Yellow and black will swarm the Abilene Civic Center on Thursday for The Alliance for Women and Children’s “Dream to Bee” luncheon. The Alliance, one of Abilene’s oldest women’s organizations, will host the annual luncheon as a fundraiser to raise money for its activities and programs.
“We are a wonderful organization that exists to empower women and children,” Susan Robinson, President of the Board of Directors for the Alliance said.
This year’s luncheon will feature internationally known motivational speaker, Mamie McCullough, Ph.D. . McCullough, also known as the “I Can” lady, worked with Christian author and speaker Zig Ziglar as an educational director for ten years before creating her own company, Mamie McCullough and Associates, in 1989.
“Mamie McCullough is a hoot,” Robinson said, “She has local ties; she actually went to Howard Payne University in Brownwood.”
The luncheon is usually titled, “Empowering Women with Tools to Dream”, but with McCullough’s visit, the theme was changed to “Dream to Bee”.
“The bumblebee is one of Mamie’s symbols, so we decided to incorporate that with our dream theme,” Robinson said.
McCullough says that the bumblebee inspires her because its ability to fly. Ergonomically, the insect’s body shape and size should inhibit flight. The bumblebee is unaware of this, and flies anyway.
Attendees are encouraged to wear yellow and black to go along with the new theme.
The organization expects around 400 women to gather for the event. One woman planning to attend is Myra Dean, Development Director for KACU Abilene Public Radio.
“I would like to support the underprivileged women and children. Alliance serves a real niche in our community by helping the underprivileged.” Dean said.
Besides the annual luncheon, the Alliance for Women and Children offers other ways for the women of Abilene to get involved. The organization is currently selling A-cards, discount cards that save shoppers 20% at participating Abilene retailers on Oct. 22 through Oct. 31.
The money raised through donations and fundraisers is used to support the Alliance’s services and programs. Some of the services offered include providing after school childcare, self-esteem programs for middle school girls, breast and cervical cancer screenings to medically under served women and health education to all citizens of Abilene and the surrounding areas.
Another way people can support this organization is through donating their spare time.
“We are always looking for great people to serve with us. For example, we have an self-esteem group for middle-schoolers,” Robinson said, “We also have an after-school program that a number of college students are volunteering in.”
Those interested in donating or getting involved with the Alliance for Women and Children can contact their office at (325) 677-5321. A-cards are $40 and can be purchased at www.allianceforwomenandchildren.org.
