May 12, 2003
Women For Women: Stellar Evening Raises Funds, Consciousness and the Roof!
Once again, Fairfield showed what it's made of when 275 women arrived, in spite of the weather, for an evening of celebration while raising funds for the Crisis Center and Women'’s Shelter in Ottumwa. Event organizers indicate that the event profits may have reached their $10,000 goal.
The Executive Director Cheryl Brown and, DJ Swope fiscal manager, both guests of honor at the event, said $10,000 would enable the Center to keep it's doors open for another year. Several Iowa crisis centers have closed due to funding cuts.
Great entertainment, an auction, delicious desserts and a room full of beauty, music and lightness make for a winning combination. Most participants paid no mind to tornado or late night. "The sheer giggling bliss of this evening will stay with everyone who attended for a long time," says Cindy Buck. "It was one of the best nights out in years".
All ages were present. Little girls were lined up on the floor in front with pillows making a slumber party of it, many mother/daughter sets were calling it an early Mothers Day celebration.
The tangible feeling in the air was of women comfortable with other women. Says Maryanna Eagleson, one of Saturdays performers. It is empowering.
The evening fostered for participants a healthy message about themselves, their bodies, their influence and their joys. As one woman put it: "This evening dissolved the story of ‘I can’t because I’m not good enough". That says it all.
ArtLife Society's role in sponsoring the event was clear to Stacey Hurlin, founder, from the inception of the fundraising idea. "Any event that enhances the Arts also enhances Community. This event not only did that, but it brought support to a community facility that needs our attention." Hurlin said.
Toward the end of the evening, when no one could resist the impulse to dance, "or was it during the participant dance instruction in Near East Dance?". Hurlin leaned over to Brown and Swope and said, "Yes, we will raise money for the Center but we are doing it by having fun".
Hurlin recognizes that people in service-oriented positions can use a boost themselves sometimes. "You just know that years focused on the level of the problem can be exhausting and discouraging. We did what we do best in this community. We added a light element." She says "I think if love and light are tangible, we sent them home dripping in it!"
Event coordinator, Deborah Roberts, emphasizes again that she is extremely impressed with community support for this event. Roberts continues, "And, of course, we couldn'’t have done it without the entertainers."
"I think everyone loved giving of themselves." she says. "We like to think we are aware of more than our own community. It was fun to support a neighboring sister town."
It is a basic and universal truth: Help thy neighbor. Doesn't get much simpler then that. Hurlin concludes, "An evening like this makes us proud of our actions as a compassionate, enlightened community."
The event may not stop here. Hurlin is talking about seeking funding for larger fundraising/awareness raising events. Bonnie Thompson, of Fred Swartz and Co., raised her question as she walked out the door: "“This is the first annual Women for Women, right?"
Donations may be sent to The Crisis Center P0 Box 446 Ottumwa 52501.
This article comes from the Fairfield Weekly Reader