ROBERTSDALE, Ala. -- Under His Wings group home for girls in Robertsdale is looking for sponsors for its first Banquet of Hope benefit which will be held Thursday, April 10 at The Venue, 105 S. Section St., in Fairhope.

“We have about 150 seats for the benefit,” said Angie Michal, the organization’s executive director. “Right now we’re just looking to sell sponsorship tables and have individual tickets distributed by the sponsors.”

Under His Wings is a 6-month Christian residential treatment center in Robertsdale formed through the vision of Dr. Lorena “Nena” E. Hunt, an OB/GYN in Fairhope and was nurtured independently by two other women, Cindy Marshall, a longtime patient of Hunt, and Tracey Cioncoli, a Daphne business owner who has served as a youth and children’s ministry director.

The five-bedroom, 5 ½ bath home located off of U.S. Highway 90 in Robertsdale, was built in the 1970s by the Mildorf family and was purchased by the organization for use as a temporary shelter for teenage girls.

The home also includes a small apartment occupied by Marshall and her husband, John, who serve as group parents for the home.

The home began with three occupants in June 2013 and has since added two more, Michal said. The facility can house up to 10 girls, two per room.

“Each of the girls make a minimum six-month commitment, but can stay as long as necessary,” she said. All of the original five girls remain with the program.

“All of these girls are dealing with past traumas and experiences,” Michael said. “At Under His Wings, they learn to allow people to help them heal from their past wounds and love themselves for the wonderful God’s creations that they are.”

The program features a reinforcement of Christian values such as Bible study, Christian music and concerts. The girls participate in other fun activities as well, Michal said, such as horseback riding.

While the home has received some public funding, such as a grant from Impact100, most of its funding comes from private donations, Michal said. She estimated the cost at about $800 per month for one program participant.

For the April program, doors open at 6 p.m. with music. Dinner seating begins at 6:30 p.m.

The event will feature guest speaker Papa Joe Bradford, director of Elijah’s Heart, author and co-producer of the film Unconditional.

“We’re so excited to have him come and speak about his ministry, which is also focused on helping young people,” Michal said. “We are also hoping to be able to shed more light on our program which is changing the lives of young people right here in Baldwin County.”

Sponsorships begin at the table sponsor level for $250 which includes tickets to the event and recognition in the program. Bronze sponsorships are $500 and include an ad in the event program and recognition in all print media. For a $1,000 silver sponsorship, you can get a quarter-page ad in addition to the other level benefits.

A $2,500 gold sponsorship includes a half-page ad in the program, along with signage at your table. The highest level of sponsorship is the platinum or presenting sponsor for a $5,000 donation which includes a full-page ad on the inside cover of the program.

In addition to the April fundraiser, Michal said, the girls are currently making jewelry, which they will sell at this weekend’s Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival. Proceeds from the jewelry sale will go toward a scholarship fund.

The group will hold its second annual Boston Butt sale for the Fourth of July. Last year’s event raised about $5,000, Michal said.

The third annual Men Who Cook event will be held in September at the PZK Civic Center in Robertsdale. This year’s event will feature the Gear Jammers Car Club.

More information regarding sponsorship or tickets can be obtained at underhiswings.info or by contacting Under His Wings, 251-947-4673 or email hope.underhiswings@gmail.com.