FRIENDS Spring Party

By Melissa Johnson

FRIENDS is an auxiliary volunteer group supporting Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) On April 13th they hosted their annual membership social and fashion show In addition to socializing and hors d-oeuvres, guests enjoyed a style show by Fabulous You with special models Carol Thesing, Stevie Irby, Snehal Johnson, Renee Lukefahr, Deann Rueff, Joyce Levine, Pat Somers and Jordan Rice

FRIENDS Special Needs Fund underwrites the needs of children in the foster care system that CAFB and other providers are unable to offer – items that most people take for granted The fund has underwritten backpacks filled with school supplies, summer camp tuition, tutoring, caps and gowns for graduating seniors and computers for college students FRIENDS has more than 100 members and is managed by a Council which provides volunteer opportunities and social events throughout the year Annual membership dues are $40 per year Membership is open to anyone

Our mission and our values are central to the work that we do and every one of our staff members has a role in how we meet our mission. Meet some of our staff members and learn their connection to our miss

Saturday, April 29th CAFB held its 23rd Annual Gala for the Children This year ’ s theme was based on the novel by Roald Dahl – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

It’s about the story of Charlie Bucket, a kind and loving boy who lives in poverty with his family near the Wonka Chocolate Factory and who yearns for a better life One day, Willy Wonka announces a contest in which Golden Tickets have been placed in five random Wonka Bars and the winners will receive a full tour of the factory as well as a lifetime supply of chocolate. And one lucky winner will receive an additional prize at the end of the tour. Charlie’s kind spirit and positive outlook make him a favorite of Willy Wonka and he is invited to come live and work in the factory. But Charlie declines because he doesn’t want to leave his family behind, which is the most important thing in his life. With the passage of time, Willy Wonka finally comes to realize the value of family and he invites Charlie and his entire family to move into the Wonka Chocolate Factory all together.

Foremost, this is a story about Pure Imagination -- that Charlie can “be free if he truly wishes to be,” something that is woven through all the sweet delights that Charlie experiences as well as the more somber tones of Charlie’s search for happiness

A second theme is the Importance of Family and how even winning “the most fabulous prize one could wish for – a lifetime supply of chocolate” is not what Charlie wants if it means that he will have to be separated from his family

And finally, the theme of a happy ending with a permanent home closes the story when Willy Wonka grants Charlie his wish to have a safe, happy place to live in the chocolate factory together with his family and “ so shines a good deed,” remarks Willy Wonka.

At Child Advocates of Fort Bend, these themes punctuate the work we do. Imagination is at the core of our work. We imagine a better life for every child who has suffered abuse or neglect. From despair, we imagine hope. From pain, we imagine healing. From tragedy and heartbreak, we imagine recovery and triumph.

We give special thanks to these generous sponsors for their support of this impactful event.

Golden Ticket: OCuSOFT, Inc., Exchange Club of Sugar Land; Willy Wonka: Lynne & Aaron Spiwak; Auction Paddle: Rangeland Energy; Bar & Napkin: ChampionX; Centerpiece: The Hrebenar Family; Photo Booth: KW Southwest; Program: NOV; Sponsorship Kit: fun abounds; Auction Take Home Bag: Onyx Supply Solutions; Charlie: Johnson Development, Emerson Automation Solutions, Deann & Mark Rueff; Signature Cocktail: Jill & Sandy Curtis; Dinner & Dessert: Manmeet & Paul Likhari; Valet: Sewell Audi Sugar Land; Gift Card Pull: Monica & Xavier Maza; Oompa Loompa: BGE, Inc., CivilCorp, LLC, Early McClintic & McMillan, LLP, OakBend Medical Center, Monica & Dan Rayburn; Registration: Drs. Guillermo and Anne Marie Ponce de Leon; Mission Banner: Eileen Gallagher Akerson, Dr. Betty Baitland, Frost Bank, Chiang Law Firm PLLC, Douds/King/McClellan/Somers, Dr. David Lanagan & Dr. Angela McCain, Tracy Walker State Farm; Video: Amegy Bank; Live Auction: Sugar Lakes Family Practice; Wonka Bar: Alings Chinese Bistro, Rick DeToto & Jamie Reyna, District Attorney Brian Middleton, Exchange Club of Fort Bend, Valerie & Sam Golden, Grove Realty, Ingram Family, J. P. Morgan, Suzy Morton & Dell Toelkes, Olson/Tuma, Apurva & Mona Parikh, Roald’s Dahls, SiEnviro, Chip & Cindy Sutton, The Thankful Ones, Tricia Turner Properties

We give special thanks to these generous individuals and companies for their extra volunteer or financial support which helped the event run smoothly.

All Star Storage, Cookie Joe Arthur, Aulson Inlay LLC, Michelle Cano, Calvary Episcopal School, Cookie Joe’s Dancin’ School, Denise Echelberger, FASTSIGNS, Mary Favre, Michele Fisher, Liz Furman, Susie Goff, Jessica Gregory, Houston Federal Credit Union, Jessica Kij, Penni & Mark Lapeyrouse, Linda Lee, Longaker Foundation, Vickie Looney, Deborah Maltman, Beverly & Rick Martinez, Jill Paquette, Lori Renfrow, Nancy Schultz, Jeff and Dawn Shank, Pat Somers, Frankie Steele, TMD Financial Services LLC, Lin Wooten

See photos from this event

Our Needs Our Needs

This month, we have immediate need for:

Blankets

Stuffed animals

Pop it toys

Additional items can be found on our WISH LIST