A New Day … A New Dawn … A New Dorm! The Mission of Yahweh celebrates 60 years by announcing building plans at the Women of Substance Luncheon

A New Dawn … A New Day … A New Dorm! The Mission of Yahweh celebrates 60 years by announcing building plans at the Women of Substance Luncheon

A very happy crowd was on hand at the 5th annual Women of Substance Luncheon as Richard Hill, Executive Director of The Mission of Yahweh, revealed the exciting building plans for The Mission of Yahweh.  A new dorm is to be added to the 12-building campus in celebration of The Mission’s 60-year anniversary. Janelle and Greg Reid, the Reid Family Foundation, have donated the first $100,000 toward naming rights for the new dorm and Larry Martin, a long-time supporter of The Mission, has offered a $500,000 match. 

On the heels of this happy news and the invocation by Reverend Mary Gracely, Chairs Joanna and Brad Marks, welcomed the crowd and gave heart-warming testimonials of finding The Mission years ago and becoming dedicated supporters.  They vigorously thanked Honorary Chairs Sidney Faust and Regina Rogers and mentioned Martha Turner, who was unable to attend.

Paul-David Van Atta, creator and producer of the event, conducted an emotional interview with special guest star, Kechi Okwuchi, plane crash survivor and “America’s Got Talent” finalist. After Okwuchi sang two songs, there was not a dry eye in the audience the attendees awarded her a lengthy standing ovation!  

After a rousing live auction conducted by Honorable Bill King, Emcee and Special Advisor, Warner Roberts announced the 2021 Women of Substance honorees. Lotty Gautschi was presented with the first-ever Mission of Yahweh Legacy Award.  Helen Gay, nee Sister Gay, worked for Lotty and her husband, Carl in Carl’s Beauty Pavilion as a manicurist/pedicurist when she revealed that God had instructed her to minister to homeless women and children.  Sister Gay began her ministry at that moment, and Gautschi supported her and The Mission throughout its 60-year history.

Roberts announced the popular KHOU television personality, Deborah Duncan, as The Spirit of Substance Award Recipient citing the many ways in which she donates her time and resources to assist a multitude of organizations and individuals.  Roberts asked her to stay on stage to announce the remaining honorees.  Sybil Roos was honored with the Lifetime of Substance award.  The 2021 honorees were announced and led to the stage by Scott Evans:  Yvonne Cormier, Brigitte Kalai, Samantha Kennedy, Judi McGee, Mary Ann McKeithan, Linda McReynolds, Kristina Somerville, Betty Tutor, Donna Vallone, Vicki West, Phyllis Williams and Ramona Yauger.

Because the event last year was virtual, the 2020 honorees were asked to stand and be recognized.  Receiving enthusiastic applause were 2020 Honorary Chairs Regina Rogers and Sybil Roos, the Lifetime of Substance Award recipient, Rose Cullen, and the 2020 Women of Substance:  Lilly Andress, Donatella Benckenstein, Donae Chramosta, Tracy Faulkner and Susan Arnoldy Hansen.  Those honorees unable to attend included:  Cathy Borlenghi, Gina Gaston Elie, Zina Garrison, Leela Krishnamurthy and Susan Soussan.

At this moment, the luncheon is projected to raise approximately $400,000.

In the spirited audience, clapping and shouting like children at an athletic event in support of the honorees, were:  Susan Sarofim, Hannah McNair, Sharon Abercia, Kathy Hill,  Gregg Harrison, Monica Hartland, Mark Haas, Amy Pierce, Jim Daniel, Susan Boggio, Andrew Gardener, Lilly Andress, Shelby Hodge, David McKeithan, Tena Faust, Donae Chramosta, Walter Aymen, Vicki Rizzo, Anne Romano, Doug Yauger, Tracy Faulkner, Chris Hendel, Heather Almond, Sherri Zucker, Chris Kase, Susan Boggio,  Lesha Elsenbrook, Bobbie Weinstein, Diane Gendel, Dr. Sippi Khurana, Hallie Vanderhider and Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Freedman.