First Ever Bags To Riches Sees Success

WICHITA, Kan. – Bags to Riches, held on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at the WaterWalk, raised over $15,000 to benefit Catholic Charities’ St. Anthony Family Shelter and Harbor House.   It was the first time Catholic Charities has held an event like this to benefit both shelters simultaneously.

Guests enjoyed a great venue, complete with a tour of the beautiful WaterWalk lofts, delicious food and drinks and a silent auction of over 100 sought-after bags, purses and other accessories.  

 “We were very pleased to see so many women out supporting these much needed programs in our community,” said Nicole Lloyd, Special Events Coordinator for Catholic Charities. “We definitely met our goal of getting new donors to this event to help share our story and express our need while offering an enjoyable experience for the participants.  The funds raised by this event will help the hundreds of families our shelters serve.  I would like to thank all the people who came to the event, our sponsors, donors, volunteers, staff, and the advisory council members at Harbor House and St. Anthony Family Shelter for making this wonderful event possible.  We look forward to doing this event next year.”  

 Catholic Charities’ St. Anthony Family Shelter provides food, shelter and support to homeless families in the community. In 2009, the shelter provided over 175 families, made up of over 300 children, a safe place to stay. The new facility, built in 2006, allows 24 percent more occupancy than the old shelter with room for 13 families at a time.

In addition to the basic necessities, families at the shelter receive three meals a day plus snacks, toiletries, medical services and referrals, instruction in parenting skills, drug and alcohol counseling classes, screenings and referrals, case management, and follow-up services.

 Catholic Charities’ Harbor House exists to help women break the cycle of domestic violence through shelter, prevention and outreach services. Since opening in 1992, Harbor House has helped thousands of women and children escape domestic violence. The new shelter facility opened in 2006, making Harbor House the largest domestic violence shelter in the state. This Catholic Charities program is able to make a difference not only in the lives of those who stay at the shelter, but also in the lives of thousands of others who receive outreach services. Last year more than 1,500 women and children were touched by the services of Harbor House, and nearly 300 of them stayed in the shelter. Proceeds from this event go toward making these things possible.

 Catholic Charities Advisory Council members who planned the event:
Alice Johnson, Jim DeBroeck, Linda Rice, Linda Lauer, Dana Leivian, Vi Schuckman, Sandi Baalman, Sharon Bastian, Earlene Condiff, Megan McDonald, Terri Burton, Gerri Thomas, Crystal Parrott, Colleen Mikesell, Deanna Talbott, Debbie Snyder, Kelli Kerschen, Karen Rowe, Andrea Gegen, Shelly Breault, Pam Burgardt, Pam Hesse, Bonnie Capps and Juvetta Slane.

Entertainment
Music provided was provided by DJ Ronnie Choy of The Dance Man.  

 Prize Drawing
Two prizes were available as part of a prize drawing held throughout the evening. For a suggested donation guests could enter into a drawing for a basket of goodies from Fabulous Salon and Connie’s Cookies or an authentic leather rhinestone bag and gift certificate from Dandale’s.

Sponsors
Jimmy John’s provided sponsorship for the event. Bob FM and the Wolf provided radio advertising at a reduced cost for the event.

About Catholic Charities
Established in 1943 as a social service outreach of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Catholic Charities has served the community for more than 65 years. Since its beginning, Catholic Charities has helped people of all faiths and backgrounds, “demonstrating the Gospel values of love and justice through service, education, advocacy, and collaboration.” Accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), Catholic Charities works to ensure efficiencies and effectiveness of its program – striving for quality, while being good stewards of our earthly resources. Catholic Charities has made an assertive effort to become more energy efficient and resource conscious. Learn more about this and other Catholic Charities efforts at www.catholiccharitieswichita.org.

About Fundraising
Each year, Catholic Charities must raise a portion of its budget through donations from individuals, corporations, and private foundations. In 2010, the goal is to raise $1.5 million. Bags to Riches is a part of this effort, raising money to help families with children and women fleeing abuse with children, stabilize their lives. Learn more at www.catholiccharitieswichita.org.

###