Lauchette Low and Sue Birky
Vicki Tessatore and Ron Kari – one of Santa’s serving elves and a grateful guest
Patty Elliott
For more seasons than they can almost remember, Sue and John Birky and Lauchette Low have been instrumental in helping others remember that December is the season for giving to hungry babies in our communities.
What began as a ladies party with fruitcake and sherry wine “forever ago” as John Birky describes it, morphed into a wine, cheese and chatter party in Ohio during the early 1990s when Sue was asked to assume the leadership. She agreed on the caveat that the menu would change. Out went the fruitcake and the sherry wine! In came a tradition that the Birkys and Lows continued for almost 10 years in Ohio. The men took care of their secret recipe for a sparkling punch with a kick and the ladies handled all of the details for the food.
Those who attended the party brought gifts of food and clothing for area children in need. Surprisingly, local food banks that receive food donations often receive little for the children in the way of formula or beginning foods. Struggling families feed their children the same foods they fix for the adults. Wine, cheese and chatter helped stock the food bank shelves for those little children.
Fast-forward to 2016, almost 15 years after the Birkys and Lows brought their December sharing idea to SaddleBrooke. On Monday, December 5, 2016, more than 100 ladies enjoyed this year’s Cheer, Cheese and Chatter Event at the Birky’s home. John rounded up a group of elves to deftly pour the secret recipe liquid libation. Lauchette hired a crew of Santa hat wearing men to valet drive the guests in golf carts from their cars to the Birky’s home.
This year the Women’s Committee from Resurrection Church at SaddleBrooke again assisted Sue and Lauchette with the food. Karen Hustad, Judy Stanard, Sandi Newberry, Marty Harsch, Sharon Dunn, Opal Larkin, Sharon Sneen, Patty Elliott and Kelly Respond prepared a huge array of yummy (cheese related) treats for the guests to enjoy. And, of course, homemade Christmas cookies and little desserts were prepared to top off the event.
The guests contributed a combination of cash donations and baby foods, sweaters, diapers, etc. equaling about 441 pounds and $3,000 in cash. The beneficiaries – our young babies and children whose parents access services from IMPACT in Catalina. For at least six months they will have healthy foods to eat and drink as they grow.
Thanks to Cheer, Cheese and Chatter we were able to share the Christmas spirit with much joy and laughter. We’ll be back again next year! If you’d like to participate, give Sue a call (818-1942).