For Immediate Release

October 20, 2010

Contact: Bev Carlson
Director of Public Relations
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska
(402) 978-5646
bcarlson@lfsneb.org

Fundraiser Supports Pottawattamie County’s Youngest Residents Basket Auction supports growing programs for children & families

October 20, 2010 (Council Bluffs, IA)  –  Children in Pottawattamie County – birth to age five -- will be the beneficiaries of the upcoming “Wicker and Wine Basket Auction.”  Doug and Deb Goodman are the honorary chairs of the November 4th event, which will be held at the Mid-America Center.  In addition to the auctions, attendees will also learn about a name change that reflects the dramatic growth and expanded services over the past five years.

In 1999, the citizens of Pottawattamie County believed that when given the essential skills and support, highly stressed parents and caregivers with limited resources would create healthier environments for their children, reducing the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. 

This vision became the heart of the “Building Families Boutique” in Council Bluffs, an incentive-based program where participating parents and caregivers earn points by engaging in healthy activities including immunizations, well-baby check-ups, parenting classes and completing educational goals. Points earned are redeemed for new infant and toddler items at the Boutique “store”.  

Over the past eleven years, the offerings at the Council Bluffs location have grown to include parenting classes, early childhood mental health therapies, and a wealth of other offerings designed specifically towards early intervention and prevention.   With this expansion of services, a new name was needed.   The “Boutique Store” will now be an important part of the “Pottawattamie County Center for Healthy Families℠.”

“Pottawattamie County has truly become our flagship Center,” says Ruth Henrichs, President and CEO of Lutheran Family Services. “It is because of the commitment, vision, and growth in Pottawattamie County that we will operate three Centers for Healthy Families℠ by the end of 2010, all following the Council Bluffs model.”

In 2009, the Pottawattamie County Center for Healthy Families℠ served:

• 417 families (61% with income below $20,000/yr)
• 502 children age 5 and under
• 76 pregnant mothers and their unborn babies

Tickets to the Wicker and Wine event are available at www.lfsneb.org, or can be purchased at the door.  The event is Thursday, November 4, from 5:00pm to 7:30pm at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.

Contact:
Bev Carlson 402.978.5646 bcarlson@lfsneb.org
Building and Strengthening Families

For more information visit www.lfsneb.org.

Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) is a faith-based, non-profit, multi-service human care organization with more than 30 locations. The organization impacts nearly 35,000 people annually through community-based programs in Children Services, Community Services, and Behavioral Health. The work of LFS is supported by caring members of our community whose contributions help make services available for those unable to pay. 87% of all donations go directly to client services.