CONTACT: Ali Perrotto, SARCC CEO, aperrotto@sarcclebanon.org
DATE: August 10, 2021
Chocolate, Wine, and healing for Schuylkill County survivors
On August 26 SARCC will host their 6th annual Chocolate & Wine event at Mountain Valley Golf Course. The event will begin at 6 and will feature a performance by local musician Chris “OzCoustic” Oslar. Ticket prices include food, wine, beer, and desserts. All proceeds from the event will benefit healing services and prevention education for survivors of sexual violence in Schuylkill County.
Mama Millie’s Bakery will once again provide sweet treats, along with chocolate confections donated by Hershey and Gertrude Hawk. To ensure the health and safety of attendees, both indoor and outdoor seating will be available. Masks will be available, but not required in accordance with current local and state COVID safety guidelines.
“The Chocolate & Wine Event is how I first became involved with SARCC’s efforts to raise needed funds for services in Schuylkill County,” shared Cindy Dros, a local therapist and board member for SARCC. “The event has grown and changed locations, but the purpose remains the same. Support for sexual violence survivors is needed in our community.”
Each year, the staff and volunteers at SARCC provide 24-hour supportive services and crisis response to hundreds of victims of sexual assault and abuse. This includes counseling, therapy, and advocacy for both child and adult survivors. Many survivors and their families are not sure what next steps look like in legal processes, seeking medical care, or connecting with counseling support after disclosing sexual violence. No Schuylkill County survivor is ever alone in finding the next step.
Mikaela Gavaletz, who recently hosted the Pottsville PrideFest and founded an organization to support LGBTQ Youth in Schuylkill County – Youth Empowerment & Support (YES), will be speaking at the event to discuss common ground for prevention and healing in the community. “It’s important to me that every child in our community knows that they have a right to be safe from sexual abuse, violence, bullying, and has a safe home base to grow, learn, and explore from. Each community also adults who care,” Gavaletz said. Past events have included brief remarks from local authors, survivors, and pageant queens. This year’s event promises both a good time, and the chance to support meaningful work in the community.
SARCC Community Council Co-Chair Abby Weaver combines her passion for community, local business development, and giving back to the community by assisting with outreach and coordination for the event. She described how timely this work is by saying: “Our Schuylkill community has seen a year of high-profile sexual abuse, harassment, and severe child abuse cases. SARCC’s work to prevent violence and abuse and promote healing for ALL community members impacted is needed and an important part of the long-term solution.
Tickets to the event are $35. All proceeds support SARCC’s work in Schuylkill County and can be purchased through Event Brite until Monday August 16. To learn more about getting involved, visit sarccheals.org or call the office at 570-628-2965.