Steward Family Foundation Gathers Hundreds to Raise Thousands in Celebration of Motherhood
By Grayling Holmes / photos by Haven of Grace
May and June are months where we celebrate our origins, ours parents – May is for mothers – June is for fathers. At May’s MOMentous Luncheon all things MOM were celebrated at the annual fundraiser for The Haven of Grace. Haven is an organization dedicated to caring for and building up some of the most vulnerable mothers in our area, the homeless.
This year, The Steward family brought the full force of its Steward Family Foundation to downtown’s Missouri Athletic Club. They and organizers gathered an army of supporters of motherhood 430 “soldiers” strong to rally together and raise a whopping $219,000 in just a matter of hours to help less fortunate mothers give birth to and nurture the future.
The Haven of Grace is a three-tier program consisting of a Maternity Center, Transitional Living Apartments, and 10-Year Aftercare program. The organization’s mission and to help break a cycle of generational poverty. The sold-out event, chaired by Bonnie Gipson and run by an outstanding committee, was a resounding success. The MOMentous Luncheon gave a critical annual financial boost to the many thousands of dollars needed to run The Haven’s program throughout the year.
One hundred percent of the Haven’s Board of Directors supported this event, which was emceed by KMOV-TV’s weeknight anchor Samantha Jones. Prior to the program, guests enjoyed wine and MOMosas. Robert and Stacy Cockerham were recipients of the organization’s inaugural Outstanding Philanthropists award. After the invocation by The Reverend David Hodges of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, guests dined on a delicious meal before watching a special video presentation where two mothers talked about how The Haven of Grace has impacted their lives, followed by a lively Fund-the-Mission. Musical interludes were provided by Linda Joiner and Devon Cahill, backed by the First Call band.
Not only did the event celebrate motherhood, but its proceeds also help to ensure that mothers and their children have a safe, nurturing environment where they can thrive. The Haven of Grace is grateful to all its supporters for helping this life-changing organization meet its families where they are as they begin a new path to independence, stability, and success!
The Haven of Grace Celebration of Motherhood
Honorary Chairs Robert and Lesa Steward, with Jordan Steward, and Silvia and Morgan Steward.
Chair Bonnie Gipson. E.D., Patricia Bosman, Committe Member DanaTuckerRedwing
Linda Haley, Sarah Melinger, Dr. Eliza Sanders, Beth Jantz, Becky Moss, Todd Roth.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.-Gamma Omega Chapter members Vickie Edwards and Stacy Edwards.
Board Member Vince Mannino with his wife Patti Mannino.
A MOMentous Luncheon Chair Bonnie Gipson with Dr. Elinor Hancock, B. Marcell Williams and Gwen Key.
Chriss Hallerman, Jab Spathelf, and Claudia Wright.
A MOMentous Luncheon Committee Members Rita Winters Carpenter and Caren Vredenburgh.
D’Anne and Reuben Shelton.
Diane Stirling, Valerie Granger, and Regina Minor.
Dwayne Bosman and Sid Shurn.
Dwight and Cenia Bosman with Rosalee and Jesse Johnson.
Ellen Renner bidding!
June Brown and Joyce Price.
Lee Haynes and D’Anne Shelton.
Diane Stirling, Valerie Granger, and Regina Minor.
Molly Imming and Jason Posley of BJC.
Reuben Shelton and George Gipson.
Reuben Shelton, KMOV Samantha Jones, D'Anne Shelton.
Terri Bascom, Karrena Thomas, Chair Bonnie Gipson, and Lora Jones.
Board Member Vince Mannino and his wife Patti Mannino, Angie Zottarelle, Tracey Schwartz, John Dickshot, and Justin Schwartz.