THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507140180
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
There will be music - and prizes - from noon to 8 p.m. today at Partners Restaurant and Lounge, with the proceeds from the $5 cover charge going to the Suffolk Shelter for the Homeless.
The country music will be by Wooden Nickel, 32 South, Nighthawk and Country Blue. Alternative rock will be performed by My Sister.
There will be room for dancing, plus a dance contest. Any type of dancing will do. The winner will receive dinner for two at Holiday Inn.
Many other prizes will go to the winners of raffles, including certificates from Ryan's and Golden Corral.
There will be gift certificates from Pizza Hut, a party platter for 20 people from Subway, Burger King coupons, plus free food from Partners.
For still more fun, check the dunking booth.
It is fun for a good cause.
``We have 24 beds and can serve up to 35 people,'' said Michelle Tomlin, the director of the homeless shelter. ``Right now, we have five families.''
The shelter at 400 Finney Ave., which has a staff of six, is privately owned by a Board of Directors and relies on some federal and state funds as well as donations and contributions from several organizations and private businesses.
``Clothes and food come from some local churches. Sometimes they send some people over to teach Sunday School,'' Tomlin said. ``Families stay at the shelter for several reasons - they've been evicted, kicked out of a home. Sometimes a house has burned.
``Many of these people,'' she said, ``are victims of unfortunate circumstances.''
Families can stay for up to 45 days, receiving an extension if they have a place to go but cannot yet move there.
``The people here have to spend at least 4 1/2-hours each day looking for a place to live, and looking for a job,'' Tomlin said.
In the shelter, they have their own room, plenty to eat and facilities for washing their clothes. by CNB