A New Direction Beverly Morgan Park (AND), the local domestic violence agency, will host its 2017 fundraiser on Sat., Oct. 21, 7 to 10 p.m. at Ridge Country Club, 10522 S. California Ave. Live entertainment provided by the Megan Curran Combo, open bar and hors d’oeuvres highlight this annual event, along with a grand raffle and silent auctions.
A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the ANDi award to The Quilter’s Trunk, 10352 S. Western. The ANDi award is an annual partnership award given to an individual, business or agency that helps AND fulfill its mission “to provide counseling, education, support and advocacy to individuals and families affected by domestic violence.”
Since opening The Quilter’s Trunk in 2015, owner, Katie Nathwani, and store manager, Lisa Wilberding recognized that giving back to the community is an important facet of their business. They became active participants in Quilting Magazine’s One Million Pillowcases program, which encourages quilt shops around the country to collect handmade pillowcases for donation to charities.
The Quilter’s Trunk expanded the scope of the program by hosting sewing events to create pillowcases, as well as to collect quilts for donation.
The quilts and pillowcases donated to AND are given to women and children served by the agency. Through daily contact with The Quilter’s Trunk customers, word spread about Nathwani and Wilberding’s program and the response has been remarkable. In its first 18 months with the program, The Quilter’s Trunk donated more than 200 pillowcases and 50 quilts.
“Quilters quilt out of love and are very generous with their time,” said Wilberding.
Kristy Arditti of A New Direction, views the program as a way for men and women in the community to connect with and support the agency’s survivors. “Making things by hand is a lost art and we have been witness to the tremendous comfort these quilts and pillowcases have brought our clients.” Arditti said. “The feeling that they are worthy of such beautiful and painstaking creations is not to be undervalued. They also serve as a physical reminder that our clients are not alone and that they deserve safety and comfort.”
Jessica McCarihan, AND Board president agrees. “Our agency depends on community involvement like this to be successful. We are so grateful to The Quilter’s Trunk for supporting our agency in this way.”
The Quilter’s Trunk is the sixth recipient of the ANDi award. Others are The Women of the Castle; Amy Moran, Alphagraphics; Julie Partacz, Standard Bank; Katie and Patrick Murphy, Sweet Freaks; and Jean Catania and the Morgan Park Juniors.
This AND benefit grand raffle first prize is a week vacation at the Playa Grande Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico and an $800 voucher for airfare. Second prize is two Southwest Airlines round trip tickets anywhere Southwest flies in the continental United States. Third prize is an Amazon Echo and three Amazon Dots. Featured silent auction items are: jewelry including a beautiful diamond bracelet; sports tickets; tech items, wine and other gourmet items.
AND provides confidential counseling and advocacy services at no charge to clients as they navigate their journey to safety. AND’s vision is to have every home be safe and free of domestic violence and abuse. The goal for the 2017 fundraiser is to increase the amount of funds generated through last year’s event in order to continue to grow and provide services to those affected by domestic violence.
AND invites businesses and individuals interested in sponsoring the event or donating items for the silent auctions to contact Monica Carey, monica@anewdirectionbmp.org. For more information about A New Direction or to purchase tickets visit www.anewdirectionbmp.org.
