violence.

“Of course, we have our shelter services that we provide, but we also have court services that help victims with court cases and protection orders,” Travis said.

Individual tickets are $35 a piece, and a table for eight costs $160. Sponsorship tables are also available at $500.To purchase a table or tickets, call Nancy Travis at 877-4645.