Maricopa Mardi Gras nets approx. $40,000

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Helping to make Maricopa’s domestic violence shelter a reality, 280 guests enjoyed Mardi Gras in Maricopa Saturday at the 6th Annual Against Abuse-Maricopa Seeds of Change Gala.

This year’s event, held at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort, featured a sit-down dinner, live and silent auctions, music and the comedy of Susan Vass.

Mardi Gras masks and beads were abundant, and Amy Jamieson was on hand to photograph partygoers.

Seven items were part of the live auction. Orbitel president Keith Kirkman had the winning bid for the king-sized quilt, handcrafted and donated by the Maricopa quilt guild. Kirkman is donating the quilt to the shelter when it is built.

Greg and Brenda Campbell took home the Mission-style dining set and matching hutch, as well as the Tom Lehman golf shoes. The Harrah’s New Orleans trip package went to Ron and Gina Linville, and Dallas and Kathy Paulsen took home a new La-Z-Boy recliner. In all, the live auction raised $6,350 for the shelter.

Area businesses and individuals donated more than 80 silent auctions items for the event, and attendees went home with everything from wine baskets to jewelry to movie tickets, a flat-screen TV, books, a curio cabinet and much more. The silent auction garnered a grand total of $6,980.

The one-carat diamond necklace raffle raised another $2,000 for the shelter.

This year’s “Mardi Gras” celebration made approximately $40,000, although totals are almost complete. That amount, plus monies from previous galas, will enable Against Abuse to build the 6,700-square foot women and children’s domestic violence shelter in Maricopa, hopefully within the calendar year. Ground was broken for the shelter in the fall.

The shelter project started with a group of 15 women, headed by Torri Anderson, wanting to do something to address domestic violence in Maricopa. The 1st Annual Against Abuse Inc. Seeds of Change Gala was held in February 2006, raising more than $60,000 and establishing a building fund.

“I am thrilled with the success of this year’s Mardi Gras Gala and ecstatic with the response we had,” said Anderson. “This community is just amazing. The committee did a great job, and Harrah’s went out of their way to make the gala a first class event.”

“We are happy to provide a wonderful social event, an opportunity for networking, and, of course, the chance to raise funds for the shelter.”