For Arthur Jerome Black, a teacher with Cass High School's construction program, supporting his students' decision to build a playhouse for Advocates for Children's upcoming Spring Benefit was win-win situation for all involved.

"Teaching involves more education of honesty, integrity and perseverance than most would think. Allowing these students to be involved in such a project as this will help them to realize we all need support and a helping hand," Black stated in a press release about the Advocates fundraiser.

On Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m., the Spring Benefit will be presented at the Booth Western Art Museum, 501 Museum Drive in Cartersville. Referred to as an upscale event, the evening will feature a buffet by Grand Oaks, beer and wine, a live jazz band, and silent and live auctions. With items ranging from overnight vacation stays to original artwork and sports memorabilia, Advocates Executive Director Patty Eagar said the Cass High playhouse is a prime example of the quality and diverseness of this year's auction offerings.

"That was the very first prize we had this year," Eagar said about the playhouse. "They wanted to get it done for us before they moved from the old building to the new building. So they got it done for us actually last fall and it's been ready ever since. It was really a nice thing for them to say, 'Sure, we'd be glad to do that.' I haven't seen it in person myself, but I've seen pictures. It's cute. Kids are going to love it. It's got a nice porch. It's not [something] you could buy yourself at the home supply place. It's a cute little house.

"So that's a neat prize. I forget about that one because we've had it so long that it's not sitting here underfoot. But we [also] have cookers and gift baskets, all kinds of neat stuff. The community has really reached out and provided us some [items] that you can't just go out and buy yourself, which is nice."

Proceeds from the Spring Benefit will support Advocates for Children, which serves about 2,500 area youth each year through the Flowering Branch Children's Center and providing services that assist in the awareness, prevention and treatment of child abuse. Since about 65 percent of Advocates' annual $1.4 million budget is raised by the local community, events like the Spring Benefit are integral to the nonprofit's success.

"This fundraiser is the beginning of our fundraising season," Eagar said. "All of the money that we raise at all of our events over the next couple of months goes to general operating to keep our programs all [open] and growing, so that we never have to turn away kids or families who need our services. We need to raise about $700,000 a year locally and this is one of the ways we do that."

To attend Saturday's fundraiser, individuals need to reserve tickets, costing $100 each, prior to the Spring Benefit by calling 770-387-1143. The attire for the event will be festive cocktail.

More information about Advocates, its programs and upcoming fundraisers also can be found at www.AdvoChild.org.