The Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC) is offering its second annual ‘Love Without Fear’ Fine Dining Experience Feb. 10th as a special Valentine’s Day treat.
The benefit event again is at the Bismarck Municipal Country Club at 930 N. Griffin St., with the proceeds supporting local families facing violence in their lives served by the AARC.
A social hour is planned at 5:30 p.m. with the dining starting at 6:30 p.m. Lady J’s is preparing an exquisite seven-course meal for this event, accompanied by a taste of specialty craft beer, if you choose. McQuade Distributing is a sponsor of this fundraiser for AARC. Entertainment also will be provided.
The phrase ‘Love Without Fear’ has become part of this second annual fundraiser, but has long been the focus for AARC’s award and tea ceremony normally held on Valentine’s Day.
‘Love Without Fear’ originated as a Sunday event at the Abused Women’s Resource Closet in Bismarck (now known as the AARC) in July 1979. Bonnie Palecek, who was the director of the AWRC at the time, came up with the idea in a positive sense, and questions about why women stay in abusive relationships.
Fear is a major weapon of control in unhealthy and violent relationships. Therefore, a healthy, positive relationship means there is love without fear.
In 1980, the commemoration of ‘Love Without Fear’ was moved to Valentine’s Day. ‘Love Without Fear’ Sunday evolved into ‘Love Without Fear Week,’ and statewide activities tend to focus on churches but also include fundraisers, volunteer recognition and memorial vigils.
At the AARC, the event turned into a month-long commemoration. And the AARC began presenting annually a ‘Love Without Fear Award’ to a worthy community member who has advocated selflessly on behalf of domestic violence victims. The award is presented on Valentine’s Day each year in Pam’s House, AARC’s emergency shelter for women and children made homeless because of abuse in their lives.
Other activities including sending letters about ‘Love Without Fear’ to local churches as an effort to create community awareness and initiate action to help victims of abuse and their families.
Diane Zainhofsky, AARC executive director, said the intent of ‘Love Without Fear’ is to keep attention focused no only on the pain and loss inherent in families torn by violence, but also to focus on the ultimate goal of “love without fear” in intimate relationships everywhere.
The AARC is a Bismarck-based nonprofit serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and families in a seven-county area in south-central North Dakota.
Tickets are $50, with seating for just 220 guests. Tickets can be purchased at URL Radio, 322 E. Broadway; Seeds of Hope Thrift & Gift Store at 520 E. Main, AARC offices at 218 W. Broadway; and at Lady J’s at the Country Club.