The Great River Area Faith in Action organization (GRAFIA) based in Becker, will be holding their eighth annual gala at two locations on two dates, March 27 & 28.

Friday, March 27, the event will take place at the Rockwoods Banquet Center  in Otsego and Sat., March 28th’s event will be held at GRAFIA’s  St Cloud facility at 1230 Hwy 23 E (former Discovery Church) where the function will be catered.   

 

This year’s Gala theme is: “Living Well: With a Little Help From My Friends.”

 

 Both events will feature a reception and silent auction at 5:30 p.m., a delicious meal at 6 p.m. and a program that starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50.

 

The purpose for the event  is to benefit GRAFIA’s “Living Well at Home” program that helps older adults and their caregivers to remain in their community and their homes through a combined effort of GRAFIA’s professional and volunteer services. 

 

Many area families and individuals have benefitted from the Living Well at Home program through GRAFIA and the caseworkers are sometimes working with as many as 40-50 clients at a time. As of 2013, over 1,000 families and elders have utilized the family support services provided by GRAFIA.

 

Through the Living Well at Home program, GRAFIA has eldercare coaches working with older adults to empower them to make their own decisions. These decisions could involve purchasing help to remain living at home or trying new strategies to deal with personal risk factors that could lead to a permanent move from a home.

 The program also has caregiver coaches who provide encouragement for instrumental, informational, affirmational and emotional supports  — strengthening an individual’s ability to cope with many types of stressful situations.

 

 GRAFIA also facilitates caregiver support groups including memory loss support, general caregiver support, Parkinson’s support and grief support. Some of their professional services include coaching, navigator services, care management, family meetings and family memory care. They also provide support for volunteer respite.

 

 GRAFIA looks to empower people through compassionate and caring support and to educate them through individual and personal education, multiple community-based classes and evidence-based workshops. Their nine monthly support groups meet in Monticello, Elk River, Big Lake, Becker and Rogers.

 

As mentioned, the gala costs $50 and an RSVP to attend is appreciated. Tickets can be purchased online at the GRAFIA website (www.gra-fia.org) or people can visit their stores in Elk River, Becker or St. Cloud for more information.

 

Tables can also be sponsored which includes tickets for eight to invite family, friends, a small group or co-workers.

 

The Becker store, called Everyday Blessings, is located along Bank Street near the Becker Fire Station. They sell new and used home decor, furniture, books, Bibles, jewelry and accessories and is all volunteer-run. The Everyday Blessings Boutique is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.