An event Saturday night plans to raise money for abused children in Hall County.

The Hope & Healing Harvest Fest Gala at the Smithgall Arts Center in Gainesville is a benefit for the Children's Center for Hope & Healing, formerly the Family Relations Program. The agency provides free therapeutic services for children age 4 to 17 who are survivors of sexual abuse, as well as adult women who are the survivors of sexual abuse.

Last year, the center helped 763 people from 19 counties across Northeast Georgia.

Rebecca Davis, executive director of the Children's Center for Hope & Healing, said the event will hopefully fill some holes the organization has in its funding; many federal grants for programs such as this have dried up, she said, leaving the organization looking for new ways to raise money.

Also, she said, it's a good way to tell the community about the organization and the services they provide.

"We have experienced some significant budget cutbacks from our grant sources, and so we are having to look to new sources of revenue," she said. "We also recognize that many people in the community don't know we're here, and having the event is helping people in the community know we're here."

The benefit on Saturday will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres from Luna's and Scott's on the Square in Gainesville and Grapes & Hops Bar & Bistro in Flowery Branch, along with "Rat Pack" tunes from Dahlonega band Russo & Noe. There also will be a silent auction featuring pieces by local artists, a weekend getaway to the mountains and an AKC-registered Shih Tzu puppy - from a line bred to grow no bigger than 3 pounds.

"He's adorable; he's about 7 weeks old," Davis said.

Tickets are $75 each or $125 per couple and can be purchased by calling 770-532-6530 or e-mail rdavis@hopeandhealingga.org.