BAZETTA - The fifth annual event that showcases music and the arts also is helping to make sure needy senior citizens of the area are getting their medications.
An Evening Under the Stars was held at Cadobaz in Bazetta hosted by Dr. Farid Naffah. The annual two-day fundraising event featured musician Phil Keaggy and artist Tazim Jaffer and raised money for the Avamar Foundation.
Naffah said there is a dual purpose for the event: promoting the arts and entertainment and helping those in need.
Naffah said the Avamar governing board is made up of volunteers who donate their time and resources to maximize the fundraising abilities of the event.
He said all of the money raised is donated to the elderly to help them buy prescription medication. The recipients are picked based on need.
"We accomplish that goal without salaries or added fees. ... Our one cause that we support is helping the needy elderly in our community pay for prescription medications,'' Naffah said.
In the past four years, between $90,000 to $100,000 has been raised to help the elderly, which is the mission of the foundation.
Naffah said attendance has tripled in the five years the event has been held.
"People continue to support it and like our events and our mission. I stress that we are strictly volunteer and our administrative costs are near zero for this,'' he said.
Naffah said the people on the committee donate their time, resources and money to the fund. He said the staff at the office help at the event.
"Everyone who helps knows that every dollar donated goes to help those in need,'' he said.