Valley of Grace’s ‘Dressy But Messy’ Provides a Unique Fundraiser Experience
BY HEIDI PRUITT
The Kokomo Post Staff
HOPE: Photos of individuals who have graduated from Home of Grace fill the letters spelling out Hope at 2021’s Dressy But Messy fundraiser.
Photo Provided | Clifford Signs
The sixth annual Dressy But Messy fundraiser to benefit Valley of Grace will return to Northview Church from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 11, for an evening of food, fundraising and, above all, hope.
“People tend to dress up to cover up addiction, but it’s pretty messy and people try to hide it,” said Joey Bennett, founder of Valley of Grace.
The dinner itself can get pretty messy. So messy that participants need aprons.
When a dinner with food from Half Moon Restaurant & Brewery, Cook McDoogal’s, Hawg Heaven, and Marble the Steakhouse are served, no napkins or silverware will be in sight. The entire evening is a metaphor for how messy addiction can really be.
Home of Grace, the original program that Valley of Grace was modeled after, is located in Mississippi. Bennett, who suffered from addiction himself, graduated from the Home of Grace in 2016. Afterward, he realized his dream of opening a similar faith-based addiction recovery program closer to home. In 2017, Bennett and his wife, Darcy, founded Valley of Grace as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
After years of fundraising, the Valley of Grace was able to open its own 40-acre location in rural Howard County earlier this year. Men that are admitted to the 90-day program will receive classroom instruction, recreational work therapy, education programs, and support programs for families affected by a loved one’s addiction.
Bennett, who has a deep passion for helping people the same way he was helped, said he is thankful for the support of the community.
“It’s so near and dear and deeply ingrained in who I am,” he said. “Just the support is astounding to me, to see that people believe in not only Darcy and me, but the organization and what we’re trying to accomplish. We want to create a positive impact in the community. Everybody knows about the problem, so let’s be part of the solution.”
Deatonne Johnson, who is currently halfway through the 90-day program at Valley of Grace, said he finds comfort in the faith-based addiction counseling Valley of Grace prioritizes.
“I’ve been addicted to cocaine for 21 years,” he said. “We came to Kokomo from St. Louis in 2011 after I had an opportunity to work at Chrysler. I was hoping to leave my addiction behind in St. Louis, but it eventually caught up with me and it spiraled out of control.”
After being arrested, facing up to 35 years in prison and being denied by multiple rehabs, Johnson had lost hope.
“I kept praying about it,” Johnson said. “God told me to keep trusting him. At the last minute, I was given an application to Valley of Grace. I was reluctant to fill it out, but did it anyway. I was about to sign a plea when a lawyer said the prosecutor decided to let me go to Valley of Grace.”
In the last month and a half of being in the program, Johnson said he has seen a change, not only in himself but in those around him, and looks forward to coming back once he’s graduated.
“I’m just happy. I’m glad I’m here,” Johnson said. “I’m looking forward to coming back to help out, seeing all the people that come out and feed us and work with us. I wanna do that — encouraging someone else just like I’m encouraged.”
You can purchase tickets for the sixth annual Dressy but Messy Fundraiser at Northview Church in Kokomo. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, and tickets can be purchased for $50/per person by clicking here.
Attendees of the event are able to participate in bidding on silent and live auction items including sports tickets and vacation giveaways. To learn more about Valley of Grace, click here.
