Make a Difference 2008 raises record $221,000 for
abused, neglected and troubled girls
February 10, 2008

AUSTIN - The Ninth Annual Make a Difference gala surpassed previous records with an unprecedented $221,000 raised for the abused, neglected and troubled girls who are residents of the New Life Children's Center in Canyon Lake.

"This was an incredible year, both for Make A Difference and for the girls of New Life," said Kurt Senske, chief executive officer of Lutheran Social Services, which owns and operates New Life Children's Center. "The outpouring of generosity from every personinvolved, from our longest-serving committee members to our newest donors was inspiring. Their efforts will enable us to continue our commitment to offering the best care possible for every girl at New Life."

Titled "A New Dawn: Brightening the Future of the Girls at New Life," the annual event drew a sellout crowd of nearly 400 to Barton Creek Resort and Spa. Awash in pastel hues of the Hill Country Sunrise, the event featured silent and live auctions, along with dinner and dancing to music by The Derailers.

This year's guest speaker was Mistyn, who recently left New Life after receiving treatment as a teenager. She spoke of the life-changing experience as a base for the stability she now enjoys.

"I came to New Life afraid and angry," Mistyn said. "I am happy to say that I am leading a life that free of the problems and turmoil I once faced. I am forever thankful of the second chance that New Life gave me."

Honorary co-chairs Olga Campos, KVUE-TV News anchor, and Kevin Benz, News8 Austin news director, led a spirited live auction. Featured in the auction were a signature painting by Texas artist Bunny Oliver; three round-trip vacation packages, including one romantic getaway to downtown San Francisco; and two Platinum Passes with VIP access to the South by Southwest Music Festival. The live auction raised more than $15,000 for New Life.

The high point of the evening came with a special auction event, "A Chapel for New Life." The auction offered attendees an opportunity to "buy shares" towards the creation of a chapel on the New Life campus.

"The girls of New Life are offered voluntary spiritual care, including outdoor chapel services," Senske said. "We want to create an indoor place for the girls who seek healing for the soul, along with the mind and heart."

Kicking off the chapel auction, anonymous donors offered to match up to $25,000 towards the creation of a chapel, which would bring the total amount of money raised to $94,963.

Guests celebrated the rest of the evening by dancing to the retro-classic country stylings of The Derailers.

"We cannot make a difference in the lives of the girls of New Life without the help of our incredibly generous sponsors, who raised $90,000 in sponsorship and ticket sales before we even opened the doors," said Senske.

New Life serves girls ages 11 to 17 who suffer from severe emotional and behavioral problems, most as a result of past abuse and neglect. New Life provides specialized care in a secure, structured environment where residents can receive therapy, attend school, enjoy recreational activities and are offered voluntary spiritual care.

Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc., is the social service arm of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. LSS annually serves nearly 35,000 children, elderly and poor in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi regardless of religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender or age. Its ministry includes children's centers, therapeutic foster care, adoption, adult day care, health care and retirement centers, emergency assistance and disaster response.

Top