This September, nearly a thousand guests will gather at the Fort Worth Convention Center to visit with friends, enjoy fine food and be entertained at the Women Who Care, Share 2012 Luncheon. But most of all, these guests will have an opportunity to witness first-hand the impact the YWCA of Fort Worth and Tarrant County makes in the lives of women and children.
The luncheon has come a long way since its inception 14 years ago. Founded by former director Beverlee Herd as a way for women to socialize while raising funds and awareness, the first luncheons took place in the YWCA ballroom and were attended by far fewer people - roughly 200 guests attended the inaugural affair.
This year's theme is "Let's Chat: A Conversation Among Friends" and will feature stories of lives transformed. Janeé Harrell of The Janeé Show, will emcee the event. A champagne raffle reception will take place prior to lunch at 10:30 a.m., Sept. 28. And students from the Rosie K. Mauk Child Development Center will serenade diners.
Special Events and Communications Manager Elizabeth Marshall said Women Who Care, Share is not just a major fundraiser but also an opportunity to educate the community-at-large about the work the YWCA performs on behalf of homeless and low-income women and children in the area.
"The primary goal of the YWCA (luncheon) is to raise much-needed funds for those served by YWCA programs," she said. "But we also want to show our community where those funds are going and the lives changed by their contributions."
Carolyn Gruensfelder and Debi Hicks co-host this year's luncheon.
"The impact of having 1,000 women at the Fort Worth Convention Center hearing stories of how the money raised impacts the residents and their children really spoke to me," Hicks said.
In a departure from past years, organizers plan to honor a group of women rather than an individual for volunteer service to the YWCA. The Women of Montserrat will serve as honorary co-chairs and be recognized for their contributions.
For information on attending or how to become a table host, please contact Marshall at 817.332.6191.
