Candice Stewart-Fife and Karen Olson
One person can make a difference. Family Promise took those words to heart at our annual Fall Fling fundraiser on November 4 at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, New Jersey. The event, honoring Family Promise Founder Karen Olson, raised nearly $350,000– our most successful fundraiser to date.
Angela and Jeffrey Schroeder open the bidding.
The evening’s program centered on the Power of One; how one truly committed person can make a difference in the lives of others. The Olson family offered a heart-warming tribute to Karen and the 172 attendees also heard from Candice Stewart-Fife, a former guest in Union County who now directs one of Family Promise’s newest Affiliates in Bryan County, GA.
The Initiative Auction portion of the evening launched the Power of One campaign, aimed to create eight new Affiliates and serve an additional 1,000 children every year, above and beyond those we presently serve. The Initiative raised more than $188,000—the highest amount in the event’s twelve-year history. While this is a phenomenal success, unfortunately, the need for services nationwide continues to grow, while government and foundation funding reductions persist.
Summit Councilman Richard Sun and Hometowne Television’s Fred Honald.
“Fall Fling was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about our organization, spend time with fellow supporters, and welcome new friends,” said Family Promise board Vice Chair Angela Schroeder. “We hope to strengthen this kind of outreach in 2017. Karen Olson’s legacy is an inspiration to us all. Every person can make a difference in the lives of homeless children and their families.”
Woodforest National Bank, Johnston Asset Management, Cynthia and Peter Kellogg, Celgene, PSE&G and Investors Bank sponsored this year’s Fall Fling. Fall Fling Steering Committee members Stef Faris, Regina Feeney, Kim Kaplan, Heidi Morton, Shelley Olson, Sara Reeder, Stacey Slater Sacks, Margot Tobias, Claire Toth and Mary Weger joined students from the Summit High School Family Promise Club to welcome guests.
