It was a night of fun and culture. And it helped raise money for a local organization.

The fourth annual African Extravaganza was held last Friday in Driscoll Ballroom.

The Pan African Ensemble, a music group of West African drummers and dancers, performed throughout the evening. Ethiopian food was offered for $10 a plate.

All proceeds went to help support future efforts of the African Community Center, the organization hosting the event.

“What can we do to help?” Shaul Turner, extravaganza host, asked the crowded ballroom. “What we are doing right now is helping. Coming out and showing support to the community and helping to create a new community.”

The African Community Center helps refugees from around the world integrate successfully and safely into new communities.

“In the past year, ACC has helped to bring 3,300 refugees to Denver, hoping to bring them to a safe life in the U.S. and in Colorado,” said Turner.

“It is important to recognize that ACC is not only focused on refugees in Africa but has a mission to help refugees from all around the world,” said Meg Barritt, an employee of ACC.

The ACC seeks to celebrate the uniqueness of all cultures and communities.

Past refugees helped through the organization include individuals from the Middle East, South East Asia, Africa and the former Soviet Union.

“The event has multiple goals I think,” said Barritt. “To bring awareness to people about how they can help, to share culture through the performances and to share the mission of the African Community Center with people.”

Refugees and volunteers of all ages were helping to run the event, and many members of the Denver community showed to offer support.

“Our school club came to enjoy the experience and to share what we learn with other students at our school,” said sixth grader Emma Griffim-Derr of the Denver Center for International Studies.

When asked about her experience with the Ethiopian food, Griffim-Derr said, “They gave us this spongy bread and we used it as a utensil. I have never eaten like that before!”

The ACC also has a program called the Refugee Youth Outreach, which focuses on helping youth refugees adjust to a new life in America.

The program offers various activities, including a soccer program.

“The soccer program is a great program that has helped in comforting and supporting the youth refugees,” Turner said.

The ACC was created in Denver in 2001 and now has several bilingual staff members to help new refugees in their immersion into a new culture.

Financial contributions, donations, and volunteering are ways to help contribute to the mission of the ACC.