Published: April 17, 2008 01:17 pm      

AACES holds auction to help homeless

Ada — Ada Area Community Emergency Services Homeless Services will host a dinner, benefit and auction May 3 in Pontotoc County Agri-plex auditorium from 5-8 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will go directly to a building capacity fund that will assist AACES in the establishment of an emergency homeless shelter.

According to Gayla Wells Callaway, AACES project coordinator, AACES has been in operation in the Ada area for four years.

In that time they have provided services and assistance to both the homeless and the near-homeless, assisting more than 30 people each month with emergency lodging in local hotels. AACES also helps between 70 and 80 people each month avoid homelessness by paying for a utility bill or rental assistance.

Once an emergency shelter can be established, AACES will no longer have to secure local hotel rooms for those in need, as in-house facilities would then be available.

This means that money previously used to secure hotel rooms could be redirected to assist homeless and near-homeless in other ways.

AACES has also put out a call to residents and businesses in the area, asking for donations for the silent auction taking place on May 3.

Tickets for the event are $20 a person. For more information or to buy tickets, phone 580-272-0211.