Shower benefits shelter that helps women

It had all the makings of a bridal shower, with guests choosing from a gift registry before dining on a sumptuous luncheon and seeing door prizes filled with trendy new fragrances.

The only difference was that there was no bride. Instead, guests purchased gifts for women and children served by WINGS, Women In Need Growing Stronger, and its Safe House emergency shelter in Rolling Meadows.

Even the door prizes went to shelter residents. For the second straight year, officials with Bath & Body Works donated baskets filled with some of their most popular fragrances as Mother's Day gifts.

"A Safe Place to Dream: a Shower for Shelter" took place Friday at the Inverness Golf Club, when more than 100 supporters gathered for the event. Members of the Friends of Safe House Advisory, an eight-woman group, hosted the shower.

"We held our first one three years ago, before the shelter opened," said Irene Rozansky of Des Plaines. "People like to come because they can purchase things that specifically help the Safe House."

Just after arriving, guests perused offerings in the gift registry before selecting the items they wanted to purchase for the shelter.

Gifts ranged from ceiling fans in the bedrooms, to standing towel racks, a blender and microwave, to more expensive items, such as a dining room set and professional cleaning services for the shelter.

Many supporters on hand, like Katherine Sawyer of Palatine, purchased toys and supplies for the children who stay there with their mothers.

"I firmly believe in the mission of helping women get back on their feet and recover their sense of dignity and self worth," Sawyer said.

Bonnie Albrecht of Inverness selected children's art supplies from the registry, knowing how therapeutic art can be for children.

"I like the fact that this event is so pro-active for the women who are asking for our help," Albrecht said. "It's all in the spirit of giving and supporting them."