THOMASVILLE — The Treehouse Children’s Advocacy Center of Thomas County will be the benefactor of proceeds from a Friday event aimed at the palette.

The event is the Farm to Fork Dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Loblolly Rise Plantation.

The highlight of the evening will be a farm-fresh dinner featuring all locally-grown meats and produce. Locally-crafted wine from Farmer’s Daughter Vineyards will be served.

A silent auction and raffle items will include four Disney one-day Park Hopper tickets, a custom-manufactured shotgun by CK Arms, three-month YMCA membership, custom-painted artwork by Hendley Fine Art, gift certificate from Dark Horse Armory, photography session from Casie Green — Everything She Loved, bootcamp membership from COGI Athletics and local student artwork, among other items.

The Treehouse opened in 2011 to serve an unfulfilled need in Thomas County, said Executive Director Jackla Lawson.

“Prior to The Treehouse’s existence, alleged victims of child abuse and sexual assault were forced to commute at least one hour to a neighboring town to receive the vital services they needed,” Lawson said. “This commute was stressful and often added to the trauma victims and their families had already endured.”

Recognizing a great need, a small group of citizens formed the groundwork for The Treehouse, which specializes in crisis and follow-up care for alleged child abuse and sexual assault victims.

“Forensic interviews and forensic medical exams are conducted at The Treehouse by specially trained staff to gather and document evidence which can be used in child abuse and sexual assault investigations,” Lawson said.

Lawson said that although the need to help address and heal suffering of abuse survivors was apparent, it was not realized how quickly the need would bolster The Treehouse into a position of full-time, year-round forensic service.

“Today, our center reflects the ever-growing needs of our community,” Lawson said. “We are a bustling all-in-one forensic center delivering excellence to each and every individual we see. Our caseload has increased an astonishing 75 percent in just a five-year time span. In 2016, our staff performed 165 forensic interviews and 30 forensic medical examinations. Our center has seen 55 cases already this year.”

Funds raised from the Farm to Fork Dinner will help meet growing caseload demands.

The Treehouse has been forced to expand in every way possible.

“We are adding staff, relocating to a larger facility, and searching for additional funding sources to assist with operating costs of the expansion,” Lawson said.

The Treehouse works in partnership with law enforcement, child protection and the judicial system to serve alleged child abuse and adult sexual assault victims. The staff is made up of highly-trained professionals, and the team works passionately to reduce trauma, offer forensic interviewing and medical care, as well as help navigate the healing process, Lawson said.

Tickets to the event are $75 per person and may be obtained at Patrick Scarbrough State Farm Agency, 226 E. Jackson St., by emailing jackla.treehouse@gmail.com. or by calling (229) 977-1639.

Loblolly Rise Plantation is off U.S. 319 South, south of Beachton, just north of the Georgia/Florida line.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820