More than 200 people attended a Dec. 6 fundraising gala, when actress and author Meredith Baxter spoke to help raise funds for A Safe Place, a shelter for abused women and children.
Comtrea, the county’s primary mental health agency, runs A Safe Place and sponsored the fundraiser.
It was held at the Holiday Inn Southwest and Viking Conference Center in St. Louis County and included dinner and a one-act play called “A Safe Place,” which was written by Carol Kline of Hillsboro.
Stephen Huss, Comtrea’s CEO, said the event brought in about $27,000, but most of that will go to pay bills associated with the fundraiser, like Baxter’s $15,000 fee to appear.
However, the fundraiser helped promote another one – a benefit fashion show, lunch and auction – to be held April 22, also at the Viking Conference Center, 10709 Watson Road.
“We’ve already sold three tables,” Huss said Monday.
Also, the Baxter talk and play provided a longterm fundraising opportunity for Comtrea, Huss said.
The group is putting together “facilitator kits” to be sold to other shelters so they can put on similar fundraisers, including the play.
At the Dec. 6 fundraiser, Baxter spoke about her history with domestic abuse, alcohol addiction and recovery, encouraging victims to not be victims.
She also sold and signed copies of her book, “Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame and Floundering.”
Huss said she signed more than 100 books at the event, and proceeds from those sales benefited Comtrea.
Photos by Ted Howell; story by Kim Robertson
