UTICA, N.Y. – The Q-Center at ACR-Health received a financial boost Wednesday evening at its annual ‘Celebrity Bartender’ fund raising event.
Nearly 250 people attended the event inside the Shade Bar & Grill at Delta Hotel-Marriott in Utica. The money raised will help fund the Q-Center - a safe place for local LGBTQ youth.

"We all know the LGBTQ community is more susceptible,” volunteer Derek Clark said. “They have a higher dropout rate. They have less interaction with their families in some cases. So our job at the Q-Center is bring all of that together and create an environment that's a safe haven for them so they can prosper."
Clark said a few anonymous donors came forward offering to match total tips collected.
Beside the beverages, attendees could take part in a 50/50 raffle and bid on Comets game tickets, tickets to the Sound of Music – just to name a few.
If you would like more information on the Q-Center at ACR Health visit their website.