7B Women hosting luncheon

SANDPOINT — The 7B Women, a committee of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, invite you to attend their April luncheon on Tuesday, April 4 at Tango Café in the Columbia Bank Center. The luncheon will begin at 11:45 a.m.

In recognition of Child Abuse Awareness Month, the group will present a panel of speakers to address what goes on in the life of an abused child after he or she is removed from the home. Did you know that before our community was blessed with Kinderhaven, if an abused child had nowhere to go, the police would have no choice but to take them to juvenile detention? This experience added to a child’s false belief that they are to blame.

While it is a harsh reality, the truth is child abuse is an everyday occurrence in society. The speakers who will bring this topic to the community at Tuesday’s luncheon include a representative of the Sandpoint Police Department; Jill Hicks, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who works with North Idaho Children’s Mental Health; Cherie Peak of Court Appointed Special Advocates in Sandpoint and Jennifer Plummer, the executive director of Kinderhaven.

Kim Diercks, the chairperson for the 7B Women committee, has been a long-time advocate against child abuse as a member of the Board of Directors for Kinderhaven for the past several years. She stated that the community and its resident cannot ignore the problem and encourages everyone to do their part to help in any way possible.

“I am hopeful that by listening to the many things that occur once a child is removed from his or her abusive situation, that people will discover a way in which they can help, whether it is through volunteering their time or just helping to spread the word,” said Diercks. “Awareness is a very important part of prevention.”

The luncheon is open to everyone in the community, both men and women. The cost is $20 or $15 for chamber members. Pre-registration is highly encouraged as the luncheons have grown in numbers and the committee hopes that everyone who wants to attend is able to do so. If you prefer to pay at the door, you may still pre-register without having to pay online.

If people would like an opportunity to promote their business at the luncheon, they are asked to bring an item to raffle and will be given a “minute with the mic” at the conclusion of the luncheon.

Those interested in attending can register by contacting the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce at 208-263-2161 or online at sandpointchamber.org.

Those wishing to buy raffle tickets may now purchase them ahead of time to avoid standing in line at check-in and optimize their networking time. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six tickets for $5.