Hill Harper to serve as honorary chair of Operation Refuge VIP event on August 23

Inkster, Mich., August 19, 2024 – "We know the stars will be shining bright for Operation Refuge this Friday night at our VIP fundraiser in Inkster," said Velma "Pastor Jean" Overman, the non-profit's executive director. "We are blessed to have the presence and support of nationally known artist Ted Ellis with his art along with our honorary chair – Frank Eugene 'Hill' Harper, actor and political candidate."

"The work that Operation Refuge does with Mother's Pantry and educational programs for youth in Inkster and surrounding communities is worthy of everyone's support," said Harper, who ran as a candidate in the August primary to fill the seat of retiring incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow. "It is out of respect for 'Pastor Jean,' Operation Refuge volunteers, and supporters that I am grateful to participate."

Event details, tickets and sponsorships to "Experience Your History through the Art of Ted Ellis" VIP Premiere on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, and family day on Saturday, August 24, are available at http://www.OperationRefuge.org.

Serving as the event's Gold Sponsor is Amazon, SMART as a Silver Sponsor, and Schoolcraft College Foundation as Bronze Sponsor. Additional sponsors include the Dearborn Rotary Foundation, Park West Foundation, Michigan Chamber for Reproductive Justice (MCRJ), SEMCA, Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Michigan Senator Dayna Polehanki, The Telegram Newspaper, Michigan Chronicle, Christ Temple Ministries International, Schoolcraft College, Inkster Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1577, Western Wayne County NAACP, LAHC, Region 1A, Mayor Byron Nolen, Inkster Ministerial Alliance, Christ Temple City of Refuge, Monica Boomer, Margaret Blohm, Mary Greenwood, and Bob Ziolkowski.

According to Overman, funds raised through sponsorships and ticket sales will be used to expand the outreach of two major programs for Operation Refuge – Mother's Pantry and Camp Inspire. Ellis will also donate a portion of his art sales from the two-day exhibit.

Established in 2008, Mother's Pantry serves 500 families each year, providing them with essential groceries and household items to ensure they can meet their basic needs. To help improve the program's efficiency, there is a tremendous need to secure a truck or van to help transport large donations from local businesses and farms to the pantry and to facilitate delivery of groceries to families who cannot visit the pantry due to mobility or transportation issues.

In addition, a 15-passenger van is needed for Camp Inspire to safely transport participants to and from camp and to various educational and recreational activities throughout the year. Since Camp Inspire was founded in 2008, more than 200 girls have benefitted from the program with 90 percent of alums attending college and completing degrees.

To donate to Operation Refuge and for more information about its programs, visit http://www.OperationRefuge.org.