GREEN TOWNSHIP — Starting to get a case of the mid-winter blahs? A Mardi Gras party will be held the evening of Feb. 2 at the Snow Hill Country Club to benefit the Clinton/Highland Domestic Violence Task Force.

The event, held from 7 p.m. to midnight on the first Saturday in February, will be filled with food, spirits and entertainment by a live band.

Festivities include a split-the-pot raffle, a costume contest, and a live and silent auction. Costume contest judges include Magistrates Helen Rowlands and Cindy Williams.

Among the items in the silent and live auctions are artwork, autographed sports memorabilia, sporting event tickets, bed-and-breakfast getaways and spa packages.

Party-goers will receive a complimentary drink and all-night buffet/snacks. There will be a cash bar.

The Wilmington Fraternal Order of Eagles donated $1,000 to sponsor the fun fundraiser. The domestic violence task force continues to accept donations for the event, including items for the auctions.

“Besides the food and festivities, there is another very important reason for attending this event, and that is raising the vital funds needed for the Clinton/Highland Domestic Violence Task Force,” said Task Force Director Julie Christie.

Each year, the agency assists more than 1,200 individuals who have experienced or perpetrated family, sexual and/or stalking violence.

“The agency takes a holistic approach when dealing with the issue of family violence by offering services for the entire family,” Christie said.

“We provide support and individual sessions for youth exposed to family violence, support groups and legal services for adult victims of violence, and programming for batterers,” she added.

Additionally, the agency provides emergency shelter, legal and medical advocacy, emergency cell phones, anger management classes and a popular parenting program.

“Each year our agency provides services to an increasing number of community members with shrinking funding sources,” said Christie. “According to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, in 2005 there were 157 fatalities linked to domestic violence and in 2006, the number increased to 427. Our agency is definitely seeing the increase in violence within our own community.”

Tickets for the event cost $25 per person and may be purchased in advance or at the door. All proceeds will be used to assist the domestic violence task force in providing community members with services and support needed to end the cycle of family violence.

The historical Snow Hill Country Club is located on state Route 73 South in Clinton County between Wilmington and New Vienna.

For more information about the event, or about the domestic violence agency, or to purchase advance tickets, contact an advocate at 383-3285. Make checks out to HCDV, P.O. Box 527, Hillsboro, OH 45133.