The Dayton Christian Center (DXC) has a long history of being there for people in need. For 88 years, it has provided faith-based assistance to anyone who seeks help.
DXC operates a state-licensed Childcare program for 36 families in the Dayton area. As part of that program, the center offers three nutritionally balanced meals five days per week.
In addition, DXC hosts a community meal along with one of the Center’s partners, Martin’s Meal. Two–to-three times each month, some 40-50 Dayton residents have a complete, hot meal they might not have otherwise. The meal is prepared and served by volunteers from seven area Catholic parishes on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of each month (with an altered summer schedule).
“We’ve been doing this for six years now and it’s been a great partnership,” according to Tasha Johnson, Childcare Director/Administrator at DXC. “But there’s a real need to do more, especially in the hard times we’re in now. That’s why we want to completely renovate the kitchen at our site on Riverview Ave; so we can serve more people.”
To give others the opportunity to help complete that task, DXC and Martin’s Meal are holding a fundraising Benefit Evening.
“We’re asking people to come to enjoy some good food, excellent entertainment and good company and help us feed even more people,” Johnson said.
The renovation project was begun in the fall of 2009 and got a boost from Good Samaritan Hospital. The facility rebuilt its kitchen and offered to donate the older equipment to DXC to aid in the project.
“It was one of those situations where we had a need and, through word of mouth, it was filled, and, honestly, we’re just as thrilled as we can be over it,” Johnson said.
But, while the center has raised a large amount of what is needed through donations and in-kind gifts but there is still a bit more needed before renovation can begin.
“We’re so very close to reaching our goal,” Johnson said. “We need just a little more. The whole renovation project is going to total $50,000, but we’ve already raised $30,000 of that and now we just need to take it the rest of the way. “
That’s what the Benefit Evening is all about, she said.
The event will be held April 24 at the Dayton Engineer’s Club, 110 East Monument Avenue, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Ticket holders will be treated to hors d’oeuvres and “opulent mini” deserts prepared by Chef Lora, a local caterer. There will be a cash bar and entertainment will be provided by Broadway actress Tory Ross accompanied by local pianist Paul Kwak. Ross, an alumnus of The Muse machine, recently appeared on Broadway in Cry Baby as well as an earlier performance as the misfit showgirl in the film version of The Producers before returning to London, England where she appeared in the musical Silence. Kwak, a native of Kettering, is currently an M.M. candidate in collaborative piano at the Juilliard School. And will begin medical school at Case Western Reserve University in the fall where he plans to specialize in otolaryngology in order to combine his fascination with the voice, singing, and music with his desire to become a physician. Both Ross and Kwak are graduates of the Miami Valley School. David Claybrooks will emcee the event.
Tickets for the Benefit Evening are $75 each with $50 being tax deductible. Tickets are going quick so reserve yours today!
For more information on this project or to make your reservation, contact The Dayton Christian Center at 937-275-7174.
