Caring Friends gather for their annual Christmas benefit for New Life Center.
Barbara and Ed Lavin
Caring Friends annual Christmas party to benefit the residents of New Life Center was held on Sunday, December 14 at the ballroom in Eagle’s Nest. Beautiful presents for both the moms and children were purchased and delivered by the volunteers and placed around the Christmas tree. Appetizers were brought to share and beverages were available. Muriel Long played the piano and the O’Gara family (Chris and Christy O’Gara and their six children) provided outstanding musical entertainment. It was a truly festive event chaired by Carol and Bob Erbacher, Nancy and Larry Huss and Ed and Barb Lavin. A great time was had by all. Carine Raygoza (volunteer coordinator) gave a meaningful presentation which included human interest stories giving all of us some insight into the problems facing the New Life Center’s residents.
Caring Friends is a group of volunteers (mostly from here in PebbleCreek) who take food to New Life Center Monday through Thursday, help decorate a casita three times a year and provide gifts during the holidays. We have over 150 volunteers to share the responsibilities so that each volunteer is only involved once or twice a month.
New Life Center is an emergency shelter for abused women and children here in Goodyear. They have room for 104 residents and can stay up to four months. Their brochure reads that they are “Saving lives, building futures, empowering women and children escaping domestic violence.” Tours are provided on the second Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Call New Life Center at 623-932-4404 for a reservation.
We are always in need of volunteers; please call Carine Raygoza, volunteer coordinator at New Life Center, at 623-932-4404 or email her at [email protected] or email Barb and Ed Lavin at [email protected].