The Ellen Marie Jackson Chapter #13 of the Knights of Peter Claver (KPC) Fourth Degree Ladies of Grace Division held their 3rd annual ‘Women With Children in Crisis’ benefit for the Good Shepherd Shelter for Battered Women with Children on September 12.
The high tea event, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Culver City, is part of a 35-year commitment made by the KPC Ladies of Grace to combat the issue of domestic violence.
Special guests attending the event included Sir Knights Harry Wiley, Faithful Navigator; Robert Williams, Faithful Captain; and Andrew Knox, Faithful Scribe, of the Gilbert Faustina Assembly #13 of the Fourth Degree Knights of Peter Claver and Sir Knight Gregory Warner, Sr., the Western States District Deputy for the Knights of Peter Claver, Incorporated.
Retired Pastor JoAnn Sanders of Faithful Central Bible Church inspired the attendees with a testimony of her personal journey with domestic violence. Gracious Lady Renita Lloyd-Smith, the Western States District Deputy for the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Peter Claver, served as mistress of ceremonies and led all through a beautiful program including a poem offering reflections on the cycle of domestic violence.
All attendees took a solemn pledge to not remain silent when they witness domestic violence and then received a commemorative pin to wear indicating they are a ‘Crusader Against Domestic Violence.’
The program included a silent auction, hat contest, and a presentation of a $3,000 check to Ms. Francine Martin, director of Educational Outreach for the Good Shepherd Shelter for Battered Women with Children.
Gracious Lady Micaela Le Blanc, Faithful Navigator of Chapter #13, said, “Because the Good Shepherd Shelter does not receive support from any local, state, or federal government entities, the private funds received from organizations and similar type events serve a vital role in supporting the services they provide to the 15 families (women with children) the Shelter houses annually.”
Gracious Lady Le Blanc encouraged everyone to visit the Shelter’s website at goodshepherdshelter.org/ and to attend the next fundraiser scheduled for August 20, 2016.
