Mary’s Home Breaks Records at 15th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon
Stuart, Fla. – For 15 years, the Mary’s Home Fashion Show & Luncheon has been known for dazzling fashion, good food, a lively silent auction and basket raffle filled with themed baskets, and inspiring real-life stories.
This year, with a sold-out crowd of 300 guests, Mary’s Home added one more distinction to the list: a record-breaking amount of funds raised.
“We’re amazed and grateful,” said Mary’s Home Executive Director Alean Timm. “Our committee always ensures that we have an outstanding event, full of delight and joy, but this year’s luncheon reached a new high. An astounding $189,000 was raised to support our mission.” That impressive total represents a significant increase from last year’s $150,000.
The annual event brings together supporters of the nonprofit, faith-based transitional maternity home that “Saves Lives Two at a Time.” Located in Stuart, Mary’s Home is open to women who are 18 years or older and are either pregnant or have an infant under four months old and are experiencing homelessness. Mary’s Home provides the support and guidance these women need to become self-sufficient and make good choices for themselves and their children.
The event, held on February 23 at Willoughby Golf Club, featured powerful stories from three remarkable women whose lives have been transformed by Mary’s Home:
Anastasia was filled with uncertainty and fear before the birth of her daughter. “Mary’s Home gave me a safe place to stay while preparing for my daughter’s birth. It gave me something more powerful: hope. From the moment I walked through those doors, I was treated like someone who mattered. Like a mother whose future — and whose baby’s future — was worth investing in.”
Jetia came to Mary’s Home as a single mom after leaving an emotionally abusive relationship. “I found a community of people who believed in me at a time when my own belief in myself was fragile. Mary’s Home provided a safe environment where I could raise my baby while slowly rebuilding my life piece by piece. During my time here, I have accomplished things that once felt out of reach.”
Erica described how she arrived at Mary’s Home after calling six different maternity homes in search of help. When Mary’s Home accepted her, staff arranged transportation, welcomed her with a safe place to live, and supported her through the birth of her son. “Mary’s Home gave me the chance to start over,” Erica said. “While I was there, I took English classes, found a job, and saved enough to move into my own apartment. Four days after I moved in, I was able to bring my daughters home. None of that would have been possible without Mary’s Home.”
In addition to ticket sales, sponsorships, and auction items, the event also featured a Call to the Heart. “Two of our current residents were pregnant and living behind Kohl’s in Jensen Beach before they came to Mary’s Home,” Timm shared with the guests. “This is the reality in our own community. Please help us be ready for the next woman who reaches out — the one who may be sleeping in her car… or on the street… wondering where she will go.” In response, attendees donated more than $73,000, another record-setting amount.
Mary’s Home volunteer Cheryl Lampard, a long-time volunteer and financial supporter of Mary’s Home, was honored with the very first “Mary’s Queen of Hearts” award during the luncheon for her extraordinary efforts on behalf of the organization and its work in the community.
Lynda Hartley-Urban coordinated the event’s signature fashion show, and Mary’s Home Operations and Event Manager Kim Gaudet served as Committee Chair. Gina Thompson, Board President, thanked the committee and many sponsors of the event but called out two Premier Sponsors – Dadko Wealth Management and Riverview Cosmetic Dentistry and Implant Dentistry in particular.
Mike Dadko’s daughters, Sarina and Marissa, spoke eloquently about why Dadko Wealth Management continues to support Mary’s Home year after year. Anastasia, a former resident of Mary’s Home, a graduate of its Women-In-Transition Program, and now an employee of Riverview Dentistry, gave her first-hand, heartfelt testimonial of how important Mary’s Home has been in her life and why Riverview is proud to be a premier sponsor.
“These generous businesses have supported Mary’s Home and our mission for many years in countless ways,” Thompson said, “and we encourage the entire community to support them in return.”
To find out more about Mary’s Home and see photos from the event, visit www.maryshome.org, its Facebook page, or Instagram.
About Mary’s Home
Mary’s Home is a faith-based transitional maternity home that provides residential and non-residential programs for pregnant women who lack suitable housing or favorable family relationships. Mary’s Home provides a pathway leading women to a life of self-sufficiency and dignity for themselves and their babies. The goal is to break the cycle of poverty for themselves, their babies, and generations to follow. To learn more, follow Mary’s Home on Facebook or Instagram.