Bridge luncheon celebrates transforming women's lives
Bridge Communities will hold its sixth annual spring luncheon, "Celebrating Women, Transforming Lives," to recognize DuPage women's commitment to the community.
The lunch is from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Danada House, 3S501 Naperville Road, Wheaton. Women's gifts of time, talents and treasure will be recognized, along with their efforts to make our communities a better place for homeless families.
The Hinsdale Junior Women's Club will be awarded the Transforming Lives Award for its dedication to the empowerment of women and children. Each year, HJWC raises critical funds and provides hundreds of volunteer service hours to improve the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Founded in 1949, the club has raised more than $2.7 million, all directly funneled back into local communities. Club members have brought joy to Bridge families through their volunteerism and kindness.
Bridge was able to create the Hinsdale Junior Women's Club Education Endowment Fund, founded through the generosity of HJWC, which will provide counseling, scholarships, tutoring and an avenue out of homelessness to hundreds of children for years to come.
One of the women Bridge has helped, Lisa McNeeley, came in desperate need of housing for her and her two young children. At the time she arrived, McNeeley could not support her son and daughter, ages 14 and 10, while working a part-time, minimum wage job and attending school full-time to pursue a career in occupational therapy.
Now, after successfully graduating and becoming an occupational therapy assistant, she is following her dream of assisting children with disabilities full time and is a proud homeowner. McNeeley uses her voice and experience with Bridge Communities to inspire hope in others, and Bridge will award her the Life Transformed Award.
The event will be emceed by Emmy-winning journalist Judy Hsu. An integral part of the ABC 7 News team since 2001, Hsu is the co-anchor of ABC 7 Eyewitness News This Morning, at the No. 1 news station in Chicago. In addition to her anchor responsibilities, Hsu hosts a parenting segment on the morning show called "For Your Family."
She hosted the Sleep Out Saturday rally for Bridge Communities last November, and looks forward to welcoming supporters of Bridge again at the luncheon. Hsu resides in the Western suburbs with her husband and four children.
The featured speaker at the luncheon will be author Sally P. Miller. Writer, teacher, and sought-after speaker, Miller also serves as a hospital chaplain in the Western suburbs. Her most recent book, "Divine Love: Women Who Have It & How You Can Get It," is a collection based on biblical, historic and contemporary women.
Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at www.bridgecommunities.org.