Mary’s Place Advocacy Prevention and Sexual Assault Center of the Coastal Empire held a New Look, New Name VIP Reception at the Savannah Jaycees Hut located at 101 Atlas Street, on Feb. 23.
Accepting an invite from Simply Savannah's Katie Davis and Dru Usry for a VIP Reception announcing the new name from the formerly known Rape Crisis Center, I head to the recently renovated Jaycees Hut for a lively off site reception.
Standing under a red and teal balloon arch is Mary's Place Executive Director Doris L. Williams. Looking fierce and fab in red, Doris is talking with Mary McAllister, one of the original seven volunteers of the crisis line who later served as the executive director for 32 years.
Credit: Bunny Ware / For Savannah Morning News
Credit: Bunny Ware / For Savannah Morning News
There is no way it has been nine years since Mary retired so I ask what has happened since I saw her last. “After retiring I was able to join my husband Bob in managing the Savannah Bed & Breakfast Inn off Chatham Square. Maintaining a historic inn takes all my time,” shares the avid traveler.
Next up Thomas and Hutton's President & CEO Sam McCachern makes a beeline over to hug Doris and Mary. A long time supporter of both ladies, I remember hearing Sam's famous quote of "my prayer is that you can go out business" years ago and think of how cool it is that he continues to champion their cause.
Credit: Bunny Ware / For Savannah Morning News
Credit: Bunny Ware / For Savannah Morning News
Making sure I have an invite to Thomas & Hutton’s 75th Anniversary for a client appreciation night at Ships of the Sea later this week, I assure Sam that I would not miss an event from a firm that has done so much in our community.
Waving over Mary's Place Board of Directors Vice President Dr. Gemma Skiraton, I introduce her to David Hart, hug Eichholz Law Firm's Erica Scriven and Emily Bounds then wave over Tanya Milton, Victoria Baylor and Richard Sanders for my best group selfie of the night.
Credit: Bunny Ware / For Savannah Morning News
Credit: Bunny Ware / For Savannah Morning News
Arriving next is Savannah Police Department Chief Roy Minter, City of Savannah Alderman Kurtis Purtee and Linda Wilder Bryan and Pooler City Councilwoman Karen Williams. While posing the officials, I see Habitat for Humanity CEO Zerik Samples sneak in the side door. I have seen this guy so many times this month, you would think he is running for office!
After detouring over to sample candied bacon on a stick, I trot over to talk with Savannah Jaycees Tom Hussey, Ben Price and Frank Murray. Learning that Frank was the president of the Jaycees when the Rape Crisis Center was formed in 1981, I ask for a pic of the longtime Jaycees members.
Credit: Bunny Ware / For Savannah Morning News
Credit: Bunny Ware / For Savannah Morning News
Entering the Hut is tall beauty Elyse Molstad, aka The Swag Hag. Selling promotional items for Boundless, the Kansas native happens to be a comedian who once sold everything she owned to travel cross country to see the United States. Admitting that tonight is her first public appearance since COVID, Elyse makes a beeline over to see her favorite friend, Marianne Ganem Poppell.
Pausing Dru and Katie, I get invites for this month's Sips at the Station, a ribbon cutting for Isreally Hummus and a grand opening for Top Shelf Ammo next month. I can’t wait to see what the Simply Savannah peeps have planned for the rest of the year!
Happening next, International Diamond Center's GM Gary Pinka along with IDC's Vice President Brian Stamey present Doris with a thousand dollar check and a pearl bracelet. Teasing the duo on where my gift is, I glance over and see former Savannah City Manager Michael Brown arrive.
Credit: Bunny Ware / For Savannah Morning News
Credit: Bunny Ware / For Savannah Morning News
Looking buff, Savannah State University Communications student and United States Navy veteran Maurice Thompkins tells me how amped he is to graduate in May. With a quick pic of him with SSU's LeAndrea Mikell, I grab a Sprite and listen to Dru introduce Doris to the crowd.
After thanking her supporters, board members and staff, Doris tells the story of Mary exiting Rape Crisis Center on her last day. “As Mary walked away with a box under her arm, she stopped and looked back over her shoulder and said, ‘You take care of my baby’”. Seeing the obvious love between the two women, I’m going to say that Doris is raising Mary’s child beautifully.
Congratulating Doris on how this small and mighty non profit is rebranding with a new look and new name that allows them to provide advocacy to survivors of sexual assault, promote bullying prevention and awareness while offering a multitude of educational programs, I promise to see them on April 28 at Savannah Station for their annual fundraising gala.
Invite Bunny Ware to your gathering, gala or other social event. Contact her at 912-844-1122 or email at bunnyware@aol.com. See more columns by Bunny at SavannahNow.com/Lifestyle/
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Rape Crisis Center honors former executive director with new name, Mary's Place
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