Helping hands
The WomenShelter of Long Beach (WSLB) hosted a gala on Feb. 26 at the Pacific Gallery downtown with over 250 supporters in attendance, according to the organization. The event marked WSLB’s 40th anniversary of serving victims of domestic violence. The Walker Family received the Philanthropist Award. Steve Goodling, president and CEO of the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, presented the award to Henry and Erin Walker. Sheriff Jim McDonnell and wife Kathy McDonnell received the Protector Award for their work in Long Beach. Board member Dr. Carol Grabowski announced that with a donation received from the Cherese Mari Laulhere Foundation, WSLB had just purchased a home to be used as a new emergency shelter. The donation from the foundation will also cover renovating and furnishing the house to become a shelter that will be called Cherese’s Safe Home. After dinner, Chamber of Commerce president/CEO Randy Gordon took to the stage to appeal to the audience for support and to conduct a live auction, which, in addition to proceeds from a silent auction and sponsorships grossed more than $120,000 to support WSLB’s programs. “We are simply overwhelmed by the community’s generosity,” WSLB board chair Kristi Fischer said. “Proceeds from this night will help many women, children and men recover from terrible situations, as well as pay for education efforts to stop the cycle of domestic abuse.”
