Batavia Woman's Club joins hands to benefit two local charities

As the Batavia Woman's Club looks forward to its fashion show and charity event next month in St. Charles, it's drawing inspiration from the actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn.

"As you grow older, you will find you discover that you have two hands - one for yourself, the other for helping others," Hepburn said.

"The BWC loves this simple quote from this beloved actress. It's one we use all the time," said Cynthia Kieckhefer, chairman of this year's 11th annual Fall Into Fashion luncheon and fashion show to raise money for the charities Rise From the Ashes and Mutual Ground.

"It reveals, in its quiet way, that when you recognize your own strength, and help yourself first, then you are capable of helping others. This combination of empowerment and goodwill is what drives our philanthropic organization."

Kieckhefer said the club has discovered a need in its own community.

"Statistics report one in every five women has been abused by someone they trust. But yet, it seemed impersonal until we heard about these two local charities and talked to victims of domestic violence," she said. "These are women and children in our own neighborhoods."

Mutual Ground, a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, opened an office in Batavia. And that shelter has been beyond capacity all summer.

A few years ago, club members heard a woman speak of her vicious husband whom she was able to finally divorce with the aid of a benevolent attorney. This woman and her attorney formed a charity to help others called Rise from the Ashes.

The club's luncheon and fashion show will be on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Q Center, 1405 N. Fifth Ave., St. Charles, Doors open at 10 a.m. Tickets are $60 for adults and $30 for children and are available at www.bataviawomansclub.org/events. All proceeds will go to the two charities.

"We have learned so much about these victims through our affiliation with these two charities," Kieckhefer said. "While we need sponsorship and donations from businesses to help us host a fun, entertaining, and profitable event, we all need to do our part.

"We all need to talk about this quiet and hidden scourge. Fear is placed in these victims by their abusers. These women and children become more isolated, cut off from support or help. Isolation saps their emotional strength and creates a feeling of hopelessness. Abused women and children become so humiliated, they learn to hide."

Club members believe if people talk about the supportive services in their community, the increased awareness will help victims of domestic abuse who do not know about the available resources.

"Our club has found real momentum unifying behind this cause. This year we revamped our website with a new and progressive look as well," Kieckhefer said. "We need to give our community an easy way to see what this club does for our community."