MEDIA RELEASE

November 10, 2006


Contact: Jane Simpson, Director of Public Relations, (402) 978-5646, or
Meghan Malik, Young Families Initiative Program Supervisor and Wicker & Wine Event Coordinator, (402) 978-5638

Lutheran Family Services raises $63,000 at Wicker & Wine Boutique Basket Auction

Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) raised $63,000 and had 300 participants at its annual Wicker & Wine Boutique Basket Auction on Nov. 2. The event raises funds for the LFS Building Families Boutique, a prevention/early intervention program for parents of prenatal and young children. The Boutique is located in Council Bluffs and serves families in Pottawattamie County. The fundraiser was held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the atrium at the Omni Centre Business Park, 300 W. Broadway in Council Bluffs. Catering was provided by Hap Abraham Catering.

The event featured wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, and live and silent auctions. Approximately 50 themed baskets were auctioned. The live auction included a week’s stay at an oceanfront villa in Mexico, a specially-designed diamond pendant necklace by M. Shepard Designs, a home light and decoration display by Christmas Decor, a hunting/fishing trip with meals/lodging on the Missouri River near Niobrara and many more.

“We were thrilled that we doubled our attendance and raised five times more funds than last year,” says Young Families Initiative Program Supervisor Meghan Malik. “The tremendous support for this event will allow the Building Families Boutique to continue its growth to serve young children and families.”

The Presenting Sponsor was Home Instead Senior Care, and the Primary Sponsors included Alegent Health, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Wal-Mart. The honorary chairs were Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack and First Lady Christie Vilsack and Wayne Sensor, Alegent Health CEO, and Cindy Sensor. The event chairs were Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan and Bruce and Joni Rasmussen. The event committee included Carol Russell, food and décor; Nancy Peck Todd, marketing and public relations; Pam Fischer Korth, reservations; and Joni Rasmussen, sponsorships and baskets.

The Building Families Boutique is located at 300 W. Broadway, Suite 7, in Council Bluffs. Through parent education and support, this incentive-based program engages parents and children in healthy activities. By participating in these activities, parents earn and redeem points for the “purchase” of new and used infant and toddler items at no cost.

About Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska:

Thousands of families of all faiths are served through LFS programs and services that include counseling, addiction services, immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, prison aftercare, congregational support, foster care, adoption, respite care and disaster relief services. Learn more about LFS at www.lfsneb.org or call (402) 342-7038.

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