As anybody following the national news would know, the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season has been a destructive one. In fact, it has been the most devastating to hit the United States in 12 years. In August, the Category 4 Hurricane Harvey struck Texas and Louisiana after already making landfall in Caribbean nations, causing more than $70 billion in damage and 83 confirmed deaths.
Shortly after, the Category 5 Hurricane Irma struck Florida and Georgia and cost more than $63 billion in damages and resulted in 101 deaths. Currently, the Category 5 Hurricane Maria— which was recently downgraded to a Category 3— is causing massive flooding and power outages in Puerto Rico and has already resulted in 17 deaths.

With such an intense hurricane season, people from all over are donating to help the victims. One opportunity to donate is this Sunday at Dance Unlimited in Vallejo at an event featuring food, entertainment, dancing, a silent auction and more, with all proceeds going to the Salvation Army to help those afflicted by the hurricanes.

The event is being put on by a group of volunteers, mostly from Benicia and Vallejo. For one of the volunteers, Benicia resident Beverly Edmonds, the decision to participate was personal. She had been planning to visit her brother in Houston the Saturday after Harvey touched down, but the Houston Airport System was closed.

“My life for several days during Harvey was about trying to stay in touch with my brother and making sure he had food and water and safe shelter,” she said. “I felt so helpless.”

Edmonds will be going to Houston later in the month, not for a visit but to help her brother rebuild.

As a result of the experience, Edmonds wanted to do something to help provide relief.

“When I saw something, I think on Facebook, about volunteering to put on a fundraiser for hurricane relief, I jumped on the opportunity,” she said.

Edmonds joined the group, which consisted of seven to eight people, including a man from Texas. Dance Unlimited owner Natalia Clarke allowed her space to be used for the fundraiser, which volunteers agreed would be a perfect location for the event.

“It was exciting to plan an event there and know it was going to bring some resources to the flood victims,” Edmonds said.

By the second meeting, the group of planners had continued to grow. The fundraiser was initially intended for Harvey victims, but with the impact of Irma and Maria, it has since grown to include funding for those suffering from damages of other hurricanes.

“The devastation keeps building, and our fundraising becomes more and more important,” Edmonds said. “New people keep joining our group wanting to help. I think most people understand that millions of people and pets need help and they want to do something. We thought of a way that they could help and have fun too.”

For dinner, the menu will feature spaghetti, salad and desserts. The event will also feature live music, a dance presentation and a Bachata lesson. There will also be appearances by Miss Vallejo and possibly Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan and at least one of the Vallejo City Councilmembers.

There will also be a silent auction, where attendees can bid on art, Jazzercise lessons, gift certificates (including one for First Impressions Salon & Spa), items for dogs, a collectible Barbie doll, electronics, cycling gear and more. Edmonds is knitting ballet sweaters and leg warmers through her local business Sofia Rose Traditions, and she will also be donating a lace collar she created and shoe toes she embellished. Donations for the auction are still being accepted, and Edmonds said she has gotten positive responses from donors.

“One artist said he had been praying for an opportunity to do something but he was short on cash,” she said. “He ended up giving me almost $2,000 worth of paintings for the auction! Another artist said that she had seen my numerous Facebook posts about the fundraiser, noticed them but just let them pass her by. When I reached out to her personally, though, she knew she wanted to participate. She kept telling me what I was doing was a kindness.”

The Salvation Army will be on site to collect the proceeds from the admissions and silent auction, all of which are tax deductible. Edmonds hopes that the turnout is strong, especially with the money going toward a good cause.

“I would like to see those three floors filled,” she said.

The fundraiser will be held from 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24 at Dance Unlimited, located at 510 Georgia St. in Vallejo. Tickets are $20 per person at the door. The event is open to those ages 16 and older. For more information, contact Edmonds at edmondsb@me.com.