Shelter families to benefit from event

SPRING IS HERE-Women's Council members shown with 2004 Spring Basket entries. From left: Terre Neufeld, HomeAid Los Angeles/Ventura; Jeri Davis, With Love, Grandma, Inc.; Debbie Aronson, SunCal Companies; Joanne David and Dawn Tulman, Haven Hills; Toleda Frazier, Restore; and Deanne Filerman, California Solar & Plumbing.

Building Industry Association/Greater Los Angeles-Ventura Women’s Council chapter will host its annual "Spring Basket Luncheon" on Wed., March 23 at the Westlake Village Inn, 31943 Agoura Road, Westlake Village.

This event supports several battered women and children shelters such as Haven Hills, Restore, Coalition to End Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse, La Posada New Economics for Women, and With Love, Grandma, Inc.

Many of the families come to these shelters under desperate measures, being forced to flee at a moment’s notice, leaving all personal belongings behind, just in order to get to safety and shelter.

Guests invited in and outside the building industry are asked to create baskets filled with items such as toys, infant clothing, baby bottles, women’s hygiene products, blankets, clothes, socks, sweaters, school supplies and virtually anything that aids the fleeing families.

"Baskets" vary from simple straw baskets to playpens, strollers, wading pools, playhouses, toy boxes, wagons and any other type of container that can be of aid to the shelters.

At the luncheon, volunteer judges will rate each of the generous donations for their creative and design flair.

Winners of the basket contest enjoy prizes but the real winners are the shelters. After the luncheon, the baskets are dismantled and the contents dispersed among the shelter representatives. Everything donated goes directly to the families in need that day.

This is one of Women’s Council most popular events and reservation space fills quickly.

If you are interested in donating a special basket, wish to attend the luncheon or find out more how Women’s Council works within the building industry and with the shelters they support, please download the RSVP form online at www.womenscouncil.net or e-mail at info@womenscouncil.net.

Upcoming events for Women’s Council are the Architectural Drawing Contest in May open to any high school student who aspires to become an architect.

Scholarships are awarded to students who win first, second and third places in a variety of categories.

In July, Women’s Council hosts its Membership Mixer for a fun-filled evening celebrating the individuals who have joined Women’s Council or aspire to join. The last two events of the year are the Political and Education Luncheon in September and the Holiday and Awards Luncheon in December.

For more information, call Karen Dry at (818) 991-3487.