The banquet room at Leo's Ristorante will become someplace sweet in order to help Someplace Safe.
The restaurant is the site for the sixth ''Just Dessert'' fund-raiser for the organization that provides temporary shelter and support for women and their dependent children who are victims of domestic violence.
Patricia Porter, executive director Someplace Safe, said the event has turned into a popular annual fundraiser, attracting from 175 to 200 people to sample the confections offered by area businesses who donate their services.
This year's dessert providers include: JD's Post House, Just Pizzelles, Cold Stone Creamery, Fun Flavored Fudge, Joanna's Greek Treats, Elegant Delights, The Cake Boutique and Colonial Bake Shoppe.
Stella Kotsatos-Angelo, who co-owns The Cake Boutique with Penny Bennett, said they will serve sample-size portions of their Kahlua fudge cake and a white almond sour cream cake with chocolate truffle and real strawberries in the center.
''It's like a chocolate-covered strawberry (in the center),'' Kotsatos-Angelo said. ''We wanted to have some kind of Valentine's Day flavors.''
While the event provides a good networking opportunity for the business, Kotsatos-Angelo said they also believed it was an organization worth supporting. ''It's important to let women know there is a way out,'' she said.
Kathy Warzala of Colonial Bake Shoppe said they will be serving two of their most popular cakes - a HoHo cake with homemade buttercream frosting and chocolate ganache and a banana split cake that features fresh strawberries and bananas and a homemade Bavarian cream.
Warzala said the family-owned business gets many charitable requests.
''We look at them and try to decide which ones are really worthwhile and will really help somebody, and Someplace Safe is definitely like that,'' she said.
In addition to the sweets, Leo's Ristorante is providing cheese and fruit trays, ''For those who don't want to go home on a sugar high,'' Porter said, and Starbucks will be providing coffee drinks.
Susan Campbell of WFMJ-TV will be the host, and the musical duo Take II will perform throughout the evening.
Additional money will be raised through silent and live auctions, including restaurant certificates, sports tickets and baskets that will appeal to men and women. Among the live auction items are a $300 catering package from DiLucia's, a hot air balloon package, a dinner party for 24 people at the Opera House in Cortland, a one-week condo stay at Seven Springs Resort and a spring cleaning package valued at $450.
''Just Dessert'' runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Leo's Ristorante, 7042 E. Market St., Howland. Tickets are $25 and can be reserved in advance by calling 330-393-3003 or purchased at the door.