‘Chair’ish the Children Reception to Raise Awareness of Child Abuse

chair-ish-the-children-fundraiser-2018The annual ‘Chair’ish the Children reception will be hosted at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond on April 26.

From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. visitors can view more than 50 decorated child-sized chairs and bid during the silent auction. All monies raised benefit the Prevent Child Abuse Lake County (PCALC). The chairs are on display until April 26 in the W.F. Wellman Exhibit Hall at the Indiana Welcome Center during normal business hours.

This year’s exhibit includes categories for middle school students, high school students and adult organizations that work with children. During the reception, a panel of local artists and teachers will judge the chairs and award the top three schools in both the middle and high school categories with a cash prize to assist with their art department. The adult category is not eligible for a cash prize.

Stephan Wanger of Bead Town will also be hosting a free beading workshop for the 3,311 square foot mural Bead Town: Along the South Shore. Bead Town: Along the South Shore will be on display and open to the public until September 30, 2018. Participants can add to the mural during the evening. The mural will be completed in 2019 and is a Guinness World Records® Attempt.

The one-of-a-kind chairs will be auctioned during the reception and proceeds will be used to assist with future child abuse prevention programming. Thousands of dollars have been raised since the event auction began in 2011. Light refreshments will be served and a suggested donation of $5 will be accepted at the door; the event is open to the public.

For more information about the event, or about PCALC, visit www.pcalc.org or email the organization at pcalc@hotmail.com. The Indiana Welcome Center is located at 7770 Corinne Drive in Hammond.