BARNESVILLE — Lights, camera, action — Foster Hope Ohio Valley’s Murder Mystery Dinner will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Main Street Barrel House.

This year’s theme is the “Silver Screen Awards,” which Foster Hope founder Amanda Hession said is giving attendees the excuse to come in their most elaborate clothing.

“Since it’s Hollywood awards-themed, we’re telling everybody to dress in their best red carpet attire, but it’s not required. We’re just encouraging everybody that’s all,” Hession said.

She added that all of the actors participating in the murder mystery are Barnesville High School students volunteering their time to help support Foster Hope Ohio Valley.

“They volunteered their time, and I am greatly appreciative to them for doing that,” she said.

She noted that when she approached the Barnesville High School drama class, all of the students were instantly excited to volunteer their time for the event.

“I went to the school and approached the students with the drama teacher’s OK, obviously, but they were all very engaging and very happy to help out,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun for them and our guests.”

Foster Hope Ohio Valley was started in 2019 by Hession to provide comfort to foster children as they move into a new home that’s either temporary or their forever home. Hession started the organization with her two best friends, Anna Sells and Jessica Mahoney.

Hession said that the COVID-19 pandemic put the organization’s fundraising event on pause in 2020 but now she has brought it back.

The organization serves 13 counties in the Ohio Valley — Belmont, Carroll, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble and Tuscarawas in Ohio, and Brooke, Hancock, Marshall and Ohio counties in West Virginia.

The organization gives each child served a backpack filled with several items. The organization breaks the backpacks into seven separate age demographics to better provide the individual child with what someone their age would need. The seven groups are newborn to 1 year old; 1- to 2-year-olds, 3- to 4-year-olds, 5- to 8-year-olds, 9- to 11-year-olds, 12- to 15-year-olds, and 16- to 18-year-olds.

“The money that we’ll raise with the tickets and the silent auctions and raffle auctions will be going to provide comfort and essential items to kids as they enter into foster care,” she said.

Hession is expecting Wednesday’s event to completely sell out and said that, as of Monday, she only had four tickets left.

“If you are interested in attending I would say to reach out to us on our Facebook page, which is Foster Hope Ohio Valley, or email us at FosterhopeOV@Gmail.com and we might be able to squeeze you in or we take physical donations as well as monetary donations,” she said.

She added that in 2024 the organization donated 550 backpacks to area children who were entering the foster care system.

“For 2024 we donated and delivered 550 backpacks for the year. This year our goal is 700 backpacks, so this event and any other future events that we have throughout the year will definitely help us achieve that goal,” Hession said.