“We pray together for deliverance, healing and empowerment; and to raise awareness and money to help heal the wounds of the ‘little girl’ in every woman that is ministered to,” said Johnnie Turner, an executive director of The Doll’s House.

He described the mission behind The Doll’s House Fourth Annual Benefit Dinner, which will be Thursday Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Lincoln Civic Center.

Speaking at the event as a special featured guest will be Maggie Wade Dixon of WLBT. Stephanie Turner, co-executive director of The Doll’s House, said Dixon will speak words of inspiration and scripture to encourage the women there, the community and the Turners themselves.

Almost 40 local sponsors including churches and businesses have contributed to the event. Various music will be provided by Patton Rice and the Mississippi School of the Arts Chorale and Becky Haley. Ryan Rushing will also provide some introductory music.

The Doll’s House is a not-for-profit rehabilitation center for women. The organization offers transitional housing and skills training for women. The organization serves between 12 and 20 female residents a week. Although that does not sound like a big number, Stephanie Turner said it is growing, and over the course of a year hundreds of women have been empowered by the program.

Stephanie Turner said the silent auction coordinator, Carolyn Stephens, has some wonderful items this year for guests to bid on.

“It’s gonna be good,” she said.

The dinner is one of the organization’s biggest fundraisers for its yearly budget, Stephanie Turner said, and the Turners expect it to grow this year. In fact, growth is a common theme throughout The Doll’s House, from its mission to the scope of its charitable events and fundraisers.

Money raised during the benefit will help them prepare for upcoming giveaways, such as the Thanksgiving Dinner giveaway. Stephanie Turner said more than 200 boxes of Thanksgiving foods, each about a $100 value, were served last year. She said calls about the boxes came in even after they had all been handed out, thus they decided this year their goal is to double that number. Since 200 boxes grew from just 75 boxes the year before, the Turners believe they can reach that goal.

This annual event means a lot for the Turners, and The Doll’s House mission within the community.

“It means so much because it is the one night each year that this community comes together mainly for the purpose of supporting The Doll’s House mission,” Stephanie Turner said. “We just stand amazed at this beautiful Brookhaven community that they allow us to serve.”

Tickets are $30 for individuals and tables can be sponsored for $300. There are a limited number of tickets left, and the Turners encourage everyone to purchase them at The Doll’s House before they sell out.