Purse & Quilt and More Auction

Catholic Charities North Dakota Raises Over $22,000

BY ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON LEGACY PHOTOGRAPHY

Over 230 people attended the sold-out 4th Annual Purse & Quilt and More Auction on April 8 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fargo. The proceeds – over $22,000 – will benefit Catholic Charities North Dakota’s Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Services.

The crowd enjoyed complimentary wine and appetizers as they admired the live and silent auction items, which included designer purses, weekend getaways, a wall of wine and nearly three dozen quilts from skilled local artisans.

The program also featured a speech from a birth mother, whose honest and articulate description of her daughter’s open adoption through Catholic Charities North Dakota brought the crowd back to the emotional heart of the event.

“This event has grown tremendously from last year,” said Carly Gaddie, Director of Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Services. “We’re excited about everyone who’s here tonight and the opportunity for them to learn more about the work we’re doing in the field of adoption.”

“The visibility is great,” agreed development associate and event coordinator Sarah Ries. “It helps make people aware that we provide these services to women at a vulnerable time in their lives. We provide our services to anyone, regardless of their religious affiliations or ability to pay. So it really is a service to North Dakota.”

Preparations are underway for the 5th Annual event on April 7, 2014. [AWM]

soroptIMIsts: Empowering Women

Soroptimists Raise Over $7,750 for Local Women and Girls

BY BETH DIANE BRADLEY // TAYLOR MADE PHOTOGRAPHY

soroptimist International of Moorhead ushered in spring April 6 with its biggest fundraiser of the year, “Springtime Styles” at the Dilworth Lutheran Church. Fashions from Coldwater Creek, Chico’s, Sanford Gift Shop, and Downtown Diva were featured and modeled by women of all ages.

The annual event includes a silent auction of 65 purses overflowing with gifts arranged around themes like cooking, gardening, wine, or pets. The wine table filled with wrapped bottles of wine, valued at more than the $10 donation, was empty before the fashion show began.

The money raised will go towards scholarships for women with dependents, and for young women aged 14 to 17 who volunteer. The group also provides playground equipment for Gooseberry Park, specifically for disabled children, and funds for park beautification.

Many businesses as well as club members donate purses and gifts for the fundraiser each year. “It works like clockwork, because all our members are involved and it comes together beautifully for the women in our community,” Susie Nickell, PR Director, said. Soroptimist means ‘Best for Women.’ “We empower women and we help women; giving them a hand up, not a hand out,” Nickell said. [AWM]