PACE luncheon honors 'female spirit'

Community leaders and supporters of the PACE Center for Girls will "honor the female spirit" at the second annual Portraits of PACE luncheon Thursday, Nov. 13, at the International Design Center in Estero.

The luncheon is complimentary for the 400 attendees expected to attend, although donations are encouraged. The luncheon, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., is sponsored and underwritten by Margaret Miller and the International Design Center. Reservations may be made by calling 390-8207 by Nov. 3.

"We are encouraging anyone who would like to come to hear about the good work of PACE to join us. This is our major fund-raising event of the year so we are hoping that people will be generous in their support," said luncheon chair Lindsey Schmoyer.

Funds raised during the luncheon will help pay the operating expenses of the PACE Center for Girls, a non-residential delinquency prevention program targeting the unique needs of girls 12 to 18 years old who are identified as dependent, truant, runaway, delinquent, or in need of academic skills. Since the PACE Center for Girls

was established in Fort

Myers last year, 130 girls have started new lives of responsibility, dignity, serenity and grace.

Luncheon guests will have the opportunity to hear the stories of the PACE girls, many of whom have been abused, neglected and abandoned prior to finding a safe haven at PACE.

A silent auction featuring fine jewelry, vacation packages, and artwork created by the PACE girls also will highlight the luncheon.

PACE is a Florida-based, not for profit organization and the only statewide prevention program for adolescent atrisk girls in the nation.

For more information about the Portraits of PACE luncheon, contact Ms. Schmoyer at 940-6603. For information about PACE, contact Executive Director Debra Webb at 425-2366, ext. 23, or visit www.pacecenter.org.