FAIRMONT — On Feb. 17, Habitat for Humanity of Martin and Faribault Counties will hold its first Winter Celebration Dinner.

Habitat for Humanity is a global, nonprofit organization that focuses on building, rehabilitating and preserving homes. It also advocates for fair housing policies, and provides training and access to resources to help families improve their housing conditions, according to the organization’s website.

Habitat for Humanity of Martin and Faribault Counties formerly had a celebrity server dinner to raise money, but it was time for a change, said Staci Thompson, executive director. Habitat for Humanity South Central Minnesota does a similar dinner fundraiser, which gave Thompson the idea.

“So we just kind of took their idea and made changes and quirks to it,” she said.

Funds raised through the dinner will go toward Habitat for Humanity projects. Currently, the group is in the process of finishing two houses in Fairmont.

Programs through the organization include A Brush With Kindness, which focuses on exterior fixups for low-income homeowners, and Critical Home Repair, which focuses on interior and exterior work to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations for homeowners in need.

“We just are needing the support of Fairmont and the surrounding communities to help us continue to build in Martin County,” Thompson said.

The event will involve a silent auction with a number of large prizes, including a two-person big game hunting trip to Africa and a gambling package with area casinos.

The dinner is planned for Feb. 17 at Interlaken Golf Club in Fairmont. The silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $75, with $50 going directly to Habitat for Humanity.

Thompson said that although invitations for the dinner were sent out, anyone is welcome to attend. To RSVP, call (507) 526-2500. While the deadline to RSVP is Friday, it may be extended.

Thompson said the goal is to have 100 people attend the dinner.

“We just really want people to come out, beat the winter blues and have some fun,” she said. “Have a night out and support a really, really good cause that does a lot of good for families in the Martin County area.”