Local ‘Gala’ raises funds, child abuse awareness

It was a red carpet event at the 2009 Norma’s House Gala, last Saturday night.  Dinner was served inside a large white tent lit with thousands of sparkling, white lights in the center of downtown Gonzales.
Norma’s House (The Gonzales Regional Children’s Advocacy Center) is one of 61 child advocacy centers in the state of Texas.  Norma’s House helps children who are victims of abuse or neglect by offering a safe, child-friendly environment where children can speak about their abuse.
In addition, children and their non-offending family members receive counseling services that help the children back on the road to a healthy and restored life.
State Rep. Edmund Kuempel spoke to the crowd, “You can’t imagine what a good thing you are doing as a group,” said Kuempel.  “This (child abuse) is the most hideous of crimes but because of people like yourself you are making a difference.”
Kuempel cited statistics of child abuse in Texas, and listed the local organizations involved in Norma’s House.
“Sharing love with an unloved child can make all the difference in the world.
“Don’t ask someone else to do what you should do for yourself.  This is such a worthwhile cause, we are very fortunate because we can help the unfortunate.”
“Every child deserves the chance to live a healthy, loving life,” said Connie Kacir, Executive Board Member of Norma’s House. “Thank you for being here tonight and helping the children.”
Kacir presented Corporate Council Member Awards to several local businesses and community service organizations, and thanked Mike Longoria from ISF for providing personnel to set up the tent and lights.
“It’s an honor to work with the law enforcement agencies.  We want to honor them for all that they do - helping these children get the counseling they need.”
Kacir honored the partner agencies working with Norma’s House - the Waelder Police Department, Gonzales Community Health Center, the 25th District Attorney’s Office (Heather Hollub), Child Protective Services (Kim Richter), Hope of South Texas, Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office (Dennis Richter), Guadalupe Region Medical Center, the Nixon Police Department and the Gonzales Police Department.
Kacir thanked Carolyn Morrow for serving as Executive Director of Norma’s House in 2008, and thanked the Gonzales Anchor Club for serving the dinner meal.
Gala guests were invited to a live stage production of “High School Musical” at the Lynn Theater across the street.  The performers included several children from the Gonzales County area.  Proceeds from ticket sales of the performance, which ran for two weeks, were donated to Norma’s House.
Corporate Council Member Award recipients representing several local businesses and community service organizations: 25th District Attorney’s Office (DA Hether Hollub), Gonzales Healthcare Systems (Chuck Norris), Sage Capital Bank (Ross Hendershot), The Gonzales Inquirer (Greg Little), K.P. Cabinets (David Kacir), Christian Kids ($2,250 raised by children), Mr. and Mrs. Allen Fink, GVEC (Darren Schauer, Wells Fargo (Sara Schmidt), Gonzales Elks (Mr. Bowman), Soncrest Eggs (Bruce and Elaine Baker), Beta Sigma Phi (Mrs. Rivas), Texan Nursing and Rehab (Mr. Kuntchich), Randolph Brooks Fesderal Credit Union (branch manager), Gonzales Rotary Club (Fran Pratt and Nikki Maxwell) and Holmes Foods.