Annual Catholic Woman's League luncheon raises funds for nonprofits, offers fun for participants

Friday, Sep. 29, 2017

SALT LAKE CITY — Women from throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City will gather once again for what for some has become a tradition: the annual Catholic Woman’s League Benefit Luncheon and Fashion Show.

“It’s just a fun time,” said Linda Burt, the organization’s vice president/president elect. “It’s a fun, social gathering. You get to see fun fashion, and the gifts are outstanding. It’s been a tradition for a lot of women. They look forward to it.”

Fashions for the show this year will be Amy Boutique of Holladay; models will be CWL members.

The event also serves to raise funds for local nonprofits. Different beneficiaries are chosen each year; this year, St. Marguerite School and the Volunteers of America will be the recipients of the funds raised at the luncheon.

While any nonprofit in Utah may apply for the funds, Burt said the CWL board, which selects the recipients from among the applicants, tends to gravitate toward Catholic organizations or those that serve women or children. The funds given to the beneficiaries are raised at the luncheon through the opportunity drawings.

St. Marguerite School will use the funds donated by the CWL to construct a roof for an outdoor classroom. The only Catholic school in Tooele County, St. Marguerite began as a preschool 30 years ago. It has gradually added grades; its first eighth-grade class graduated in 2012. To supplement the core curriculum, the school has added programs such as art classes and a band. 

A year ago, school officials depended on community donations of funds, supplies and labor to renovate the playground. The new playground equipment has been installed, but “what remains to be done are the finishing touches of landscaping (grass and trees) and shade for the comfort and safety of students, especially a roof for our outdoor classroom,” said Principal Lorena Needham. “Taking a new Catholic school from start to full operation is a huge undertaking in faith, hard work, and funding. The faith of the people across all of Utah in supporting our endeavors here at Saint Marguerite gives us the encouragement we need to persevere. We pray the funds raised by the Catholic Women’s League will be just what we need to help bring our playground project its finishing touches. 

Among the Volunteers of America facilities in Salt Lake City is the Youth Resource Center, which serves homeless youth ages 15 to 22. The center helps an average of 800 youth per year with food, clothes, shelter, education, employment and housing, according to the application to the CWL. 

Funds from the benefit would support the operation of the VOA’s 30-bed overnight emergency shelter for homeless youth, helping to provide for staffing and supplies such as linens, toiletries and utilities.

WHAT: CWL Benefit Luncheon

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 14 beginning with a social hour at 11 a.m. 

WHERE: Little America Hotel, 500 S. Main St., SLC. 

TICKETS: $38

Tickets must be purchased in advance. Mail reservations with payment and seating requests by Oct. 6 to Jenny Maffuccio, 377 East 12th Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84103. 

To donate cash, or new and unused items or services for the opportunity drawings, contact Linda Burt, 435-649-9812.