Nightclub Company Raises Money for Hurricane Victims
Caven Enterprises based in Dallas, TX, raised $5,010.43 in a Sept. 7th event with all proceeds donated by guests going to help the American Red Cross with hurricane relief efforts.
“It was not a difficult decision for us in deciding to do something for the victims of Hurricane Katrina,” said Christine Bengston, on-site events manager for Caven. “Since the early 1990s we have relied on the gay community’s generosity for providing monies for AIDS programs as well as for programs that help the female members of our community.”
Bengston said Caven contacted the Red Cross shortly after the hurricane hit to find out how they could raise funds for them.
“At first they were a little leery because they had concerns how safe the money would be being collected at our doors and the like,” said Bengston. “We were also surprised to find that you have to sign a contract with the Red Cross and supply a copy of a driver’s license of the person responsible for the funds. Unfortunately that came about because of people scamming, taking the Red Cross cans, filling them with money and never bringing them back. We had convinced them that we were professionals when it came to raising money for charity and were allowed to pick up our Red Cross cans.”
Donations were accepted for three days through Caven and all four of their clubs participated – JR’s Bar & Grill, Throckmorton Mining Company, Station 4, and Sue Ellen’s, all in Cedar Springs.
“We could not be more proud of the community,” said Bengston. “A special hats off to Whitney Page who performed a number passing the donation bucket through the Rose Room and raised $779.00. That is amazing for one number to raise that much money.”
Founded in 1969 by Frank Caven, Caven Enterprise has been an integral part of the Dallas gay community ever since, according to their website, caven.com. D Magazine named Station 4 one of the top dance clubs in Dallas and Caven’s annual Oaklawn Halloween Street Party as one of the top things every Dallasite must do.
The Volunteer Center of Dallas County named Caven as their 1998 Small Business Volunteer of the Year.
J.R.’s, established in 1980, has wireless Internet access, The Throckmorton Mining Company, opened in 1979, has after-hours dancing, and Sue Ellen’s, a lesbian bar, has live bands.
Dallas Pride Weekend will kick off at Station 4 Sept. 16th.
The annual Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade will be held in Dallas Sept. 18th.
On Oct. 24th a stand-up comedy contest, the finals of the “Kings and Queens of Comedy” will be held at JR’s where the winner takes home $300 in cash.
The Oaklawn Annual Halloween Street Party will be held Oct. 29th.
