This year marks the 33rd annual Arts for ACT gala and live auction.

It will be the second year the Abuse Counseling and Treatment center’s event will be virtual.

The Oct. 29 pre-show will begin at 6:30 and the auction starts at 7 p.m.

Scott Robertson is the auctioneer with MC Host, NBC-2 news anchor, Kellie Burns.

Michelle Grimm and Heather Mazurkiewicz are event chairs with Stephanie Davis and Gina Birch serving as honorary chairs.

The Abuse Counseling and Treatment center is a private, not-for-profit agency committed to helping victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

Abuse Counseling and Treatment center, CEO, Jennifer Benson, is hoping to see 300-400 people attend this year’s virtual event.

The gala and live auction will be live-streamed online. Registration is free and attendees can start bidding on silent auction items now.

To register, visit https://event.gives/artsforact2021.

Last year, ACT raised about $75,000.

Benson is hoping to exceed that this year.

The last few years, the event netted about $200,000.

Proceeds go to operating costs.

The center could really use the funds right now, Benson said.

“It’s been a tough couple of years with COVID,” she said. “After last year’s lockdown, we’re seeing more patients than before.”

There are 115 beds, ACT has a large outreach counseling program and they’re taking on a lot of patients.

Shelters support Lee, Hendry and Glades counties.

The pandemic has made bad situations worse for many people.

“People are staying home and they can’t leave,” Benson said. “The abuse is getting worse than we were seeing before, more violent.”

Proceeds raised from the gala and auction will make a big impact.

Each year, the Arts for ACT has a theme.

This year, it’s Come As You Art.

Attendees are encouraged to send a picture of themselves as a famous artist or work of art.

“We thought it sounded like a fun thing if people could dress as famous artists,” Benson said.

They’re also encouraging watch parties.

“Where they invite friends and family and bid together,” Benson said. “Bid from a cell phone. Hook the computer up to a smart TV and watch the event live and bid.”

Some live auction items include the chance to be major of Fort Myers for a day, a dinner cruise, earrings by Mark Loren, a trip to St. Thomas and a holiday makeover for men which includes botox, a photoshoot and a hair stylist.

Some silent auction items include a guitar signed by country band, Big & Rich, tickets to “In the Heights” at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater and skydiving in Clewiston.

The gala’s first year was more of an arts and crafts show.

For its second year, Benson suggested adding more art, since she knew some artists, like Bob Rauschenberg.

They made $10,000 their first year.

The Abuse Counseling and Treatment center sees about 5,000 people across all of its programs.

“We try to keep people safe and educate them,” Benson said. “Help get them on their feet if they decide to leave their abuser and start a new life.”

“There are a lot of resources to help people get through this and if they have children, too. People don’t think they can bring their kids, but they definitely can.”