Executive director Rosangela Berbert and 2016 Connie Steele Woman of Strength Beth Heuer

Last week some 100 guests joined us at our Silent Samaritan Luncheon, held at the beautiful Riverview Gardens. We celebrated a successful Silent Samaritan Campaign, which raised $26,000 to give low-income women access to counseling. The campaign, themed “Women of Strength Helping Women in Need,” is in its 11th year. The 130+ donors to the campaign made this its best year yet, motivated by three anonymous matching gifts totaling $9,500.

At the luncheon, we also honored Beth Heuer our 2016 Connie Steele Woman of Strength. An article on Beth and the award appears in today’s Post-Crescent. Read more about it here.

There was more to celebrate, too! Keynote speaker Nancy Heykes, VP of development for Goodwill NCW, was surprised when Samaritan executive director Rosangela Berbert and development director Lisa Strandberg led guests in a harmonious rendition of “Happy Birthday” immediately following her message.

Happy birthday, Nancy!

Thank you, Pat Mahoney, husband of board member Kathy Mahoney, for all the amazing event photos!