Supporters

of the Fayette Youth Protection Homes were entertained at its recent annual

banquet while raising needed funds.

The "Chicken

Man," Mike Culver, donated his services to enlighten the 200 people

in attendance. Outback Steakhouse donated the dinner, cooking the steaks

right outside the banquet door. Chip Young of Tyrone donated the use of

his facility, The Barn.

Mary Davis,

director of Fayette County Department of Family and Children's Services,

was the speaker for the event. She said that DFACS handles about 45 to

50 cases a month.

"The intent,"

she said, "is to treat the whole family, and not just the one member

who might be having problems. We have two social workers who work with

these families.

"Each

child who comes to us is treated as an individual and never becomes just

a statistic."

Davis also

commented that the foster care population in Fayette County doubled over

the past year.

While falling

short of the $40,000 goal, the banquet organizers were encouraged by the

turnout, the number of new donors and the work of volunteers.

"We are

producing such an event at a minimum," said Jane Gough, development

coordinator for the charity. "We also are indebted to the CareCorps,

a group of local business people who help to underwrite all of our fundraising

events. These gifts enable all of the money raised to go to programs,

which cost about $300,000 annually to run."