$80,000 raised for Women In Distress

Over 300 guests recognized this year’s honorees at The Second Annual Starfish Luncheon with Women In Distress (WID) on May 14th . Under the leadership of event co-chairs, Gale Butler (AutoNation, a Maroone Company) and Melinda Lee (BankAtlantic Foundation), and auction chairs, Hal and Lois Herman, the event raised more than $80,000. The funds raised will support emergency shelter and support services for victims of domestic violence and their children in Broward County.
WID honored those making a difference in Broward County, one person at a time, one life at a time. The Starfish Honorees included:
• Corporate Citizen: AutoNation – AutoNation played an important role in the success of the Annual Starfish Lunch both last year and this year through sponsorship, in-kind support and wonderful leadership of Gale Butler as Co-Chair. Additionally, AutoNation supports WID with dedicated board service and employee volunteerism, cell phone and donation drives, a team at the annual SAFE WALK, and in-kind donations of professional services and other resources.

• Community Leader: John Primeau - John has been a valuable member of WID’s Trustees for two years. From the very start of his involvement, John maintained an active role in helping the Agency grow. He has acted as a leader, committee member, organizer, helper or anything else required of him. He has been an integral member of WID’s capital expansion committee, dedicated to evaluating our resources and options to grow WID’s capacity to serve more victims. He never seeks recognition for his efforts. I think it is all the more important than that we acknowledge his impact on our community.

• Community Volunteers: Ira and Sara Jane Drescher - Ira and Sara Jane lost their daughter, Donnah, to domestic violence in 1995 and to keep her memory alive, they established Donnah’s Fund at Women In Distress, empowering domestic violence victims to live safely and independently. With the outpouring support of The Dreschers, their friends and their family, Donnah’s Fund provides assistance in establishing safe households for women and their children, with the support of housing deposit, furnishings and other related items. To date, Donnah’s Fund has raised more than $30,000 and has assisted more than 50 families.

Special recognition was also given to presenting sponsors JM Family Enterprises and Sun-Sentinel. Other corporate supporters included BankAtlantic, AutoNation, Great Florida Bank, Publix, WaMu, Memorial Healthcare, Roof System Services, Comcast, Vista Healthplans, Floridian Community Bank, Christine Marie Communication, and Toshiba.
Long time Women In Distress supporter Randy Rogers served as the event’s Emcee. In addition to an impressive silent and live auction, silver starfish necklaces, provided by Miss Katie’s Charm School, were sold as mementoes. Guests also received starfish themed note cards which included the inspiring starfish story on the back, along with the WID logo, so that everyone could spread the message. Gale Butler recognized the talented student musicians from the Dillard Center for the Arts who performed at the luncheon, and she then elaborated on WID’s new Social Change Department and the outreach to which they are committed in Broward’s schools, and throughout the community. She highlighted an important initiative of Women In Distress – to educate, change perceptions and advocate for non-violent standards of behavior, so that domestic abuse and dating abuse is unacceptable by anyone, anywhere, at any time in any way.

At the conclusion of the day, Starfish Honoree, Sara Jane Drescher, commented that, “The Starfish Luncheon was beyond anything I could ever have dreamed of. I know that through Donnah’s Fund we are not only saving lives we are saving generations. Donnah would be so proud of what we are doing”. It was an inspirational day for all.