The art of helping

by

When crisis hits, it is hard to find help. That’s why Abuse Counseling & Treatment Inc. has worked tirelessly to make services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Its shelters never close, and all services are free. The shelters provide food, clothing and personal care items along with children’s needs. It is not just a roof over someone’s head and food in their stomach, which is imperative for overall health, but all receive individual and group counseling to nourish their equally important mental and emotional health following trauma. 

This year marks the organization’s 40th anniversary — and 30 years for the Arts for ACT fundraiser.

ACT serves Lee, Hendry and Glades counties, offers a 24-hour hotline and provides safe emergency shelter with 115 beds. Two of the shelters are in Lee County, and one is in Hendry County. Other “ACTs of caring” include: 

» Outreach counseling 

» Rape crisis center with forensic examinations for victims

» Children’s program 

» Legal help, including injunction for protection representation in court by an attorney 

» Advocacy: information and support throughout the judicial system for victims, community and professional education and a volunteer program

Jennifer L. Benton is CEO and has devoted 30 years to ACT, driven by her love of the agency and the arts. Marc Collins, a long-time attendee, was 2017’s honorary chair. This year he is stepping in as co-chair for the big event. Stephen Blanchett, also co-chair, has dedicated 16 years to seeing the program forward for thousands of people in need. 

Here’s what they had to say about the upcoming event:

Exciting changes this year

Jennifer: The gala theme is “A Night at Studio 54,” an evening of disco and glam. Doors open at 5 p.m. with registration and silent auction. Dinner is served at 6, and live auction starts at 7. We have entertainment immediately following the live auction by The Original Studio 54 Band.

Stephen: This year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of ACT and the 30th year for this event, so our theme is a flashback to the ’70s… This is sure to be a fun-filled evening of fine art, disco, glam and philanthropy. We are honored to have community leaders and star confectioner Norman and Mary Love as our honorary chairs. Norman will be creating something very special for the attendees. Also, the artwork this year is incredible. There is something for everyone.

Marc: There will be lots of detail and “moments of remembrance” of previous years. We have gone to great measures to make this relevant yet nostalgic for many of our long-time guests. “A Night at Studio 54” will be filled with tons of great art and various other auction items. The Original Studio 54 Band is coming back. They are incredible and a real crowd pleaser. I was so honored to ask my dear friends, Norman and Mary Love to be the honorary chairs for this event. 

Personal connections

Jennifer: I started volunteering at a craft fair to raise money for the agency. I offered to get some art, since my brother was an artist and knew Robert Rauschenberg, so I suggested we add an art auction addition to the craft fair. The first year we made $10,000 in a small restaurant in the previously named Rafters Mall. With that success, the next year we decided to take it to one of the hotels and do on a larger scale, and it has evolved from there.

Stephen: I grew up with an abusive father who would threaten to burn our house down if my mother ever reported or left him. We lived in a small town and had no place like ACT to go. 

Marc: I have a passion for all the people of Southwest Florida. Especially those that don’t have a voice, or those that need help. I’m convinced that we are put on this earth for a greater purpose, and it is in giving that we receive. ACT is a wonderful organization that helps so many. As our community grows, charitable organizations are added, and the older ones are often overlooked or are forgotten. I try to give my efforts to “remind” people of these organizations and the needs they have.

Gala goals

Jennifer: It is always so important we raise enough money to support our programs for victims of domestic violence and their children, and survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking. We must always be able to open our doors and be able to provide the services they need.

Stephen: Our No. 1 goal is to raise a lot of money for this great cause. I have chaired and co-chaired this event for the past three years. This is my last year, and my goal is to hit $500,000. Between my co-chair, Marc Collins, our awesome committee and our generous sponsors, supporters and artists, I think we can make that happen.

Marc: My No. 1 goal is twofold: to raise a lot of money for the organization and to raise awareness for the organization. The organization helps so many that don’t have another option. The greatest thing I can do is to leave ACT in better shape than we found it. If we can help to “lock in” some great support and refresh or find new relationships, then we’ve done our job. 

Arts for ACT Fine Art Auction and Gala

5-10 p.m. November 10 • Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, 5001 Coconut Road, Estero• 239-444-1234 • artsforactfineartauction.com • For more about Abuse Counseling & Treatment: 239-939-2553 or actabuse.comhttp://actabuse.com.