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WHEELING -- The community will have an opportunity next weekend to enjoy a fun night out while lending a helping hand to Helping Heroes.
The organization's annual Fundraiser for Homeless Veterans will take place from 5:30-10 p.m. on Friday, May 19, at River City in downtown Wheeling. Tickets to the annual event are on sale now.
Jeremy Harrison, co-founder of Helping Heroes Inc. -- A Center for Veteran Resources, encouraged the public to come out to support a great cause while having a great time with other people in the community who take honor in saluting those who served their country.
Harrison said that with the exception of the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fundraiser has continued to get bigger every year since its inception.
Helping Heroes continues to work on renovations to what will become its new headquarters in the former Columbia Gas building on 16th Street in downtown Wheeling. Proceeds from the May 19 event will impact several areas of the organization, including the new building, non-grant programs and current facility costs, Harrison explained.
"It's our hope that we will begin moving into the new facility by the end of the year, although early 2024 is a safe bet," he said. "The most impactful enhancement the new facility will provide is more veteran housing. We will have 15 apartments for veterans in our transitional housing program, enabling us to serve so many more veterans. We will also have a thrift store, something we've wanted for a long time. Veterans will work in the store, gaining new skills for their future, as well as have access to the things they need. Eventually, we will also have a coffee shop."
Currently, Helping Heroes' physical location is in a transitional state, but the office is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Wheeling. The organization had been operating out of a vacant space on the former Ohio Valley Medical Center campus, where most of the buildings are expected to be razed to make room for a new, multimillion-dollar cancer center by WVU Medicine.
Harrison said the upcoming Fundraiser for Homeless Veterans will offer a great night out and a chance for those in the general public to help the cause.
"Supporters who chose to attend can look forward to an amazing meal made by the River City chefs, for only $30 per person," Harrison said. "In addition to that, they will have chances to win a ton of prizes, whether it's by spinning the prize wheels, betting on one of the silent auction items, buying raffle tickets for one of our amazing baskets, a 50/50 raffle and other fun things."
During the event, DJ Donnie Gilbert will be providing music, and there will be a full slate of activities.
Tickets to the event can be purchased at the Helping Heroes offices in the McLure Hotel, online at etix.com or at the door on the night of the event.
For more information about Helping Heroes, visit www.HelpingHeroesInc.org, visit the organization's official Facebook page or call 304-232-0114.