MARQUETTE -- When Marquette County women and children have nowhere to turn in the toughest of times, many of them find comfort in the Women's Center and Harbor House.

The Harbor House is having a fundraiser called "Evening of Elegance" to help raise money to keep abused women and children safe.

"We simply have to succeed. We simply have to cover our costs. The Evening of Elegance is one way of moving toward that goal," said Vice President of the Women's Center and Harbor House board, Karlyn Rapport.

With ticket sales and an auction, last year's fundraiser made $15,000 for the Harbor House.

The Harbor House must supply about 25 percent of their own funding, and that averages out to about $200,000 a year. They say that without events like the Evening of Elegance, they wouldn't be able to function.

"The community understands we're at the front line. We have to raise this money. We inherited debt from the previous year's operations, and we're trying to wipe that away, bit by bit," Rapport added.

It's being held at The Landmark with the restaurant donating their staff and ballroom. They're holding a seven-course meal that will be lead by chef Brian Pomerantz and other chefs from all over Marquette County.

"It's kind of great to be able to do something we love to do on a daily basis, and not only make people happy food-wise, but be doing something great for the community at the same time," said dessert chef, Joe Heck.

The Evening of Elegance lasts from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.