St. Jude House set to celebrate 30th anniversary with Stand-Up Comedy Night

St. Jude House Domestic Violence Prevention Center and Shelter is preparing to celebrate 30 years of service with its annual “Stand Up for St. Jude House Fundraiser.” St. Jude House’s comedy night will take place at County Line Orchard in Hobart on Friday, May 16, from 6-10 p.m. to raise funds for survivors of domestic violence.  

“It is a lighthearted, fun night,” said Lauren Zurbriggen, director of development at St. Jude House. “We cannot be serious all of the time and domestic violence is a serious issue. We want to get together to have fun with our supporters. We want to celebrate our achievements and the successes of the survivors we have worked with.”

For three decades, St. Jude House has remained a crucial and adaptable resource in the fight against domestic violence. Founded in Crown Point by local businessman Donald Burrell and the Franciscan Ministries of Chicago, the center has provided emergency shelter and prevention services since 1995 to help victims navigate and overcome complex barriers. 

“The goal of St. Jude House is that we would eventually close our doors in hopes that there would not be a need anymore,” Zurbriggen said. “Unfortunately, we continue to be a needed resource in the community.” 

To commemorate 30 years of service and ongoing efforts, St. Jude House will host its largest annual fundraiser. The event is for ages 21 and older. It will feature headlining Chicago-based comedian Mike Toomey, live music from Frank Ruvoli, great food, and silent and live auctions, including a paddle raise. Corporate Community Partners are guaranteed priority seating, as these investments will continue to garner community-wide support for St. Jude House. 

“Our community partners are local businesses who invest in St. Jude House for the calendar year,” Zurbriggen said. “We have four different levels of partnerships ranging from $2,500 up to $10,000 and above. We offer various levels to accommodate everybody’s comfortability. We have different marketing benefits that come along with the partnership, along with priority seating at the stand-up night.”

Beyond entertainment and fundraising, the event will feature an engagement segment highlighting further community involvement opportunities. Individuals can contribute donations and fulfill needs from St. Jude House’s monthly wish list including essential household items and snacks. Looking ahead, the non-profit aims to expand its programming to include transitional housing and other means of supporting survivors’ independence. 

“Domestic violence is a community issue and not something we can solve by ourselves,” Zurbriggen said. “Everyone in our community must play a part in helping us to prevent domestic violence.”
Tickets and event details can be found on St. Jude House’s website and Facebook page. For individuals and businesses looking to support victims of domestic violence, visit stjudehouse.org.