Avalon Manor was filled with laughter, food, fun, and beautiful people that all came together for a good cause. It was the Friends Assisting Women in Need, Inc. (FAWN) annual Fashion Show, Dinner and Silent Auction.
The night started out in the grand banquet hall. People came in, dressed to the nines, and mingled and sampled hors d'oeuvres that the waitstaff offered. The agenda for the rest of the night was a delicious dinner, live auction, silent auction (which could be bid on throughout the night), and a fashion show featuring looks from local businesses and boutiques.
"Tonight is a fun night," Caren Furdeck, Development Coordinator for Housing Opportunities said. "A full-plated dinner, a fashion show with the theme A Parisian Affair, and really great auction items. We love this event!"
"FAWN helps local nonprofits in the area raise funds to help support their missions and visions," Renee Gluth, Chairperson of FAWN, said. "Proceeds from the event go directly to support Housing Opportunities' permanent housing program which houses homeless and disabled individuals in Porter County."
Housing Opportunities, a HUD-approved and state-certified housing agency that serves Northwest Indiana. It's mission is to empower families and individuals by providing housing solutions that are safe, decent, and affordable for families; and by customizing client support services that promote self-reliance. Currently, Housing Opportunities is providing shelter for about 400 homeless people in Northwest Indiana, with half of the people being children. The organization has served 2,560 people in the past year alone through foreclosure prevention programs and crisis intervention services such as temporary, transitional, and permanent housing programs.
Awards were given out to individuals who made significant contributions and significant progress with Housing Opportunities: The recipients were: Dawn Ray, Michael Burris, Julie Spears, and Darlene Perry.
"If it wasn't for people like all of you, I wouldn't be here today," Spears said to the crowded room. "You're giving helps people like me in this world so I just want to thank you all and I want to thank Housing Opportunities. They really do work miracles."
"I love working with Housing opportunities because they offer a hand up and not a handout," Kaye Frataccia, Housing Opportunities Board Member said. "They help people get back on their feet and there are professionals to help people from the very beginning of the process to the very end."
Click here to see more photos from the event!
Sponsors for the event:
$5,000 Sponsorship: Lakeside Wealth Management
$2,500 Sponsorship: Academy Mortgage/Michelle Bissonette & Century 21/Dawn Collins; Porter-Starke Services
$1,000 Sponsorship: BMO Harris; Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa; Bodensteiner, Ivan & Pat; First Merchants Bank; NiSource; Perry, Michael & Darlene; Schwerd, Christian; Task Force Tips
$500 Sponsorship: Blachy, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman; GNAIR, Schultz, Kurt & Julie
$250 Sponsorship: Baitup, Joanne; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Executive Group Real Estate; Contour Media; Coolman Communities; Custom Dosing Pharmacy; Douglas, Alexa; Koeppen & Hurley; Greater Indiana Title; Kostidis Chiropractic Clinic; Ozinga; Pinkerton Oil; Schacki, Carolyn; Shidelder, Lisa D.D.S.
$200 Sponsorship: 1st Source Bank
$150 Sponsorship: Harris, Welsh & Lukmann; Urschel, Erin
$130 Sponsorship: Frataccia, Ric & Kaye; Pithadia, Bharat & Kanak
$100 Sponsorship: Amereco, Inc.; Bartholomew, Art & Marlene; Brightstar of Valparaiso; Brown, Michael & Mary; Carlisle Valparaiso Restaurant; Emcor Hyre Electric; Fidelity National Title; First Location, LLC; Hutton, Jim & Bev; Martin, James & Rene; Sweet, Brad & Kathleen; Team Chevy/Don Brubaker; Valparaiso First Insurance; Valpo Soft Touch Car Wash