OAKHURST, CA – Helping One Woman Oakhurst will gather the community on Tuesday, January 13, to honor January recipient Shaina Zelazo. The evening centers on shared support, collective generosity, and purposeful connection. Accordingly, the organization invites residents to come together for a meaningful dinner that benefits a local woman during a difficult season.
The event begins promptly at the Sierra Senior Center in Oakhurst. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., while dinner service starts at 6:00 p.m. Then, at 7:00 p.m., raffle drawings and auction moments will follow. Notably, the evening recognizes Shaina Zelazo, who receives loving sponsorship from Kris Rush. Therefore, the night blends gratitude, storytelling, and tangible help.
Thankfully, the Sierra Senior Center has gifted the use of its facility at no charge. As a result, Helping One Woman can direct more resources to the recipient. Organizers expressed sincere appreciation for the center’s generosity, which helps make evenings like this possible.
How the Evening Works
First, attendees must secure prepaid dinner tickets in advance. Organizers will not sell tickets at the door. Consequently, entry requires a confirmed prepaid reservation. Seats remain limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged.
Tickets may be reserved online through the Helping One Woman event system. Guests should create or log in to their accounts, select a meal, and add tickets for each guest. Moreover, including full first and last names helps reduce check-in time. Reservations may be modified or canceled until Friday, January 9, at 5:00 p.m.
After check-in, guests enjoy open seating and a shared meal. Then, at the door, Helping One Woman collects a minimum $10 monetary gift for the recipient. Attendees may give by cash, check, or Venmo. Checks should be made payable to Shaina Zelazo. Every dollar collected supports her directly.
Meanwhile, the evening also features raffle items, desserts, and silent or live auction opportunities. Together, these activities raise additional funds and build a warm, celebratory atmosphere. Proceeds from raffles, auctions, desserts, and door gifts all go directly to Shaina.
Dinner Menu by Tater Jo’s
Local favorite Tater Jo’s will prepare a special menu for the evening. Guests may choose from several hearty options designed to please varied tastes. For example, the prime rib slider burgers include three sliders topped with cheese and bacon, served with tater tots. Other selections include asada baked potatoes, pulled pork baked potatoes, loaded veggie baked potatoes, and classic baked potatoes.
All meals include water, tea, or lemonade. Potatoes are cooked with oil, salt, and garlic. Consequently, guests can expect comfort food prepared with care and consistency.
A Welcoming, Family-Friendly Gathering
In case you were wondering, attendees do not need to know the recipient to participate. Helping One Woman welcomes men, women, and children. Therefore, families and friends can attend together. The organization emphasizes community connection throughout the evening.
Additionally, Helping One Woman encourages guests to contribute raffle items, auction items, or desserts. While there is no drop-off location, leaders are happy to coordinate personal handoffs. This approach allows volunteers to offer thanks directly and strengthen relationships.
The Mission Behind the Moment
Helping One Woman focuses on emotional and financial support for women facing irreplaceable loss. Specifically, recipients include women in the community who, within the last 18 months, have experienced significant loss affecting themselves, a child, or a spouse. Financial hardship alone does not qualify. Instead, the organization centers on compassion during profound life disruptions.
Furthermore, Helping One Woman invites attendees to nominate future recipients. Nominations occur in person during dinners. Each adult may submit one nomination per dinner. As a result, bringing friends expands the opportunity to recognize more women in need. If potential nominators have questions, leaders encourage direct contact for guidance.
At the end of the evening, Shaina Zelazo will randomly draw the February recipient. This moment often closes the night with anticipation and hope. Then, the cycle of support continues.
Ultimately, the Helping One Woman Oakhurst dinner reflects the organization’s core mission. Through shared meals, meaningful giving, and collective presence, the community surrounds recipients with care. On Tuesday, January 13, Helping One Woman looks forward to honoring Shaina Zelazo and standing together in support.
For more information, check out HOW Oakhurst’s Facebook page HERE.
And for registration to January’s HOW dinner, go HERE.
Melanie Barker Announces Candidacy for District 5 Supervisor