Evergreen hosts Celebrity Waiter Dinner

Ian Fleming might say, “You Only Live Twice,” but you’ll have only one chance to help Evergreen Life Services continue providing needed services and hope for people with disabilities in our area.

Their dossier boasts supporting individuals with disabilities physically, emotionally and spiritually. Helping those people find self-worth and discover their abilities while teaching basic life and social skills, job and financial training.

The organization provides quality care for medical and behavioral needs, opportunities for meaningful employment, an independent and abundant life, a place they can call home, as well as love, acceptance, value and friendship.

On May 12, they’re throwing a big party in the spirit of 007 with a Celebrity Waiter Dinner called A James Bond Affair.

Whether or not you are coming From Russia with Love, your assignment is to proceed to East Ridge Country Club on May 12 at 6 p.m. for registration and the cocktail hour. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. when community leaders will take to the floor to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Evergreen Chief Development Officer Cathey Crow explained, “This is an annual event we put on. It just happens to be our theme this year: A James Bond Affair— Never Say Never.

“The event itself is to celebrate the people who support Evergreen in this area and raise funds to meet unreimbursed expenses for the organization. It does support specifically the divisions in north Louisiana, our Northwest Division, and our North Central Louisiana divisions.

“We have 172 people we serve here, and that is Natchitoches, Caddo, Bossier, Webster and Claiborne Parish.”

Evergreen provides for and supports individuals with disabilities. The organization got its start 60 years ago here in north Louisiana. Now it serves over 1,000 people in seven states. “We provide day programs. We provide social enterprises. We have art centers. We own Possibilities Antique Mall over in Minden. We have horticulture programs in Minden. We provide day activities for the people we serve,” Crow said.” The money we raise does support the two divisions in north Louisiana, which happen to be the oldest divisions.”

Although there will be no Casino Royale, attendees will enjoy a cocktail hour and networking with other community and business leaders. A silent auction will include everything from jewelry to sports memorabilia to items specific to James Bond. A live auction will provide a trip to London called “License to Thrill.” It’s five nights for two people in downtown London with a walk-through tour of the top 10 film locations for the Bond films. It features a “five-course” immersive adventure through the “insane excesses” of Bond’s life For Your Eyes Only.

People coming out are encouraged to dress up to the Bond theme, dressed to kill in iconic Bond fashion, and remember, Diamonds Are Forever. Whether your choice is to dress as a spymaster, a villain or part of the supporting cast, the person with the best Bond-themed attire will be declared the Best Dressed. There will also be prizes for whoever breaks the “secret code.”

Also on the evening’s agenda will be a cash bar, raffles and a wine pull.

“Our goal is to raise funds to sustain programs that the people we serve rely on,” Crow said.

Evergreen assists clients in finding work in the community and, according to Crow, is one of the areas larger employers, fielding around 350 people to local businesses. They provide transportation to and from work and the training necessary for clients to obtain and excel in their jobs.

“Anyone that would like to attend or to find out about Evergreen and the difference we’re making in the community, they can go to our website and buy a ticket or sponsor the event,” Crow said.

“We also want to raise awareness that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have value. They have something to give. I think at times they are overlooked and not given that value. It’s important for people to see them as they see you when they meet you.”

So, don’t say Doctor No and bring your Goldfinger to East Ridge for an evening of Bond, excitement and prizes because, as any film lover knows, The World Is Not Enough.