Eileen Walker (middle), 2013 Women’s Center Gala Honoree, with Glori Norwitt and Rebecca Ciota, Gala Co-Chairs. (contributed photo)
The Women’s Center will be celebrating 38 years of serving families and the community at our 11th annual “Shelter From the Storm” benefit on Friday, March 8th from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at The Amber Room in Danbury. Well known Ridgefield community activist and philanthropist, Eileen Walker, will be honored for her steadfast, active and generous support; she has served on the Women’s Center Advisory Council since 2007.
One of this year’s event Co-Chairs, Rebecca Ciota, explained, “The Gala is the perfect place to honor Eileen Walker for her tremendous support. The evening will celebrate both her commitment and all the Center does for the community.”
Ms. Walker added, “The Women’s Center fills a gap in our social support system that helps individuals move from debilitating circumstances to independence. They are there through the heat of the crisis, through the recovery, and continue to give support as individuals rebuild their lives and families.”
The Women’s Center provides free & confidential services that prevent or lessen the trauma associated with domestic violence, sexual assault and other major life transitions. Last year, the Center served more than 26,000 women, men and children in 13 area towns. All event proceeds will help to fund these counseling, residential, prevention, and educational programs and services.
2013 Gala Committee Members Alexa Skalandunas, Roseanne Galante, Glori Norwitt, Kathy Graham, Linda Trentacosta, Tamar Christopher-Hord, Lynne Phillips, Shauna Barker, and Barbara Cottingham (left front to right back). (contributed photo)
The 11th annual Gala will feature carnival games, comedienne Christine O’Leary, open bar, music, dinner, and silent and live auctions.
Thus far the Gala has many generous community supporters. Indeed, Eileen and her husband, Jay Walker, have donated a coveted live auction item – a tour of The Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination for a group of 12 (visit http://www.idea-sandbox.com/destination/2009/01/library-of-imagination-jay-walkers-inspirational-space/ for a fascinating preview).
$20 raffle tickets are now available until the big night. The grand prize is a 7-night vacation for two at the Esperanza Resort & Spa in Los Cabos, Mexico, including airfare. The first prize is a $1,000 American Express Gift Card. (Winners will be drawn at the Gala, but need not be present to win.)
To donate an item, buy a raffle ticket, purchase Gala tickets ($125 per person), or inquire about event sponsorship, please call our Development Director, Samantha Conetta Flynn, at 203-731-5200 or visit www.wcogd.org.
