Lutheran women raise almost $50,000 for children's services

On May 3, 346 guests attended the 30th annual Forget-Me-Not Brunch and Fashion Show, hosted by The Women's Network of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.

Nearly $50,000 was raised at the event that will fund LSSI's Children's Community Services, which include statewide foster care and adoption services, youth crisis intervention, and four Head Start centers located throughout Chicago.

The Women's Network is a group of volunteers that promotes and supports LSSI programs. Honorary co-chairs of the event were Dorothy Kopperud (Naperville) and Mary Satter (Chicago), who co-chaired the first brunch and fashion show in 1985.

"Whether it is placing children into safe and loving homes through our foster care and adoption programs, building a strong foundation for learning with preschoolers at our Head Start Centers, or providing intervention services for youth in crisis, LSSI empowers children and families for positive life achievements," said Ruth Jajko, senior associate executive director, Children's Community Services. "Philanthropic funding provided by The Women's Network helps to enhance these services that are vitally important to children and families throughout Illinois."

"Since the first Forget-Me-Not Bruch and Fashion Show was held 30 years ago, the Women's Network has raised over $1 million for Children's Community Services at LSSI," said Kopperud. "Our fundraising efforts have played an important role in providing valuable services to our state's most vulnerable children."

"We are grateful for the countless individuals who have helped us promote LSSI's mission to bring healing, justice and wholeness to people and communities across Illinois," said Satter,

The fashion show featured clothing from local designers, department stores and specialty shops. It also offered guests the opportunity to shop at special gift boutiques that feature designer and handcrafted accessories and jewelry. The event took place at The Stonegate Banquet Centre in Hoffman Estates.

Founded in October, 1867, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, headquartered in Des Plaines, is a statewide, nonprofit social service agency of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Last year, LSSI served more than 96,000 individuals across Illinois. LSSI is one of the largest foster care providers in the state, caring for more than 10 percent of all foster children in the Illinois child welfare system.

For more information, visit www.LSSI.org and LSSI's Facebook page.

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