The Warner Robins Noon Optimist Club is hosting a New Year’s Eve Charity Ball benefiting the Rainbow House Children’s Resource Center. The gala event will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Courtyard Marriott, 589 Carl Vinson Parkway, Warner Robins. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, and there will be live music and dancing with Quiet Storm providing the entertainment. Tickets for the ball are $100 per couple in advance and are available by calling the Rainbow House at 923-5923, e-mailing jason@jasonashford.com or by visiting wroptimist.org.

“We’re excited about hosting this New Year’s Eve event, and I know everyone is looking forward to good music, dancing and good food and friends,” club President Jason Ashford said.

“Our motto is ‘Friend of Youth,’ and the great work the Rainbow House does certainly fits this mission,” Ashford said. “This is a chance to have fun and help a great cause.”

The Noon Optimist Club is the oldest continuous service club in Warner Robins. It has been hosting the annual Optimist Bowl since 1957, and also hosts the Law Enforcement Appreciation luncheon and monthly Student of the Month luncheons.

The Rainbow House Children’s Resource Center began as a concept in 1981 by a group of citizens concerned about the number of child sex abuse cases in the community. The group represented a cross section of organizations that included child protective services, law enforcement, public and private therapists, and government officials. In 1986, the Rainbow House became a reality and its doors opened to conduct interviews of children who allegedly had been sexually abused. Other programs soon developed to fulfill the need.

In 2004, The Rainbow House became affiliated with the United Way, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, the Child Abuse Advocacy Centers of Georgia, the National Children’s Alliance, and Prevent Child Abuse of Georgia. Its mission remains to serve all children by strengthening our community’s response to child abuse and neglect through prevention, intervention, and advocacy efforts.

“We are so happy to be partnering with the Optimist Club for the New Year’s Eve Ball and know it will be a great night,” said Kemberlie Sanderson, executive director of the Rainbow House.

Marsha Priest Buzzell is executive director of the Warner Robins Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. Contact her at 922-5100 or cvb@wrga.gov.