A fundraiser that benefits multiple nonprofits in town is coming up this week.

The St. John’s Drawdown Charity event has become one of the larger fundraising events for the Oxford community and this year’s goal is to bring in $50,000 that will in turn go to local charities like Interfaith Compassion Ministries, Save-A-Life, Love Packs, Doors of Hope and many more.

Campbell Helveston, chairman of the event with St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, said this year’s event is at 7 p.m. Friday at the Oxford Conference Center and funds will go into the Clayton Stevens Benevolent Trust and then be doled out to the various nonprofits.

Tickets are $125 for two and that includes an open bar, silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, music and more.

“The Drawdown started six years ago,” Helveston said. “It was initially started as a building fund for renovations that the church was undergoing at that time. Due to the overwhelming support of the entire community, St. John’s decided that the money raised at this event should benefit the entire community. It has become one of the larger fundraisers and definitely one of the best parties in town.”

The church has generated about $40,000 each year but wants to aim higher.

“We as a church would like to give as much money to these great organizations as possible,” Helveston said. “It is our community that directly benefits from the money raised.  It is a very worthwhile cause, which benefits so many who are in need of some time of help right here in Lafayette County.”

Helveston said the church anticipates at least 700 people coming out to the event that has been planned by a committee of 11 and involved every member of the church in some way to benefit the Clayton Stevens Fund. The fund has been managed by the church since 1979 to provide for the community.

“The fund also provides immediate financial aid in the form of food vouchers, medical assistance, groceries and utility payments,” Helveston said. “The fund recently has been used to provide a full term stay in the Haven House for recovering addicts. The fund has a board made of St. John’s pastor and parishioners. There are no administrative fees paid by the fund, so every penny in the fund goes directly to those in need.”