Florence Crittenton is Tickled Pink - over $126,000 raised!
Last Saturday night the Florence Crittenton Home hosted their annual Paint the Town Pink gala dinner at the Great Northern Hotel. Over 350 people attended the 5th annual fundraiser and wereentertained in a spectacular setting illuminating the theme ‘Fire and Ice’. There was gourmet food, incredible auction items and dancing to music by the Carousel band.
One of the Homes current residents told the incredible story of the birth of her daughter 2 weeks ago and her choice to make a loving adoption plan. Lisa said, “On the 17th of January my daughter Clancey was born. Her adoptive mother, Bonnie was there to see her born. I wanted her to share the memory of the birth of her daughter. On the 19th of January I had signed the adoption papers for Clancey. The adoption is very open but it still hurts. Each day I live with my choice and I know in my heart and soul that it was for the best and even though I can’t be with her 24/7, I have given her the life I wanted her to have. Florence Crittenton has helped with it all along by giving me a shoulder to cry on, by being an ear to listen to my choices and wants and always saying they loved me no matter what was to happen. I couldn’t possibly have survived out there on my own if it weren’t for coming to Florence Crittenton. ‘Lisa moved many to tears and received a standing ovation.
Another of the girls from the home Clarissa had her daughter on August 8th 2006 said, “Being sent to Florence Crittenton saved and changed my life forever. You helped me become a better parent and my daughter will have you to thank in the future. You helped me learn there are people out there than I could trust that really want to help me.
Since I left Florence Crittenton I’ve been attending college. If I had never lived at the home and got the help that I did I probably would never have been able to ask for help getting a scholarship. I have also learned to think more about the future so I can make plans.”
The event was the best ever Pink since its inception 5 years ago and raised over $126,000 towards the operating expenses of the home.
“We are thrilled! The event exceeded our expectations and will help provide much needed essentials for the girls and babies at Florence Crittenton”. – Barb Burton, Executive Director.
Paint the Town Pink is the Florence Crittenton Home’s largest annual fundraising event and is made possible thanks to top corporate sponsors, Blue Cross Blue Shield and APS Healthcare and our other leading sponsors KXLH TV, NorthWestern Energy, and Beartooth NBC.
This years spectacular raffle prize, a trip for 4 to Carmel in California was won by Doug Parker, Missoula, MT.
Next years Pink is scheduled for January 2008!
“Florence Crittenton provides at-risk pregnant and parenting young women and their children with an opportunity for change and renewed hope,” Said Barbara Burton, Executive Director. “By offering support and therapy to young mothers, we can help them form secure, healthy attachments to make a solid bond with their babies or a well thought out adoption plan. It is our intention to reduce the cycle of abuse, neglect and poverty passed on from generation to generation. We are so appreciative of the support of the community during PINK.”