In collaboration with the Gerry No. 5 Veterans Firemen’s Association, the Marblehead Counseling Center is hosting A Night at the Gerry, with all proceeds raised going to the center and the Marblehead Food Pantry.
The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Gerry, and will feature a performance by the Guy Ford Band, exciting raffles, a cash bar and food for sale. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and ticket prices are $25 per person.
“The Marblehead Counseling Center has been serving the people in the community for a very long time and we’re proud to do that,” Counseling Center Marketing Specialist Isabella Moore said. “It’s events like these that go a long way with providing us the ability to do that in the community and for the community.
In addition, to benefit the food pantry, attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the event.
While both serve the Marblehead community, the counseling center and food pantry also assist community members in other towns and cities in the area, such as Swampscott and Salem.
Moore added that the donations can potentially be used to provide for clinicians and increase their ability to handle more clients, as well as support the center’s day-to-day operations.
The winter months can also be a time of higher food insecurity. Moore said that the timing of this event can substantially help those who may be struggling to obtain meals during the holidays.
“This is a perfect time for them to be able to get that (food) from the food pantry,” she said. “We’re really excited to also have this event benefit them.”
As nonprofit organizations, fundraising events are a key part to keeping resources available for community members. As the world continues to climb out of the haze of the pandemic, there has been an increase in demand for mental-health resources, which has also driven the costs of providing these resources up.
That demand has been experienced in the last few years by the counseling center, the waitlist of which, at points, has risen to hundreds of people amidst counselor shortages.
These events are how places like the counseling center are able to keep up in order to provide for the public, according to Moore.
“I think events like these go a long way in being able to provide for future events, but also the people that really need the help,” Moore said.
Tickets are available for purchase in person or online at https://tinyurl.com/4s9amfeh. Tickets can also be purchased at the MCC and Gerry, or by contacting Arthur Dodge at the Gerry at 978-998-0441. Raffle tickets will be available the night of the event at $2 each or $25 for 25.
Even those who cannot attend are welcome to purchase tickets to make donations and drop off non-perishable food items at the Gerry.