Whitney Evans chosen as WillMar Center’s Guardian honoree

WillMar Center for Bereaved Children honors Whitney Evans as its 2007 Guardian Award recipient at its annual Guardians’ Gala event. The seven-year anniversary event will be held at The Lodge at Sonoma on Saturday, October 13 beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction and reception followed by a dinner, entertainment, and program at 7:00 p.m.
Evans is the third Guardian chosen for this award, preceded by Thornton & Joy Jenkins last year and William R. Hearst III in 2005, the first year the award was given. “Whitney spearheaded the Guardian program at WillMar,” explained the organization’s Founder and Training Director, Nina Gorbach, as to why he was chosen to receive the award. “Not only did Whitney conceive of the program as a way to provide sustainable funding for our center, he has been a trusted, dedicated, and selfless advisor to WillMar Center. Since its inception in 2000, Whitney has understood our mission to support grieving children and families and has played a vital role in our development, bringing joy to hundreds of people.” Gorbach went on to say.
A WillMar Guardian makes a financial commitment of $1200, the cost of caring for one child or teen for one year.
The 2007 Guardians’ Gala is open to the public and will once again be hosted by Greg Sherwood from KQED and will feature the premiere of WillMar Center’s new DVD along with a special tribute to Evans. Tim Boeve, the recently named Executive Director of WillMar Center, will also be introduced to the attendees.
Cost for the evening’s festivities is $150 per person or $1500 for a table of 10. Reservations can me made by calling 935.1946 or visiting the Center at 579 First Street West. WillMar Center provides a safe, healing environment for children and teens grieving the loss of a loved one or living with a loved one with life-changing illness. To learn more about WillMar visit the website at www.willmarcenter.org or call 935.1946.