INSIGHT: Business women's club hosts health fair luncheon
BY MARGE KULLERSTRAND
margek@nwitimes.com
219.933.3244 | Sunday, April 29, 2007
 This year instead of the regular luncheon and style show that Merrillville-Duneland Business and Professional Women's Club usually hosts, members decided to combine a health fair with high tea and called it Tea and Trends.
With the help and sponsorship of The Methodist Hospital, the club also was able to have three doctors speak - Dr. Abdul Kawamieh, Dr. Ibrahim Zabaneh and Dr. Mary Vanko - with Jake Messing serving as moderator for a panel discussion with the audience.
The event was held at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Merrillville.
In included the usual boutique shopping and silent auction but there were also health information and screenings for the first two hours followed by with an elegant luncheon followed by a keynote speaker.
 As always, proceeds of the afternoon went to benefit local organizations. This year's beneficiaries were Meals on Wheels and Rainbow House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Kudos to the team who worked so hard to make this a memorable event for all who attended, including Cheryl Locke, Co-chairwomen Gail Harris and Carol Kalmar, Margie Cosentino, Marian Nicksich, Josephine Doherty, Lynn Kirk, Judy Bigelow, Diane Sharp, Maggie Reister-Walters, Kathy Miller, Fran Lenzo, Angela Butler, Karen Petalas and Donna Blandford.
Merrillville-Duneland BPW holds a fundraiser annually to benefit community and civic activities. In 2006, the organization raised money for Haven House and The Caring Place.
For information on membership to the organization, call Marie Martin (219) 922-4959.
Celebrating 25 years
The Friends of Hospice, the fundraising auxiliary for Hospice of the Calumet Area, will host its annual Seeds of Hope dinner and silent auction May 18 at Avalon Manor in Hobart. This year’s gala marks a milestone - the silver anniversary of the organization itself - and will honor a group of women designated as "Founding Friends."
The auxiliary formed shortly after Hospice of Northwest Indiana (as it was known then) began service in 1981 as the first hospice agency in the area, and its new members voted on a name and mission. The "Friends" volunteered to assist the Hospice Board of Directors with an ice cream social and planned a brunch as the first fundraising event, followed by a dinner dance the following year.
Today’s group, composed of more than 200 members who pay dues of $25 per year, hosts a fall luncheon in addition to the May gala and donates about $100,000 per year to Hospice of the Calumet Area. Membership is open to anyone who wishes to support its mission.
Current Friends of Hospice President Shar Miller said the "Founding Friends" saw the same needs that today’s members see. "We are so fortunate to have Hospice of the Calumet Area serving patients and families who are facing end-of-life illnesses. Just like the women we are honoring this year, many of us have been touched personally by Hospice and are happy to do anything we can to support this agency."
The 2007 Seeds of Hope honorees are Marilou Ahlgrim (Mrs. Everett), Margaret "Peggy" Bachman, Catherine "Kay" Boege (Mrs. Thomas), Helen Bomberger (deceased), Catherine "Cathy" Carras (Mrs. Nathan), Marcia Gaffigan (deceased), Ruth Kerger (Mrs. Mathias), Margaret "Peg" Kiernan (Mrs. George), Kay Dell Knarr (Mrs. Thomas), Marge McCarthy (Mrs. J. Walter), Pat Nau (deceased), Margo Powers (Mrs. Donald) and Charlotte Riley (deceased).
The May 18 event is open to the public and will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction featuring gifts and services donated by local Hospice supporters as well as celebrity memorabilia. The dinner and program will follow at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for Seeds of Hope cost $75 per person and may be purchased by calling Chris Dow at (219) 922-2732.
Hospice of the Calumet Area is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life through compassionate care for individuals and families facing an end-of-life illness.
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