Dunebrook recently celebrated its annual Gala with 200 guests at Pottawattomie Country Club in Michigan City. The Gala is Dunebrook's biggest fundraiser of the year, and provides vital funding for parent support programs and the Child Advocacy Center. Gala proceeds help to deliver services including home visitation, parenting classes, forensic interviews, family advocacy, Body Safety and Stewards of Children to children and parents in our community.
Guests enjoyed dressing with this year's theme, "An Evening with the Stars," and welcomed "celebrities" including Audrey Hepburn, Carol Burnett as Scarlett O'Hara, Moe Howard, Doris Day, Billie Holiday, Phyllis Diller, Clark Kent and Lois Lane. The evening featured Mistress of Ceremonies Amy Lange, a Michigan City native and investigative reporter with Detroit Fox News; guitarist Dave Marciniak; and, auctioneer Bill Moldenhauer.
Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lester Radke Community Service Award to Angie Nelson, recognizing her work in helping our community's children to reach their potential. The Radke Award, first presented to its namesake, Lester Radke, recognizes community members whose selfless attitude and caring spirit help to improve the lives of others. Previous Radke winners are Bruce and Julie Manner, Fred and Sue Miller, Duane Seifert, Dave De Lau, Norm Steider, Larry Fegaras, Rebecca Fistel and Joe Coar.
Dunebrook is a family resource center serving more than 300 families each month in home visitation, forensic interviewing and parenting classes; delivering Body Safety to schools; and, presenting child abuse prevention strategies to organizations and community groups. Dunebrook has offices in Michigan City and Valparaiso, serving La Porte, Porter, Starke, Jasper, Pulaski and Newton Counties.
Dunebrook's vision is Every Child: Safe, Healthy, Happy. For more information about enrolling in Dunebrook's programs or to request a speaker, call 800/897-0007 or visit www.dunebrook.org.