Friends of A Woman's Place Gala

Celebrating 15 years of Honoring Outstanding Women in Weld County at the UCCC

While Raising Dollars to support the Vital Work of A Woman's Place, Weld County's Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence.

Join us for the 2008 Celebrating Women Gala

Saturday, October 25th – 7 p.m. at the Union Colony Civic Center

Tickets now available at the UCCC box office

Visit our Events Calendar for updates!

For immediate release...

The Friends of A Woman's Place is proud to host the their 15th Annual 2008 Celebrating Women Gala - Saturday, October 25, at 7 p.m. at the Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., Greeley. Tickets are $25 general admission $10 students. This annual event occurs each October during National Domestic Violence Prevention Awareness Month. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of A Women's Place (AWP).

The Outstanding Women who will be recognized and honored this year include:

Jean Hoshiko of Kersey is a long time supporter of agricultural in our community. Her family's produce business has supported the Weld Food Bank for years. Mrs. Hoshiko and her family have been committed to the 4-H program in Weld County as well as in the state, nationally and internationally. Her efforts have also been felt as a long time supporter of the state extension advisory council. Her philanthropy extends to many other non-profit agencies in our community.

 

 

Judy Kron has touched the lives of thousands of Weld County residents through her volunteer work. Even though Judy has retired she continues her efforts to advocate for children as a Board Member of the District 6 School Board. Judy has also provided leadership in working with the Weld County Child Abuse Coalition, Greeley Transitional House, Weld Food Bank, the Faith Community Service Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and A Kids Place.

 

 

Lolly Macrum, owner of Lolly's Hallmark, is celebrating her 30th year of business in Greeley. Her store is consistently voted by Readers' Choice as their favorite gift store. Lolly has given back to her community over the years with countless donations to charities big and small. She gives thousands of dollars in merchandise each year to the Assistance League for use in their Bargain Box Store Program. Her staff says she rarely turns down a request to help a worthy cause.

 

 

Flo Mikkelson spends virtually all of her time making life better for those 50 or better. She is a Vice President responsible for the Frontier 50 Club at New Frontier Bank and is involved in many organizations that advocate for those 50 or better including the Greeley/Weld Senior Foundation, Weld County Area Agency on Aging Senior Nutrition Committee, and the Senior Center Advisory Committee. She is a mentor to young women and an advocate for the Arts.

 

 

Dr. Carole Schneider is considered by many Weld cancer survivors to be a miracle worker. A survivor herself, she wondered if exercise might relieve the ravages of chemotherapy and radiation. She wrote grants, appealed for funds and spearheaded the development of the Ben Nighthorse Campell Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute at UNC. The program generates research, provided hands on experience for students in the sport sciences, and has strengthened emotionally over 750 survivors.

 

 

 

Please join us to hear these outstanding women's stories in a video tribute that honor the work they have accomplished and the women they have become while making our community a better place.

Besides the video tributes to these five amazing honorees assembled by Andy Nagel of Mirage Productions, there will be an outstanding show produced by Jill Droegmueller and Kris Pierce featuring our own local Broadway Babes. The audience will enjoy an array of musical numbers from Broadway and off-Broadway shows that focus on women.

Our Mistress of Ceremonies for this evening of awareness building, fundraising and music will be radio personality, Amy Oliver who will guide us through an informative and entertaining evening focusing on the inspirational work women accomplish in our local community.

You'll learn more about outstanding women who have given selflessly to others along with hearing the music gifts shared by teachers, moms, grandmothers, musicians, housewives and retirees. Every dollar raised helps support the vital work of A Woman's Place. Ticket sales will assist A Woman's Place programs and services that aid the victims/survivors of domestic violence who need services when there is no where else to turn.
Between January, 2008 and September, 2008 A Woman's Place provided 1,850 nights of stay to 106 women and 112 children. Not only was shelter provided, but food, basic personal necessities, case management, emergency transportation, counseling, and legal advocacy were available to clients.

More importantly, additional support sessions and information and responses to crisis calls totaled more than 800 contacts with staff at AWP the staff ably led by the Executive Director Ellen Szabo. Legal Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator Fawn Harmon supervised and shared 176 presentations to 3,000 members in our community.
The need exists and A Woman's Place is doing their best to respond.

A Woman's Place (AWP) evolved from a grassroots effort that began in 1977 through the efforts of a coalition of caring volunteers and the city of Greeley. The SafeHouse was established in 1981 to provide a safe haven for battered women and their children. Since that time the staff has helped empower thousands of victim/survivors of domestic abuse to become safe and self-reliant. Friends of A Woman's Place started honoring outstanding women in Weld County in 1994 as a way to raise money for AWP. Thanks to the many sponsors and donors over the years Friends has donated more than $500,000 in support of the vital programs offered to help get shattered lives back on track. All proceeds from the Gala go to A Woman's Place.

For more information contact Friends President, Rebecca Funderburk, 330.7077 or
356.8650 or V.P., Kristi Helzer, 506.1882.