Bridge Communities to Honor Hinsdale Junior Woman's Club at 6th Annual Spring Luncheon

On April 22, Bridge Communities is delighted to hold its 6th Annual Spring Luncheon, “Celebrating Women, Transforming Lives,” to recognize DuPage women’s commitment to the community. Their incredible gifts of time, talents and treasure will be recognized, as well as their efforts to make our communities a better place for homeless families. The luncheon, held at the beautiful Danada House in Wheaton, will honor women with ties to DuPage County, and thank them for their philanthropy.

Bridge Communities is proud to award Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club with the Transforming Lives Award for their dedication to the empowerment of women and children in our community. Each year HJWC raises critical funds and provides hundreds of volunteer service hours to improve the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors. Founded in 1949, HJWC has raised more than $2.7 million dollars, all directly funneled back into our local communities. HJWC has brought joy to Bridge families through their volunteerism and kindness. Bridge is proud to create the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club Education Endowment Fund, founded through the generosity of HJWC, which will provide counseling, scholarships, tutoring, and an avenue out of homelessness to hundreds of children for years to come.

Lisa McNeeley came to Bridge Communities in desperate need of housing for her and her two young children. At the time she arrived, Lisa could not support her son and daughter, ages 14 and 10, while working a part-time minimum wage job and attending school full-time to pursue a career in occupational therapy. Now, after successfully graduating and becoming an occupational therapy assistant, she is following her dream of assisting children with disabilities full time, and is now a proud homeowner. Lisa uses her voice and experience with Bridge Communities to inspire hope in others, and Bridge is incredibly proud of Lisa's accomplishments and delighted to award her the Life Transformed Award.

The event will be emceed by Emmy-winning journalist Judy Hsu. An integral part of the ABC 7 news team since 2001, Judy is the co-anchor of ABC 7 Eyewitness News This Morning, at the #1 news station in Chicago. In addition to her anchor responsibilities, Judy hosts a parenting segment on the morning show called "For Your Family." Judy hosted the Sleep Out Saturday rally for Bridge Communities last November, and looks forward to welcoming supporters of Bridge again at the luncheon. Judy resides in the western suburbs with her husband and four children.

The featured speaker at the luncheon will be author Sally P. Miller. Writer, teacher, and sought-after speaker, she also serves as a hospital chaplain in the western suburbs. Her most recent book, Divine Love: Women Who Have It & How You Can Get It is a collection based on biblical, historic and contemporary women. Sally brings her heartfelt message of friendship to the luncheon, and shares how women can empower one another.

Tickets are $50 per person or $500 per table of 10, and may be purchased at www.bridgecommunities.org. Additionally, select sponsorship opportunities still remain for the event. To learn more about sponsoring, ask questions about the luncheon, or include an advertisement in the luncheon booklet, please contact Chad Pedigo at (630) 545-0610, ext. 19 or chad.pedigo@bridgecommunities.org.

Bridge Communities is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide housing, mentoring and supportive services to homeless families in DuPage County. Bridge Communities’ vision is a community where all families have safe, sustainable and affordable housing and life-long self-sufficiency. In the past 28 years, Bridge Communities has helped over 700 families cross the bridge from homelessness to hope and self-sufficiency. For more information, please visit www.bridgecommunities.org.