15th Annual Women’s Luncheon Raises Over $40,000 For Boys & Girls Club Programs
Women Making A Difference Awards Presented To Deb Larsen and Twila Veysey
The 15th Annual Bay Area Women’s Luncheon, held on Thursday, May 20th, raised over $40,000 and was attended by over 500 women. The Luncheon, sponsored by Umpqua Bank, Paul & Kathleen Rudder and Jim & Audrey Albaugh, is an annual fundraising event for the Boys & Girls Club of Southwestern Oregon, to benefit the programs offered to over 3,200 youth each year.
This year’s Luncheon, held at the William J. Sweet Memorial Tennis Center, was catered by Fresh Beginnings Catering and featured Club Board, Staff and Youth members speaking about the benefits of Club programs.
The event began with the Boys & Girls Club’s singing group singing “Over The Rainbow”. Shortly after, the audience listened to a speech by staff member Naomi Hockema on how the Club can change the lives of those who need it the most. She was followed by Club member Zack Carroll telling the audience that his trip to the Youth of the Year competition has provided him hope, and a belief that he can achieve his goals.
The speakers were headlined by Cindy Ball, incoming Boys & Girls Club Board President. Ball did an excellent job of providing the attendees a vision of the Club’s need. She highlighted the fact that the Club faces a budget deficit, is in need of repairs and relies on almost $800,000 in cash and in-kind donations each year. Ball’s dedication and compassion for the Club was evident when she concluded her speech by reminding everyone that as tough as the economy has been on those in attendance, it has been even more difficult for the kids at the Club.
The lunch also included a presentation of the annual Women Making A Difference Awards to 2010 recipients Deb Larsen and Twila Veysey. Larsen has been an educator for 33 years, and was introduced by one of her 5 foster children. Veysey is the Director of the Court Appointed Special Advocates, a program that has grown to over 75 volunteers under her leadership, and was introduced by her friend and co-worker Bridgette Bagoy.
