By Lisa Ruefenacht
Starry Night, a local music venue in Provo, will hold a benefit concert for the Women and Children of the Utah Alcoholism Foundation this Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006.
The benefit will feature local bands the Saturday Nite Suits, Kellie Kent and Jim”s Addiction. All proceeds from the concert will go to benefit women and children in the area who are affected by alcoholism.
“We do a lot of benefits, basically once a month,” said Kellie Kent, owner and manager of Starry Night. “This benefit is the first of a long-running series of charity events we will have at Starry Night.”
Joey Mayes, 28 and Saturday Nite Suits front man, said he feels events like these are more rewarding to participants than normal shows.
“Getting paid for playing music isn”t a priority, but activism is,” he said. “If I can do both at the same time, it”s completely worth my time and effort.”
For Mayes, bringing attention to certain problems is something important for him because he said he feels most people are unaware of prevalent issues in this area.
“Domestic abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse, you name it. All those issues are just as common and important here in Utah Valley as they are anywhere else,” Mayes said. “People need to recognize [the issues”] presence and help fight them. Benefits like this one are a great way to start.”
The Utah Alcoholics Foundation was founded in 1946 and is the oldest substance-abuse treatment network in Utah. It is a private, non-profit organization that provides both alcohol and chemical dependency treatment services. Community educational services are available as well.
According to UAF”s Web site, the foundation”s goal is “to provide quality services that allow individuals, with alcohol and other drug problems, and their families to achieve self sufficient, drug-free life styles.”
To further promote this goal, the UAF mission statement reads: “We build futures and unify families to stop generational substance abuse, child abuse and domestic violence. This is accomplished by providing quality, affordable, substance abuse treatment, education and prevention services to those who are in need.”
Sixteen women and 28 children currently live at the UAF treatment residence in south Provo. UAF is also located throughout the state, with two treatment centers in Salt Lake City and one in Ogden.
The benefit concert begins at 8 p.m. on Jan. 25, 2006 at Starry Night, located on the northeast corner of Freedom Blvd. and West Center St. in Provo. Donations are accepted at the door. For more information about UAF visit www.uafut.org.
(For comments, e-mail Lisa Ruefenacht at )
