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July 4, 2008
Giving useful supplies
JWI-BC Rainbow Lunch focuses on WISH centre.
SARA CIACCI
The welfare of children, women and families was at the forefront of the sold-out 18th annual Jewish Women International-British Columbia (JWI-BC) Rainbow Lunch. Both luncheon honorees, Sally Rogow and Melanie Samuels, spoke eloquently of different aspects of their work on behalf of children and the community. They also spoke of the need for organizations like JWI-BC, whose volunteers work to better the lives of those in the community who find it increasingly difficult to cope with the many problems facing them in today's economically challenging society.
The annual Rainbow Lunch, which took place this year on June 8 at the Richmond Country Club, was chaired by Evelyn Goldman and Myra Michaelson. It included a musical interlude by Steamship, a local Jewish teen jazz group.
Keynote speaker Kate Gibson, executive director of the WISH Drop-in Centre, presented information and an update on the organization. "WISH," she said, "provides a nurturing and non-judgmental environment for female sex trade workers, by offering hot meals, shower facilities, clothing, make-up and hygiene items. The women can access on-site nursing care, literacy programs and referrals to detoxification centres, rehabilitation centres and shelters."
Gibson expressed appreciation for a large donation of bed and bath supplies collected on their behalf by JWI-BC, as well as JWI-BC's ongoing donations of feminine products. JWI-BC is currently collecting used or new sunglasses for WISH.
Proceeds from the luncheon were designated to the Residential Treatment Centre for extremely emotionally disturbed seven- to 13-year-olds and to JWI-BC's Noah's Ark project, which supplies regulation infant car seats to nine major Lower Mainland hospitals for distribution to low-income or immigrant families.
For more information about JWI-BC, call 604-838-5567.
Sara Ciacci is a past president of Jewish Women International-British Columbia.
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