The Santa Clarita Valley Emergency Winter Shelter will host a comedy fundraiser and an open house for the community in the week prior to opening its doors for the season on Dec. 1.

It will be the 15th winter the shelter has provided hot meals, a safe environment, shelter and important job and medical resources to the local homeless population.

The semi-annual Humor Helps comedy fundraiser brings comedian Michael Loftus and two special guests to the SCV on Sunday, Nov. 27.

“As Santa Clarita’s homeless population grows, the demand to meet the basic needs of our homeless guests has become more challenging,” said Tim Davis, executive director of the Santa Clarita Community Development Corp., the non-profit group that operates the shelter. “We’re counting on a strong showing at our Humor Helps comedy fundraiser to help us provide those basic necessities such as showers and a safe environment for our neighbors in deepest need.”

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Loftus (pictured) is one of the most sought-after writer/performers in comedy today. In 2009, his one-hour special “You’ve Changed,” about surviving marriage and that one argument you can never win, premiered on Comedy Central.

Tickets to the show cost $20. Anyone who purchases tickets online and enters the coupon code “HH2011” will receive $2 off. A silent auction will begin at 6 p.m. and the comedy show starts at 6:30 p.m.

The event will take place at Blessed Kateri Catholic Church, 22508 Copper Hill Drive, Saugus 91350. To purchase tickets go to www.laughstub.com and search “winter shelter” or call Dee at (714) 510-6972.

The shelter’s annual open house will be the following Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the shelter grounds at 23031 Drayton Street, Newhall 91321, off Railroad Avenue. Board members and staff will be there to give shelter tours and answer questions about homeless services designed not only to provide immediate aid, but also to help end the cycle of homelessness.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone who has yet to see our Drayton Street location or anyone who is interested in learning more about Santa Clarita’s homeless services,” Davis said. “We want everyone to feel welcome to stop by for any amount of time. We have a demanding year ahead of us and we want to invite the community into the rewarding work we do daily.”

The Santa Clarita Emergency Winter Shelter campus on Drayton Street in Newhall is pictured before an army of volunteers prepares it to open for the season on Dec. 1. Photo: Stephen K. Peeples.

Davis also invites local businesses to get involved in fundraisers. One example: Spoon Me at 24305 Town Center Dr. #105 in Valencia is donating all tips received in November to the shelter.

For more information about shelter, email Davis at ed@sccdc.com, call the hotline at (661) 259-1298 or visit www.santaclaritashelter.com, where a list of current needs is posted. The next date for donations drop-off at the shelter is Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.