Jackson Free Press

See the JFP Chick Ball blog for info about events and the programs funded by your donations.

Visit the Chick Ball photo gallery by William Patrick Butler.

The money is (almost) counted for the 5th Annual Jackson Free Press Chick Ball weekend, and so far the effort has piled up close to $16,000 for the Center for Violence Prevention in Pearl. The money will help seed the Duluth Model, Jackson's first batterer-intervention program, to help stop domestic abuse before it leads to more violent incidents or even deaths. The event is designed to allow anyone to contribute, with the cover charge for the Chick Ball set at only $5 and the top sponsor, Care+ Medical Clinics, donating $2,500.

The Chick Ball committee of JFP female staffers and volunteers from throughout the community started working in the spring to plan the biggest Chick Ball, yet. Five years ago, the first event brought in about $3,000, and has steadily grown in scope and donations since then. Last year, the effort raised about $14,000, which enabled the shelter to purchase a new minivan—dubbed the Freedom Van—to help transport women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.

This year, the Chick Ball effort has, so far, consisted of three events, instead of one. In June, The Bachelorettes, Anna Kline and Lizzie Wright performed at a Chick Jam at Hal & Mal's that raised about $300 for the cause. Then on July 24, actress Jo Anne Robinson starred in "The Scutley Papers," a poignant and funny one-woman show about an abuse victim trying to get up the courage to leave her husband.

The big Chick Ball event was Saturday, June 25, with a diverse line-up of female musicians and spoken-word artists, as well as bellydancers, a games corridor (including ProChick Runway) and a photo booth. More than 150 artists, shop owners and individuals donated items for the silent auction, which brought in the largest portion of the funds raised. About a dozen restaurants donated food for the event.

The Chick Ball efforts did not end last weekend, however. The JFP will continue to sponsor chick events throughout the year to support the center (follow us on Twitter @jfpchickball for alerts). We also still urge readers to donate whatever money you can to the cause, with checks made out to Center for Violence Prevention. (E-mail [e-mail missing] to arrange drop-off or pickup.) You can still purchase brown/pink or blue/pink 2009 Chick Ball t-shirts at the JFP offices for only $10 apiece. All proceeds go directly to the Center.

To read more about performers, sponsors, donors and the Duluth Model, please visit http://www.jfpchickball.com. We thank everyone who made this event a success.