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Community Corner

Girls Night Out Event Benefits Children's Advocacy Group

A Farmington Hills business provides the decor for this Dearborn event.

Optimism mixes with elegance on Sept. 22 when hosts the 7th annual Hopes & Dreams: A Girls’ Night Out. The evening benefits Child’s Hope, a central voice to prevent abuse and neglect of children in Wayne County.

As its largest activity, Hopes & Dreams raises close to $70,000 annually.

Hosted by broadcast and business icon Anne Doyle, the 2011 event features a Neiman Marcus fashion show and upscale artisans’ boutique. Guests will savor gourmet hors d’oeuvres with paired wines while browsing handmade jewelry, hand-blown glass and more objets d’art from local designers. A specially prepared meal, music and raffle will follow.

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Decorations Committee Chair Sue Goldsmith, a West Bloomfield floral designer, has some additional surprises in store for attendees.

Goldsmith also designs for the family-owned , a 40-year business in Farmington Hills, that is making its event debut this year. She plans to continue the Girls’ Night Out sunflowers theme with some imaginative table décor that can also be purchased afterward.

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“We are going with a rustic theme, adding woodsy topiaries to the centerpieces, as well as will have baskets with the sunflowers theme,” Goldsmith said. “These will be useful for years to come, as buyers can add their own holiday or theme touches to them and rearrange them for various events and activities in their homes.”

This year, the event honors its founder, Mary Kosch, of Dearborn. She began the fundraiser in 2005 as part of a commitment to child literacy and teaching self-worth through empowerment to at-risk kids. Kosch, 51, owns Dearborn Sausage Company with her husband, Don Kosch.

“This night is a way to the women’s hearts, and we can see the fruits of our labor right here in our own backyards,” Kosch said. “It originated when the president of Child’s Hope at that time, Gail Bagale, approached me to share her passion to help with this cause. So over lunch one day, we came up with the original Girls’ Night Out formula. We tried to design a way for busy women with families to take time out long enough for a night, and this is also for a good cause, learning about Child’s Hope. Now they see it as a way to get together with friends, help the cause, and have fun – all at the same time.”

Child’s Hope creates programs and collaborations to unite families and caregivers in the fight against damaging cycles that victimize kids. Through the early-education programs of IMPACT, Child's Hope mentors at-risk preschool and kindergarten children, using a one-on-one approach for school readiness and growth. The organization is sponsored by the University of Dearborn-Dearborn, Children’s Trust Fund, PNC Bank, and AmeriCorps.

Belleville fiber artist Michele Montour will be participating for the fifth time this year, and has plans to continue indefinitely. She creates fabric fashions culled from silk and fine wools, as well as distinctive statement jewelry, and loves the fun-filled environment Girls’ Night Out provides.

“I look at this as a win/win,” Montour said. “Child’s Hope does great work and is a good organization. It is well managed, and people are so happy then they are shopping at this event. Even the vendors are happy to take part, and we also donate a percentage of our profit. So, it’s my way of contributing on more than one level.”

September’s event offers tickets for Patrons and Founding Friends, and sponsorships are still available.

For more information, call Child's Hope at 313-583-6401 or go to childshope.org.

 

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