Sistercare, the entity that advocates for abused and neglected children in the Midlands, is experiencing a phenomenal increase this year in comparison with year to date figures from last year.

From July 2008 to July 2009—Sistercare has had to turn away 50% more women and children. The organization has experienced a 46% increase in the number of calls to the hotline. It is providing services to 20% more women and children.

Sistercare’s largest fundraiser is October 1, the 7th Annual Songbird Café Musical Event To Benefit Victims of Domestic Violence Thursday.

Each year Sistercare provides services to more than 5,000 victims of domestic violence in the Midlands, and you are needed to continue the important work of caring for the most vulnerable in our community.

On Thursday, October 1 nationally acclaimed recording artists Mark Bryan of Hootie & the Blowfish and Ken Block and Andrew Copeland of Sister Hazel are joining forces for the Songbird Café jam session to benefit Sistercare. The event will be held at Leaside, 100 East Exchange Boulevard, Columbia. Advance tickets are $100 per person and include heavy hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine.

Doors open at 7 pm, and the performance begins at 8 pm.

Songbird Café is modeled after Nashville's famous Bluebird Café where songwriters perform before a small audience in an acoustic, jam–session format.

For tickets call Sistercare at 803.926.0505 or visit www.sistercare.com.

The Songbird Café is sponsored by the Lexington Medical Center, Blue- Cross BlueShield of SC, Southern Way Catering, and Hampton Hill Athletic Club.

Sistercare is a local United Way partner agency serving victims in Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Fairfield and Newberry counties.