For many children, the end of summer and the return to school can be a dreaded or an anxiety-provoking event. When you're in the midst of a personal or family crisis, education oftentimes takes a back burner to the more pressing issues needing attention. That's why the Houston Area Women's Center teams up each year with dozens of business partners and volunteers to ensure our child clients have one less thing to fret about.
In 2003, when Children's Court Services joined the Houston Area Women's Center, we witnessed the power of the packed backpack when 500 of our child clients walked away from our Back-to-School Project with grade-appropriate school supplies and backpacks.Last year, we provided 1,224 children with school supplies.
Parents are very appreciative of the assistance, as the school supplies we provide each child are valued at $75. The children are ecstatic when given the opportunity to pick out their favorite character or color backpack and return to school with new supplies, just like everyone else.
This endeavor requires lots of coordinating, and we'd like to give extra credit to our longtime supporters and repeat Back to School Project Chairs, Allan Watson of Marathon Oiland Mary Parnham of Parnham & McWilliams. This dynamic duo is leading a highly motivated committee of go-getters, comprised of: Angela Jenkins & Beth Ruffing – Administaff; Cindy Morrow – Fresh Brew Vending; Vanessa Fillman, Emily Madison-McCall, Ileana Masoucos-Hurtado – Shell Oil Company; Jen Waldner – AG Life; Rachel Simon – Chartis Insurance; and community volunteers Claudia Walkup, Laura Vazquez, Nadia Palacios Lauterbach, Pat Hord, Patti Smith, and Paul Widener. These folks are in a class of their own and we are forever indebted to them for their tireless efforts to provide good memories and experiences for our child clients.
What a stellar night! First, we wish to thank all of our supporters and guests for making this a record breaking fundraising event to support the vital services offered by the Houston Area Women's Center. Seven hundred guests braved the torrential downpours to attend our gala at the Hilton Post Oak on Friday May 14th. A VIP cocktail hour at 6:00pm allowed guests to sip champagne, sample lite bites, and mix and mingle with Co-Chairs Rachel and Scott Clingman, Alie and David Pruner, and of course Ms. Lily Tomlin. The reception began at 7:00pm and the ballroom was buzzing with guests. Board member and former sports reporter, Lisa Malosky, emceed for the evening, introducing Rebecca White, Ellen Cohen, Jim Postl, Carrie Potter and finally Lily Tomlin to the stage. Honorees for the evening were Sherry Merfish and CenterPoint Energy. Ms. Merfish, an active supporter and advocate for the Women's Center, was recognized for her multiple and ongoing leadership roles with the agency. CenterPoint Energy has been a dedicated provider of financial support and volunteers to the Women's Center for many years. Following the award presentation, Carrie Potter took the stage with Board Chair Shawn Raymond, and inside of five minutes, raised $45,000 for Women's Center services during paddles up. This put the event total at $685,000, the most the Women's Center has ever raised in a single fundraising event!!
The evening concluded on a high note, with an hour's entertainment by legendary comedienne Lily Tomlin. She was vivacious and nostalgic, weaving old and new characters into her unique monologue of observations and absurdities.
At the end of the evening, a reporter from Texas Monthly asked, "Now, what are you going to do to top this event next year?" I believe that is a question the 2011 gala chairs, Reliant CEO Jason Few and wife Arvia, are already working hard to answer!
We Give Thanks to...
Amerigroup Foundation Honors State Representative Ellen Cohen with Champion for Children Award
Houston Area Women's Center selected for $2500 contribution
The Champion for Children award is part of the Amerigroup Foundation’s national program recognizing outstanding public advocacy efforts by government and community leaders in improving the health and well-being of the nation’s children.
"Our goal is to work together with local leaders and citizens for the benefit of healthier communities and that starts with children," said John E. Littel, Chairman of the Amerigroup Foundation. "State Representative Cohen and her efforts represent terrific examples of what we can all accomplish when we keep the end result in mind. We commend her for her continual support of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as authoring and passing key legislation to protect children -- including legislation that provides $25 million for child survivors of sexual assault, requires booster seats for children under the age of eight and sets conditions on family violence offenders," Littel added. Read More
To commemorate Rep. Cohen’s commitment to children and their families, the Foundation presented a $2,500 contribution to the Houston Area Women’s Center. "I am thrilled that recognition of my efforts on behalf of the children of Texas is benefiting a cause for which I have dedicated much of my professional life -- advocating for the elimination of domestic and sexual violence. I am grateful to Amerigroup for their continuing commitment to children across the U.S.," Rep. Cohen said.
Rebecca White, President and CEO, of the Houston Area Women's Center, responded to the contribution made in honor of Rep. Cohen, "We are so grateful for this gift. This year has been difficult with huge increases in demand for client services in every program we operate combined with a challenging fundraising climate. We are pleased that we have been able to meet the increased need and provide for those who have nowhere else to turn. Amerigroup’s generosity and Rep. Cohen's continued commitment to our work mean the world to us."
Special Thanks to...
...United Way for funding and support.
...Harris County Community Services Department for ongoing funding.
