Family Room: Playground Article Archives

No Doubt About It-CFI Enjoys Huge Success at 1st Gala Fundraiser!

By Wendy Ponte (CFI, NY)

Miss Kitty entertains the children at CFI's Gala Benefit event. Photo by Beverly Harper.

“Order more pizzas!” said CFI Founder, Michele Mason, as hordes of children of all ages, along with their parents and friends poured into San Francisco's Randall Museum on the evening of March 27th. More than 250 enthusiastic participants had come to be a part of Child-Friendly Initiative's Gala Benefit Event-but somehow no one had expected quite so many to attend!

And there were a lot of good reasons to attend this jubilant event. The raffle including items such as a set of handmade children's furniture, and the silent auction featured an in-home catered dinner for 6 by local chef, Laurie McKenzie. For the youngest in the crowd, Miss Kitty entertained with original songs in the auditorium. The older kids were dazzled by yo-yo champions, jugglers and the Randall's generous opening of the wild animal displays.

The evening's grand finale was a talk by Peggy O'Mara, editor of the popular alternative parenting magazine, Mothering. Her words of wisdom were shared with a riveted audience of mothers and fathers, many of whom waited patiently in a long line to receive a signed copy of Peggy's new book, Natural Family Living-and to ask a few private questions of their own.

The incredible turnout will make a very real dream come true for CFI: proceeds from the benefit will pay for printing “How-To” kits which CFI will distribute to businesses and other organizations across the United States-an important step in realizing our goal of creating child-friendly communities. However, the success of this evening won't be measured only in dollars. The clear message that many, many people care about how children and families are treated provides inspiration to the core group of volunteers who have worked many long, un-paid hours to make CFI's very existence possible.

CFI wishes to gratefully acknowledge the Randall Museum and its Director, Amy Dawson, for hosting the event and for all the extra help and support provided-above and beyond the call of duty!

Wendy Ponte is a writer and mother of Adelaide (age 3). She lives with her family in Brooklyn, N.Y. She and her daughter came all the way from New York to attend this great event.