SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP – The women of Ashtabula County are negatively impacted by any number of factors they face on a daily basis.
The Zonta Club of Ashtabula shined a spotlight on women while raising money to support future generations through the Celebrating Women Champagne Luncheon at Norman D Banquet Center on Saturday, April 18.
“I think it’s critical that we focus on women,” Zonta Club President Ann Pean said. “There’s a lot going on in our community that impacts women, like domestic violence. There’s also human trafficking in our area. I think when we can come together and raise awareness and have people understand the importance of banding together, working together, we should.”
The 18th annual luncheon brought women together to raise money to support young women striving for success.
“The proceeds go toward our scholarships,” Pean said. “We give scholarships to young women from Ashtabula who are in college, and also one scholarship to a high-school senior who’s going on to school, and it also helps us support our other projects that we have in the area, and our support for Homesafe, Beatitude House and the Rape Crisis Center.”
“It’s a great gathering,” Pean said. “Some people have been here since the first one. It’s a great way to bring community together, get our message out and raise some money.”
The luncheon included a Chinese auction and grand prizes. The club hoped to raise $5,000 through the event.
“All of the baskets have been donated,” Pean said. “Businesses have been very generous. Our theme is a picnic in the park. Every table has a little basket with wine and glasses and little things you’d have on a picnic and somebody at each table will win one of those.”
Nearly 40 baskets were donated for the Chinese auction.
“To have the community support us like that is really tremendous,” Pean said. “All of the wines at each of the tables has been donated by local wineries, so they’ve really gotten behind it.”
Pean expected approximately 170 people to attend the event.
“It’s wonderful,” Pean said. “We really are so thankful. It always astounds us. People come in, they buy tables, and they bring their friends, so it’s really a nice event.”
Seventeen vendors also attended the event.
“It’s all about raising money to give back, for various scholarships for high school- and college-aged women,” Zonta Club of Ashtabula Vice President Cheryl Licate said.
Pean was grateful for the support of the community both through attendance and donations.
“I just want to thank the community at-large and also our local businesses for all that they’ve done,” Pean said. “A lot of them have really provided a lot of support for us. And every year, when we come out to talk to them, they’re like, ‘Of course!’ It’s a worthwhile project for them, and they’re always pleased to help us.”
