Make A Difference event is “un grande” success,
raises more than $110,000
March 6, 2006

AUSTIN - There truly was something to celebrate last Saturday when 350 guests raised more than $110,000 to make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected girls. The “Celebramos Nueva Vida” gala, held at the beautiful Barton Creek Resort and Spa, benefited New Life Children’s Center at Canyon Lake, one of four Texas children’s centers operated by Lutheran Social Services.

The fiesta-themed event featured a live concert by Grammy Award winner Rick Trevino, who also gave a special performance to New Life girls on Valentine’s Day.

Special guest Shayla, former New Life resident, inspired guests when she talked about her past experiences at New Life and her aspirations for the future. She brought tears to the eyes of many guests when she read her poem, “The Great Recovery,” which she dedicated to New Life for helping her overcome many obstacles in her past.

Shayla’s speech also inspired the most successful live auction to date. Bidders competed for a trip anywhere in the United States on American Airlines, an Austin “Night on the Town” and Austinite Bunny Oliver’s original painting, “Lean On Me.” Auctioneers Ogla Campos of KVUE-TV Kevin Benz of News 8 Austin encouraged Longhorns and Aggies to outbid each other when they showcased autographed footballs from legends such as Mack Brown, Vince Young, Darrell Royal, Joe Boyd, John Kimbrough and John David Crow. In total, the live auction raised $19,400 for New Life, a new record for Make A Difference.

Guests celebrated the successful night by dancing during Rick Trevino’s concert. They left knowing that they had made a difference in the lives of grateful girls.

The event was also a great success because of generous sponsors. Gold sponsors included Community Counselling Service, A.J and Claudette High, Harold and Wanda Jungman, LEBCO Graphics, LCMS Texas District President Jim & Jean Lindermann, Hal and Betty Meyer (Jack Mountain Ranch), Bunny and Jim Oliver, Bill and Lois Rankin and Charles Wendlandt. Silver sponsors included Jack W. Arlitt, Chisholm Trail Group of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Dillon and Yudell LLP, Carl and Dolores Doering, James and Penny Draeger, Gerald and Nancy Kurio, Diane Holland, Roy and Delores Knippa, Max and Marge Kretschmar, Leon and Janette Peterson, Dr. Hubert and Berta Menn, Joel and Laurel Reed, Dr. Kurt and Laurie Senske, Sam and Jo Ann Sipes and Triact Associates, Inc. Bronze sponsors included Austin American-Statesman, Concordia University at Austin, Embree Group, Inc., Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest and Al and Caryl Reese.

New Life serves girls ages 11 to 17 who suffer from severe emotional and behavioral problems, mostly as a result of past abuse and neglect. New Life provides specialized care in a secure, structured environment where residents can receive therapy, attend school, enjoy recreational activities and are offered voluntary spiritual care.

Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc., is the social service arm of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. LSS annually serves nearly 30,000 children, elderly and poor in Texas and Louisiana regardless of religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender or age. Its ministry includes children’s centers, therapeutic foster care, adoption, adult day care, health care and retirement centers, emergency assistance and disaster response.