Friends of Christopher Guild Raises $42K for Center for Child Protection

Austin – The Friends of Christopher Guild, a women’s volunteer organization for the Center for Child Protection, raised approximately $42,000 to benefit the Center through their second annual PlayBingo Ladies Luncheon held October 29. All the money raised will assist victims of child abuse in Travis County.

Organized by Co-Chairs Vicki Landon and Gail Sanditen, PlayBingo was held at the Hilton Hotel Downtown and welcomed more than 430 ladies in their finest bingo playing attire for eight rounds of competitive bingo, fabulous prizes and a glittering silent auction. The silent auction featured a Jo Malone Gift Box, a romantic stay for two at the Four Seasons Hotel and fine jewelry from Russell Korman, among many others. Edith Royal, a Center for Child Protection founding board member and guild member, was recognized as the honorary host for her contributions and work with abused children.

“The Friends of Christopher Guild has placed a spotlight on the children who are often victimized by someone they dearly love,” said Sandra Martin, executive director of the Center for Child Protection. “By drawing attention to the problem of child abuse, we are spreading the word and generating resources to help these small ones receive care, justice and healing.”

KXAN News 36 Weathercaster Jim Spencer and News Anchor Michelle Valles kept the Bingo numbers rolling throughout the morning as ladies jubilantly shouted out “Bingo” to win prizes, such as gift certificates to Julian Gold and KickPleat.

The Friends of Christopher Guild was born out of the Austin community’s despair, frustration and outrage over the murder of two-year-old Christopher Wohlers in 1990. In memory of Christopher and approximately 2,000 new children who are confirmed victims of abuse in our community each year, the Guild continues their work to help child abuse victims.

The Friends of Christopher Guild thanks the following gold level sponsors and underwriters for their generous support: Bank of Oklahoma, Shannon Bennett, Leigh Fulkerson and Susan Wise, Marge and John Kelley, Marjann Kelley of Amelia Bullock Realtors, Vicki Landon and Vivian Kolenda, Lexus of Austin, Collette Phillip of Foothills Mortgage, PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, Marianne Rooney, Rebecca Rooney, Janice Ryan, Gail Sanditen, Naomi and Mark Tate, Deidre Vedder, Wilson Family Communities, Austin Subaru, CSI Printing, Hilton Austin, Hope Lumber, International Bank of Commerce and Ogden-Ragland Mortgage.

Friends of Christopher Guild

Founded in 1992, the Friends of Christopher Guild is a women’s volunteer organization committed to sustaining and expanding the safety net for abused children in Travis County through support of the Center for Child Protection. A diverse membership of Guild volunteers assist the Center through fundraising and direct service to children and families in need. To find out more or to join, contact the Center for Child Protection at 512-472-1164.

Center for Child Protection

The Center for Child Protection, an accredited child advocacy center, is the first stop for children entering the criminal justice system because of suspected sexual abuse, serious physical abuse and for children who have witnessed a violent crime. The Center is a child-friendly, specially-equipped facility where children and their caregivers go for evidence gathering, forensic medical exams, counseling and intervention during the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases. All services are provided free of charge. In 2004, the Center served more than 1,200 children.

The Center for Child Protection serves as the community representative to the Child Protection Team (CPT). The Child Protection Team is a public collaboration established in 1989 to more effectively and quickly coordinate the investigation and care for abused children and their families to reduce child re-victimization and promote healing. Other team members include the Travis County District Attorney's Office, Austin Police Department, Travis County Sheriff's Office, Austin Independent School District Police Department, all other law enforcement jurisdictions in Travis County, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and Children's Hospital of Austin.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.