$50K raised at Columbus Christian Women’s Organization

RO Manor was the site of this year’s CCWO fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 21. Over 200 gathered at the beautiful new event center located just east of Columbus on Schultz Road for food, auctions, and table viewing.

Decorations were over the top with Robyn Adams and Doreen Vail working their usual magic for the Alice’s Wonderland theme. And, as a new drawing card, those who bought tables of eight for the event, did their own tablescapes which resulted in an exotic environment for the gala. Potters Western Wear, Southern Flair on the Square, Navidad Trading Co., and The Girls Store at Heinsohns provided shopping and a style show.

Live and silent auctions raised about $50,000. Vance Elliott served as auctioneer and did a great job exciting the buyers. The event was underwritten by R O Manor, the Lynch Family Charitable Trust and the Colletta & Don McMillian Foundation. The list of donors was huge and contributed greatly to the success of the auctions. Mary Kay Heffley won the bid for the exclusive lodging in London that was added to just before bidding by Mia Sprague who added a cocktail reception on a private houseboat on the Thames.

The event’s huge success will pave the way for grants to be made to local community providers.

The Columbus Christian Women’s Organization donates to each year. 2023-24 grant recipients included Columbus Food Pantry, Youth & Family Services, Boys & Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, The Wellness Council and its county mental health deputy, Turtle Wing Foundation, The Columbus Hospital, CHPT (opera house renovation), The Gabriel Project, Columbus Education Foundation and more.

The group also uses the funds for CCWO inhouse projects which include the annual seminar “Credit for Life”) for high school seniors; provisioning of the Columbus Elementary School “clothes closet”, Senior Smiles Program (monthly visits to three rest homes in Columbus); National Day of Prayer promotion and others.

CCWO welcomes new members, and its membership includes those from Alleyton, Altair, Cat Spring, Columbus, Eagle Lake, Frelsburg, Fayetteville, Glidden, New Ulm, Sheridan, and Weimar. Monthly luncheon meetings are held at 11:30 on the first Thursday of each month at Glidden Baptist Church Annex. Different Church groups rotate to hostess each meeting.