Bonnes Meres auction "Fruitage" yields abundance of Fruit

(November 8, 2012)

Bonnes Meres Auxiliary's auction, "Fruitage" raised $70,000 for the Children's Fund of San Bernardino County benefiting at-risk children in the community.

Nana Allen, Event chairwoman, accompanied by Sally Robertson, event co-chairwoman, had the honor of presenting the check to Erin Phillips, president and CEO of Children's Fund at their recently held meeting at the Burrage Mansion in Redlands.

"I did not expect such a fabulous amount raised to donate to Children's Fund, yet without a doubt, the consistent, positive and generous support of our community should never leave me wondering", said Nana Allen, chairwoman of the event.

"Bonnes Meres’ fruitage theme mentions that charity is the seed,” said Erin Phillips, president and CEO of Children's Fund. “Bestowing charity with simplicity and from a good, merciful and compassionate heart certainly resonates with the large donation of $70,000 made to Children’s Fund. This donation will help hundreds of at-risk children, and Children’s Fund is very appreciative of everyone’s generosity and the continuous support of Bonnes Meres Auxiliary.”

The donation to the Children's Fund included monies raised from the Fund-an-Item for "special area of needs" and will aid in replenishing sets of comfortable clothing, to include sweatshirts, t-shirts, sweatpants, undergarments and socks to the Children's Assessment Center, where they are made available to children as needed.

The mission of Bonnes Meres (French for "good mothers") is to prevent child abuse in the community; to ensure that at-risk children who are abused, neglected, impoverished or abandoned receive adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care and education; and to provide equal opportunity for social development for those children.

Bonnes Meres Auxiliary's upcoming event is the annual Birthday Luncheon which will be held April 17 at the Redlands Country Club. Guests bring unwrapped birthday presents for foster children in the community.

Information: Kristin Bryan Pierce, bonnesmeresbirthday@gmail.com