Santa Barbara Rescue Mission is holding its 24th annual fundraiser, the Australian-themed Bayou Down Under, 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at Sandpiper Golf Club.
The Women’s Auxiliary organizes the casual outdoor benefit, which includes a dinner on the Grand Lawn presented by Pure Joy Catering. Guests can bid online for silent auction items.
This year’s event will honor Janet Rowse with the Léni Fé Bland Award for her dedication to youth addiction prevention.
Rowse is the co-founder and executive director of SafeLaunch, a Santa Barbara-based organization committed to preventing youth substance use.
Funds raised allow the Rescue Mission to offer a 12-month residential drug and alcohol treatment program, and provide emergency and transitional services for homeless guests.
Last year, the Bayou event raised some $600,000 to assist people seeking shelter and recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The Rescue Mission has helped more than 1,000 people achieve recovery in the last 28 years.
“Together, we are not only transforming the lives of individuals, but we’re also changing and saving entire families,” said Rolf Geyling, Rescue Mission president. “Generations from now, people will be living in hope and freedom because of the mission and our donors who make it possible.”
For more go to www.sbrm.org/bayou25.
Established in 1965, Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, a 501(c)(3) organization, brings physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual resources to individuals and families in need.
It is the only organization between Oxnard and Santa Maria that provides hot meals and overnight accommodations to homeless guests 365 days of the year. The Rescue Mission receives no government funding.