OCEAN CITY – Area residents are invited to show their support for a popular community organization with the second annual Red Doors Gala and Art Auction.

The event, to benefit the Red Doors Community Center in Ocean City, is set for Jan. 9 at Fager’s Island. Tickets cost $125 and can be purchased online at www.reddoors.org until Jan. 8. Fawn Mete, director of the Red Doors Community Center, says the event helps fund many of the programs the organization offers.

“We strive to keep our classes affordable, and offer thousands of dollars in needs-based scholarships to local children each year,” Mete said.

She said the gala was the organization’s primary fundraiser and had proven successful in its inaugural year.

“Last year we weren’t sure what to expect, but the event went off without a hitch and was so well-received that we chose to keep the format pretty similar this year,” Mete said. “This is our only big fundraiser and we are expecting between 150 and 200 guests. As a non-profit, we rely heavily on community support.”

Attendees at this year’s event are invited to Fager’s Island at 6 p.m. where they will walk down a red carpet and have photos taken by Kimberly Tucker Photography. Inside, they will be greeted by the sounds of Bryan Russo’s Bargain Scotch as they enjoy an open bar and browse the variety of artwork that will be on display. Both levels of the restaurant will be set up with tables and food stations featuring the best local restaurants have to offer.

Jazz pianist Robert Mete will perform as attendees dine on dishes from Captain’s Table, the Atlantic Hotel, Si’Culi, Mother’s Cantina, Fager’s Island, BJs on the Water, Waterman’s Seafood, Bull on the Beach, Wockenfuss, 45^th Street Taphouse, Longboard Café, Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen, The Carousel, Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon and Bay Landing Shellfish Co., among others.

At 8:30 p.m., the highlight of the evening, a live art auction emceed by DJ BK of Ocean 98.1, will begin. Work from local artists Patrick Henry, Kevin Fitzgerald, Deborah Rolig, Rina Thaler, Jeffrey Auxer, Leslie Belloso, Randy Hofman, Ralph Hastins, Brian Waggoner and Evan Fitzgerald will be offered to bidders.

The evening wraps up with entertainment by Lauren Glick and Melissa Alesi until 10 p.m. The restaurant will remain open after that, and Mete says Fager’s Island is offering special room rates at The Edge and Lighthouse Hotels for gala attendees.

The Red Doors Community Center at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea offers programs in the performing arts, visual arts, science and technology. Mete says though most of the programs are for children, the Red Doors is offering yoga for adults and will begin an ecumenical speaker series this winter.

“Our mission is to provide opportunities for enrichment in mind, body, and spirit, so we design all of our classes in response to requests from the community, particularly local parents of young children,” she said. “While most of our programs are for youth, we are looking to offer more artistic and spiritual programs for adults in 2016 as well.”