Crisis Center's Casino Night Saturday
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

"The people of Kilgore started Kilgore Community Crisis Center and have kept it going for almost 25 years," Eugene Davis, KCCC director said.

To support Kilgore Community Crisis Center through another year of community assistance, become a Casino Night sponsor. Sponsorship levels are: Platinum, $1,000; Gold, $750; Silver, $500; and Bronze, $250. Individual tickets are $75.

Richard Stuart and One night stand are back for another night as Casino Night entertainers.

Meadowbrook Country Club chefs are set to provide a variety of finger foods.

Activities include a silent auction, with many items up for bid.

Crisis center staff members are expected to circulate a center wish list at Casino Night. In addition to funding, the center is looking for matching bed linens, curtains and dressers.

"The rooms really need an 'extreme makeover,'" Davis said.

Last year Kilgore Community Crisis Center had $20,600 in net earnings from a successful Casino Night.

Officials hope that Casino Night this year is as profitable for the center.

With a little more than a week to go, Eugene Davis, crises center director, said fundraising efforts are behind schedule - with earnings so far only totaling $8,900.

Davis and the crisis center staff have sent out mailings, distributed flyers, offered word-ofmouth to anyone who would listen and made a general invitation to the public.

Davis said the impact of this fundraiser is enough to sustain facility operations after grants and allotted funding run out.

"We have a revenue stream every month of allotted funds and grants," Davis said. "The money from this fundraiser fills in the gaps and without it we could not continue. Local support is that important."

Davis said the people of Kilgore have always been generous; and, supportive of different groups and organizations.

Casino Night is 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. Saturday June 14 at Meadowbrook Country Club.

For more information about Kilgore Community Crisis Center, contact Davis at 903- 984-3019 or by e-mail at daviscriscenter@ cablelynx.com.