Every year, Alpha Family Center hosts a banquet and welcomes the entire community to attend. It’s a tradition that brings together hundreds of people who support the Lowell non-profit in its work to provide families with everything from a GED to baby formula.
“This is our annual event to thank all our current volunteers and update them,” says Christa Wetzel, executive director for Alpha Family Center. However, you don’t have to be a current volunteer or donor to attend. “It’s also a great opportunity to welcome new friends.”
What’s more, the banquet doubles as the major fundraiser for the center, which was established in Lowell more than 11 years ago.
Free Dinner and Speaker to Help Meet Ambitious Goal
Although it may seem counter-intuitive for a fundraising event, the 2017 Friendship Banquet is completely free. “We want everyone to feel like they can attend,” Wetzel says.
Catered by Miss P’s Catering and underwritten by other event sponsors, the banquet hopes to provide nourishment for both the body and soul. Christen Pollo, executive director of Students for Life of Michigan, will be on-hand to share her story and the importance of providing support to pregnant women and families. At the end of the evening, there will be an opportunity for those in attendance to support the Alpha Family Center with a monetary donation of their choice.
In previous years, the banquet has drawn upwards of 225 people and raised up to $14,000 for the center’s operations. However, the non-profit has set its sights significantly higher this year. For 2017, it is hoping to raise $40,000 through the Friendship Banquet.
“It’s a big step of faith,” Wetzel says, but a needed one. The money is crucial for Alpha Family Center to continue offering a diverse and expanding menu of services.
More Services Mean More Funds Needed
Alpha Family Center has seen significant growth in the past few years. In 2017 alone, it has helped 448 clients who came in for a combined 703 appointments.
In August 2016, the center became a medical facility, offering free ultrasounds and pregnancy testing. It passes out free prenatal vitamins and offers other resources, from parenting classes to budgeting assistance to employment support. Clients receive free car seats and can earn Alpha Bucks that can be redeemed for diapers, formula, clothes and even baby furniture. The most recent additions to the center are an accredited GED program and English as a Second Language instruction.
Wetzel is grateful the center has been able to help so many people in so many facets of their lives. However, she is also realistic about the future. As a largely volunteer operation, she knows the Alpha Family Center has a need for more workers.
She also says the center is quickly outgrowing its current facility. Diapers, formula and other supplies line the hallway between classrooms while clothing, bedding and baby necessities fill another room. The front reception area is small, and it’s not unusual for a half dozen kids to be playing in the entryway while their parents are at appointments or classes.
While Alpha Family Center will continue its work regardless of the amount raised at the Friendship Banquet, Wetzel hopes community members will see the value of the center’s services and support it accordingly.
The 2017 Friendship Banquet will be held on October 26 at 6:15pm in the community space at First Baptist Church. Although a free event, RSVPs are requested to ensure enough meals will be prepared, and people can register online.
Those who aren’t able to attend but would like to support the work of Alpha Family Center can donate online as well.
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