CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The organization that oversees the Lake County Safe House reported that it held a successful fundraiser this past weekend.

On Saturday, March 25, Lake Community Pride Foundation hosted its inaugural Spring Equinox Dinner/Dance fundraiser at the Highlands Community Center in Clearlake.

The close-to-sold-out event brought around 100 people together to support the Lake County Safe House, a teen shelter managed by foundation, according to foundation President Bruno Sabatier

“It was a pleasure to see such great support from our community for such a great cause...helping our most vulnerable population, our youth,” said Sabatier. “It has been over 10 years and approximately 70 young community members that we have been able to help overcome life's hurdles. We get to continue the legacy of the Safe House with the support that we've received tonight.”

Sabatier said the event was catered by the Chatter Box, the Highlands Senior Center catering team. Led by alumni culinary arts students from Woodland Community College, the cooking staff offered a delicious appetizer complete with homemade Caesar dressing and a plentiful entrée choice of eggplant or chicken Parmesan.

To finish the meal, Woodland Community College's Culinary Arts department donated a wonderful chocolate mousse dessert in support of the event, he said.

The event was complimented by a silent auction, a prize drawing table, and a live auction where the final item, chocolate covered strawberries, were being competitively bid on by two separate tables. Sabatier said lots of great items were on display such as wine baskets, art pieces, jewelry, gift cards, and more with 50 items to choose from.

When dinner was over, the party started. The music for the evening was played by The Rotarians who kept playing until the last hour with attendees dancing and enjoying their rhythm, Sabatier said.

Sabatier said all of the proceeds from the event went directly to the maintenance and upkeep of the house as well as the welfare of the Safe House tenants. All board members and counselors for the Safe House are strictly volunteers.

He estimated that it costs $24,000 a year to cover all of the Safe House’s costs – including maintenance, taxes, insurance, food and other expenses.

The foundation has been doing a single annual fundraiser with its fall golf tournament. However, Sabatier said costs have increased – particularly, energy bills and food prices – therefore the organizations has been forced to have two fundraisers to ensure that the program can continue.

Lake Community Pride Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit group. If you are interested in donating to their cause, send your donations to P.O. Box 1042, Lower Lake, CA 95457 or for more information contact Sabatier at 707-695-0834.