Read Across America 2013

Each year, First Lady Dianne Bentley participates in Read Across America celebrations in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday. This year she celebrated with several schools and felt very welcome at each stop. It is always encouraging to meet students with such a passion for reading.

Thank you to all of the schools who invited her to visit this year!

Greenville Elementary

Wilson Elementary

Garrett Elementary

Hooper Academy

Making Homes Safe Havens 2013

            Montgomery-- Advocates for the Family Sunshine Center (FSC) gathered at the Governor’s Mansion today to kick-off the 8^th annual Making Home Safe Havens fundraiser, which brings in resources that are vital to sustaining the agency’s mission to bring shelter, counseling, hope and healing to victims of family violence and sexual assault. 

            Committee members took this time to announce that Alabama’s First Lady Dianne Bentley will serve as honorary chairperson of the event and FSC Board Member Shavon Charlot, an architect with Sherlock, Smith and Adams, is serving as chairperson.

            Making Homes Safe Havens is not a single event, but a series of parties hosted by friends of the Family Sunshine Center.  Parties are held in their homes, places of business, worship communities or other venues.  In the past, parties have included showings of jewelry and art where all or part of the proceeds from sales were given to the FSC, bunko and bridge parties, pancake breakfasts, cocktail parties, church circle gatherings and more.

            This year, the FSC board and staff, together with Making Homes Safe Havens Committee members, are please to roll out a new component for the 2013 party season.  Architects, interior designers and others are being invited to submit a design for the perfect birdhouse, or safe haven, in a competition devised to get those who might not ordinarily learn of the FSC mission involved.  “comment by Shavon.

            “We are very excited about Making Homes Safe Havens 2013 and most grateful to our incredible first lady for agreeing to serve as honorary chairperson.  We cannot thank Mrs. Bentley enough for taking on the cause of domestic violence and working so hard to assist our agency and others throughout the state to maintain much needed victims’ services,” said Karen Sellers.

       
            First Lady Dianne Bentley added, "it is my honor to serve as the honorary chairperson for Making Homes Safe Havens 2013. As an advocate for victims of domestic abuse, I feel that it is important to raise awareness in our state and support in our communities so that we can put an end to this violence. I am thankful for places like the One Place Family Justice Center and the Family Sunshine Center for all that they do throughout the year."