The Volunteers for Ethiopian Orphans will hold a benefit dinner Feb. 24 to raise money for orphaned children around the world.

The "Black, White, and Bluegrass" benefit dinner will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Knoxville Marriott ballroom. Attendees will enjoy dinner (a choice of a salmon, steak or vegetarian entrée), bluegrass music, dancing and a showcase of local artists' work.

Tickets for the event are $100 and can be bought on VEO's web site, or purchased from VEO representatives during the next two weeks in front of John C. Hodges Library or on the Andy Holt pedestrian walkway.

Because the tickets are considered donations, they are tax-deductible, said VEO Chairman Arash Arab.

Students and doctors will travel to the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, on an eight-week summer trip to present the donations to orphanages.

The trip to Africa is tentatively set for June 2 through Aug. 2. Students can choose to participate for three weeks, four weeks or the whole length of the trip.

Ermias Regassa, a sophomore in international business and journalism, founded VEO on Sept. 11, 2006. Regassa, who is from Ethiopia, serves as the group's CEO and president.

Regassa recognized the challenges and number of orphans in Ethiopia and was inspired to do something for children in all parts of the world "one country at a time."

VEO hopes to raise $50,000 by the end of 2007. The group is enthusiastic about upcoming events including the dinner and the summer trip, as well as an Ethiopian fashion show, a book and school supply drive and a health care drive.

Last semester, the group held two dinners that served traditional Ethiopian food and two "Dollar Days" in which they collected money from pedestrians using the Andy Holt walkway.

VEO consists of about 30 active members. "Membership is open to anybody," Regassa said. 

For more information on VEO, those interested may e-mail Regassa, call the organization at (865) 384-1727 or check out their regularly updated web site.