Big hair, leggings and the music of Devo will be back this Friday. The 1980s will be returning to East Lansing, but only for one night.
The Crime Victims Advocacy Council is holding a 1980s theme fund-raising event at Harper’s Restaurant & Brewpub, 131 Albert Ave., to help fund the group.
“We support and provide services for victims of any crime,” said Heather Boyer, executive director of the council.
The organization was founded this past January by victims of crime to help other victims deal with trauma and stress. The organization is fairly new and it’s still in its developmental stages.
The council provides services like assisting in filling out paper work, going to court, counseling services and legal advice.
“Our goal is to raise money for the Crime Victims Advocacy Council so that we could be fully operational by January 2002,” Boyer said.
Festivities include a raffle of gift certificates from area restaurants and businesses. Radio station WDIC (94.1-FM) will also be broadcasting live from the event
There will also be a raffle for concert tickets to see the Doobie Brothers, Huey Lewis & the News, and John Mellencamp. There is also a best-dressed competition in which the winners will also win concert tickets.
Boyer said this event will focus on community support and getting the word out to those victims who don’t have the resources available.
This isn’t the first time that Harper’s has hosted a charity event.
“We have charity events all the time,” general manager Richard Streight said. “Last month we had one for Gilda’s Club, an organization for the research of ovarian cancer.”
Streight said the organization was looking for a place to hold the event and Harper’s is one of the few bars in the area that offers a dance club. He said it is also a great chance to show that the restaurant participates in the community.
“We open the Downtown to all patrons, some who don’t usually come here,” Streight said.
The council isn’t the only organization in the Lansing area that provides counsel to victims of crimes. MSU Safe Place and the Council Against Domestic Assault help victims of domestic violence.
Safe Place provides shelter and support services for victims. The organization also gives awareness to people that there is a place to go.
“It’s critical for agencies to promote advocacy for victims and provide different types of support for those who were victimized,” said Holly Rosen, Safe Place director.
