UK Women Dentists to Hold Fundraiser Benefiting Abuse Victims
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 18, 2011) − Members of the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry are preparing for their largest fundraiser of the year which will benefit neglected and abused domestic violence victims.
The fifth annual event will be held from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22,, at the UK Student Center Grand Ballroom. The Master of Ceremonies will be Amber Philpot from WKYT 27 News.
"The students at the dental school are very community minded," said Ashley Betz, fourth-year dental student and president of AAWD at UK. "This fundraiser is extremely important to members of AAWD and the dental school as a whole. Our members have been working on the event all summer in hopes to bring much needed care to these women and children.”
The AAWD at UK Fall Fashion Show, Brunch, and Silent Auction was first held five years ago by Dr. Erin Langfels to raise funds for victims of domestic violence so that they would be able to receive dental care at no cost at the UK College of Dentistry. All proceeds from the event go to the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Center where the money is earmarked for individuals and families entering the center to be able to receive dental care due to oral trauma and neglect. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $50,000 used to pay for extractions, tooth replacements and even oral cancer treatment for some victims.
"The fundraiser is a fun way to bring the community together and raise awareness and money to help make a difference in people's lives," said Darlene Thomas, executive director of the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Center. "In the past five years, this program has not only made a difference but it even saved one woman's life."
A full brunch buffet will be served by UK Catering Service during the silent auction. Auction items include a houseboat rental for a weekend, a clarisonic facial system, massages, wine tastings, jewelry, oil changes, golf lessons, and many more. The fashion show to follow will include the latest looks from Alumni Hall, Gap, Francesca’s, Bella Rose, Calypso Boutique, Geno’s, Runway Couture and Ann Taylor. All the models in the fashion show will be styled by Planet Salon. Additionally, door prizes are available and each guest will receive a bag full of coupons and samples at the fashion show portion of the event.
Tickets for the event are $20 in advance and may be purchased online at www.smilesforlife-aawd.com. Tickets are $25 at the door the day of the event. Student tickets are $10 with a current UK Wildcat ID Card or any other current student ID presented at the door. Guests are encouraged to bring clothes which will be donated to God's Closet at the Chrysalis House and toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, for the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center.
Parking is available in the lot next to the Student Center on the Avenue of Champions, as well as the E lot directly across the street next to Memorial Coliseum. The parking structure on South Limestone beside Kennedy's Bookstore also will be reserved for this event from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at no cost. However, all vehicles must be moved before 3:30 p.m., as the gates will lock at this time.
For more information about Smiles for Life, go to: http://smilesforlife-aawd.com. For more information about the event, contact Ashley Betz at admin@smilesforlife-aawd.com
Media Contact: Ann Blackford at (859)323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu