Annual Women In Distress Starfish Luncheon to Help Families Affected by Domestic Violence
Broward Sheriff’s Office/Sheriff Scott Israel, Broward County Chiefs of Police Association, Humane Society of Broward County, and Walmart Foundation to be honored for their efforts to keep families safe
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Community partners Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO)/Sheriff Scott Israel, Broward County Chiefs of Police Association, Humane Society of Broward County, and Walmart Foundation, along with a survivor of domestic violence, will be honored by Women In Distress of Broward County at the 11th Annual Starfish Luncheon Presented by ADT, BB&T, and JM Family Enterprises/Southeast Toyota Distributors on May 24 at the Signature Grand in Davie.
This annual event helps Women In Distress (WID) provide critical services, such as emergency safe shelter, to adults and children who are fleeing abusive homes. Since 1974, WID has been providing an environment that helps participants recover from the traumatic effects of victimization and develop an understanding and awareness of the dynamics of domestic violence by empowering them to gain independence and self-sufficiency. The agency currently operates a 132-bed shelter as well as an outreach center at the Jim & Jan Moran Family Center in Deerfield Beach. All services are free and confidential.
Last year, WID provided more than 30,000 nights of safe shelter, answered more than 20,000 calls to its 24-Hour Crisis Hotline and provided nearly 30,000 hours of counseling and therapy. Half of those served by WID are children, with the average age of five-years-old, with the demand for child therapy and counseling continuing to grow.
This year’s luncheon is being chaired by Kim Bentley, JM Family Enterprises, Inc.; Krissy Kennedy, The ADT Corporation; and Jason Aube, BB&T. They are also members of the Board of Directors of Women In Distress. More than 500 guests are expected to attend the starfish-themed event inspired by Loren Eisley’s “The Star Thrower” — a story that celebrates how each of us has the ability to make a difference in the life of another.
The luncheon will begin with a silent auction at 11 a.m., followed by the program at noon. Individual luncheon tickets are $100, table sponsorships are $2,500, and journal ads start at $250. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Auction items include travel packages, sports and cultural events, special experiences plus a variety of fashion, art, jewelry and other unique items. Raffle tickets for a chance to win a stay at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas may be purchased online in advance and at the luncheon for $20 each or six for $100.
Women In Distress will recognize BSO and Sheriff Scott Israel for their many collaborative partnerships and for taking a strong stand against domestic violence each and every day; Broward County Chiefs of Police Association for being at the forefront of examining issues surrounding access and safety for survivors of domestic violence, training for law enforcement officers and victim advocates, as well as community policing to protect all citizens; Humane Society of Broward County for being an important community friend to the families helped by WID, recognizing the linkages in pet abuse to abuse of children and partners; and the Walmart Foundation for supporting food and emergency shelter needs for survivors of domestic violence and their children at the shelter.
In addition to Presenting Sponsor ADT, BB&T, and JM Family Enterprises/Southeast Toyota Distributors, event sponsors include Comerica, Holy Cross, Hudson Family Foundation, Judy and Don Thiel, Leo Goodwin Foundation, MBAF, Memorial Healthcare, Miami Dolphins, NSU, Publix, Sun Sentinel, Thomas Family Foundation, Ultimate Software, and Wells Fargo.
For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit http://www.womenindistress.org or contact Michael Barron at 954-760-9800 x 1256 or mbarron@womenindistress.org.
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About Women In Distress
Women In Distress is the only nationally accredited, state-certified, full service domestic violence center serving Broward County, Florida. Our mission is to stop domestic violence abuse for everyone through intervention, education and advocacy. We strive to accomplish this mission through a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter program, individual counseling, support groups and professional trainings which are aimed at educating the community on domestic violence. More information visit www.womenindistress.org