PHOTO GALLERY: Masquerade Dinner Benefits MARYS House

On Monday evening, Easley residents donned their perfect disguise and set out to raise money for a local shelter and to learn more about domestic violence.

Dozens of masked diners turned out for the first Masquerade Dinner for MARYS House at Bleu VooDoo Grill.

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MARYS House provides emergency shelter, services, and spiritual guidance to victims of domestic violence with no state or federal assistance. MARYS House is a facility built debt-free by the community and we are still debt-free. Since opening in October 2008, we have provided shelter to over 300 women and children.

Diners had the opportunity to bid on door prizes, enjoy dinner with friends and to help provide funding for services for women in need of shelter.

Organizers hope that the dinner will continue to grow each year and will help to increase the awareness of spousal abuse and domestic violence.

According a recent study, South Carolina is ranked the second highest in the country for domestic violence homicides.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and number of organizations and agencies will partner for a month-long social media campaign to raise awareness regarding the issue of family violence and to encourage individuals, families, businesses, faith communities and organizations to join together to break the cycle.