AMICA gives $32,000 in financial gifts to local nonprofits

Scholarships to be awarded to Rockwall and Heath students

amica group — Photo by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.

(ROCKWALL, TX – April 20, 2015) The ladies of AMICA Rockwall showcased how hard they’ve been working for charities across the county as they distributed $32,000 in financial gifts to local Rockwall and Heath nonprofits on April 18 at Culpepper Steak House.

Those in attendance at the event enjoyed a great breakfast as they showed their support for the following charities that received donations from AMICA:

Sammy Knostman Park, Shoes For Kids, New Beginnings, Rockwall County Library, Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County, Patriot PAWS, Women In Need, Rainbow Room, Shattered Dreams, Rockwall Community Playhouse, Rockwall Art League, Tri County Veterans Honor Guard, Lake Pointe Medical Center, Meals On Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County, J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall, Helping Hands of Rockwall County, Rockwall County Arts Alliance and Rockwall ISD Education Foundation.

“We are honored to have so many distinguished community leaders join us this Saturday morning,” said Priscilla Hunt, AMICA president. “I know each of you give countless hours for your causes, and we are so inspired by the work you do every year.”

Pictured above are: Top row, from left: Ann Knostman (Sammy Knostman Park), Kristina Cluberson (Shoes for Kids). Next row: Cindy Turek (New Beginnings) , Doreen Miller (Rockwall County Library). Next row: Debbie Williamson (Boys & Girls Club), Lori Stevens (Patriot Paws). Next row: Connie Pettitt (Women In Need), Dorthy Burriss (Rainbow Room). Next row: Monika Amick (Shattered Dreams), Stephen Straughan (Boy & Girls Club), Mary Thacker (Rockwall Community Playhouse). Bottom: Thom Loafman (Rockwall Art League), Shelley Weast & Linda Trahan (Amica Philanthropy Co- Chairs), Gene Allen (Tri County Veterns Honor Guard), Terry Pothier (Lake Pointe Medical Center), Margie VerHagen (Meals on Wheels), Staci Barron (Amica President Elect), Priscilla Hunt (Amica President). Not Pictured: Bonnie LaVielle (JER Chilton YMCA at Rockwall), Jayne McFadin (Rockwall County Alliance for the Arts), Sherry Hamm (Helping Hands), Ashlei Neil (Rockwall ISD Education Foundation).

AMICA – which derived its name from the same Latin word meaning friend – is a charitable volunteer organization which was founded in 1974 by a group of local ladies wanting to foster friendships while contributing to the Rockwall community. Since 2005, AMICA has given almost $765,000 in the form of college scholarships for local high school students, as well as direct gifts to local charities and educational causes.

Each year the organization hosts its Annual Denim and Diamonds Charity Gala in order to raise funds for scholarship giveaways and other philanthropic endeavors. This year AMICA will hold the event at Culpeppers Steak House on Oct. 3 from 6 p.m. to midnight. Tickets for the event are $110 per person, $200 per couple. Guests are invited to come enjoy some awesome food, live and silent auctions, live music and dancing, casino tables and a cigar bar.

AMICA will present $60,000 in scholarships to Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School seniors during award ceremonies in May and June. The RHS scholarship awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at RHS, while the ceremony for Rockwall-Heath is scheduled for June 4 at 10 a.m. at RHHS.

To help support AMICA’s efforts, mark your calendars for the gala and follow the ladies of AMICA Rockwall on Facebook for updates and news!