Food, fellowship and fun will once again be the combination used to promote the SABRA Sanctuary’s annual charity dinner and auction.

The auction, Executive Director Nancy Travis said, will be held April 7 at the Old National Guard Armory with a 6 p.m. social hour before the 7 p.m. dinner. The auction, which will be under the direction of auctioneer Bob Green, will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Seats for the auction, Travis said, are filling fast.

“We have a Friday deadline and no tickets will be sold at the door,” she said. “We already have sold 350 tickets and 43 tables.”

Individual tickets are $20 and tables of eight are $120.

Several different items will be available during the auction including sunglasses, works from local artists, hunting gear, vacations and Alabama and Auburn gear.

The goal for this year is $30,000, something Travis said they have never done before.

“We came close the last two years,” she said. “We even raised close to $27,000 last year. We would love to be able to bring in $30,000.”

Donations are extremely important, Travis said, because of the large territory covered by SABRA Sanctuary.

The organization, while based in Selma, also covers all of Dallas, Wilcox and Perry counties.

The facility, she said, serves as a home away from home for people trying to escape tough situations.

“We have real beds and covers for them,” she said. “We have food, a washer and dryer, and televisions. We offer it all for free so we can take care of them.”

In addition to a safe haven, SABRA Sanctuary  also offers help with legal fees for court cases and guidance for those who need direction for their next step.

The house is a safe place for victims of physical and sexual abuse, Travis said.

It also offers court accompaniment if victims choose to press charges

Travis encouraged anyone with questions or in need of help to call the hotline at 874-8711 or 1-800-650-6522.

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