With 14 honorees, four who are already “Hall of Fame Activists,” St. Elizabeth’s Guild & Dillard’s had a lot to celebrate at its 38th Annual Volunteer Activist Awards Luncheon on October 7 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.
The St. Elizabeth Guild donated the funds from this event to fund special projects of selected children’s programs of Catholic Charities: Independent Living Skills Program, St. John the Baptist Community Center and Padua Pediatrics.
The evening began with Sarah Leigh Sprat singing the national anthem. Gordo Wadge, the President of Catholic Charities, gave an introduction to the program. Father Anthony McGinn, S.J. gave the invocation. Margaret Dubuisson Blitch was the mistress of ceremonies. The luncheon was planned and implemented by the help of three women: Luncheon Chairman (Guild Vice-President) Kathi Zimmerman, Luncheon Co-Chairman Cindy Wooderson and Honorary Chairman (Guild President-Elect) Suzette Herpich.
The honorees include: Lisa Baynham, Jacquee Carvin, Lorraine Cucchiara, Virginia Cullens, Carolyn D’Antonio, Elsie Manos, Bonnie Nelson, Barbara Songy, Polly Thomas and Denise Williams. The four “Hall of Fame Activists” include: Mary de La Barre, Anne McDonald Milling, Frank B. Stewart Jr. and Mary Ann Valentino.
The evening continued with a fashion show sponsored by Dillard’s. The luncheon’s menu consisted of a spinach salad, pecan encrusted breast of chicken with meuniere, Roquefort scalloped potatoes, French Market vegetable medley, hazelnut daquise lemon bar and chocolate flourless cake. Beverages included: freshly brewed Columbian coffee, herbal teas, iced tea and red or white wine.
There was an auction and a Parade of Prizes with over 120 items. Some items that were auctioned off were original artwork, hotel stays and restaurant gift certificates. There was also a lighted pin raffle with two trips to a destination of one’s choice.
