The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center 's
From left to right: Wayne Zimmerman (Board President),
Melanie Hebert (Board member and Emcee), Terrance Osborne (local artist), Erika
Dupépé (Executive Director),
Dennis Woltering (Emcee)
The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center's 2nd
Annual Step Up for Children Gala was a huge success! We had a great turn-out and raised over
$40,000 for the JCAC. The funds raised
will support our mission of investigating, treating, and preventing child
victimization in Jefferson Parish.
The activities of the evening were led by our
energetic emcees, Melanie Hebert and Dennis Woltering, both news anchors from
WWL-TV. The Yat Pack kept the night
rolling with live entertainment featuring covers of Frank Sinatra, Michael
Buble, Billy Joel and much more.
Local news anchors were asked to decorate
step-stools to be sold at our live and silent auctions. The decorated
step-stools went hand-in-hand with the Gala's "Step Up for Children"
theme. Many anchors asked local artists
to decorate the stools on their behalf. Simon
Hardeveld painted a stool for Susan Roesgen (WGNO) in-line with his signature
style, and John Carambat crafted a stool into a steam-punk themed pig on behalf
of Angela Hill (WWL). Chet Pourciau
constructed a unique piece on behalf of Shelley Brown decked out with
crawfish and corncobs that embodied the Greater New Orleans spirit (WVUE).
Terrance Osborne painted a step-stool for Sally-Ann Roberts (WWL) to reflect
Sally-Ann's favorite Bible verse, Psalms 1:3:
"That person is like
a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose
leaf does not wither-- whatever they do prospers."
Sally-Ann Roberts with
Terrance Osborne. Terrance Osborne painted the stool on behalf of Sally-Ann and
it was sold at the 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala's live auction for
$8,000.
Over 25 items were put to bid at our silent
auction, which included signed sports memorabilia from the Saints, Hornets, and
LSU Tigers; gift baskets stocked with certificates to local sites and
restaurants; as well as beautiful art and jewelry.
Thanks to everyone who made the 2nd Annual
Step Up for Children Gala a success! We
hope you all join us next year!