An evening to honor outgoing Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his wife, Ava, is planned for Friday, Jan. 13, in the Community Center.

All proceeds above the dinner cost will be donated to Extended Hands Food Bank of Fountain Hills.

Tickets for the 6 to 8 p.m. event are $50. There will be a cash bar. The capacity for the community center is 300, said Extended Bands Food Bank executive director David Iverson. The cost to rent the facility has been waived.

Iverson said a Sunset Kiwanis Club member approached him and asked if the food bank would be interested in hosting an honorary dinner for the couple. The Arpaios have lived in town since 1992.

Arpaio agreed to only one public event to mark his retirement, said Iverson. “This will be it because the event will be in town and the food bank will benefit,” said Iverson.

The Fountain Hills Republican Club Board of Directors is assisting in coordinating a program that will include speakers and entertainment, said Iverson.

“This is not a political event, but a tribute to a man and his wife for their years of service,” said Iverson. “We are grateful for his (Arpaio’s) years of service to not only our nation as a U.S. Army veteran, but also as our sheriff.”

Arpaio, 84, a Republican, lost re-election in November to Democrat Paul Penzone, ending Arpaio’s 24-year tenure as Maricopa County sheriff.

A website has been created – honorsheriffjoe.com – where details are available. Tickets for either beef, chicken or vegetarian pasta entree can be reserved.

Iverson said tickets will quickly sell out. The deadline to purchase a ticket is Jan. 2.