April’s inaugural Brighter Futures Laura’s House Luncheon at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach drew nearly 200 supporters and friends of the cause. Guests arrived ready to bid on silent auction items, shop from vendors who donated their proceeds to Laura’s House, and purchase books written by domestic violence expert and keynote speaker, Jill Murray.
Honorary chair Donna Pickup welcomed guests as they found their tables, each uniquely decorated by a community leader or local designer to reflect Laura’s House mission: to educate and prevent domestic violence. As lunch was served, Margaret Bayston, CEO and executive director of Laura’s House, introduced Murray. As an intern at Laura’s House during graduate school, Bayston realized that the majority of a woman’s unhealthy relationships start when she’s as young as 13. “We have to take an interest,” Murray said. “We can show them examples of what we expect and want for their lives.”
The luncheon netted more than $30,000 for families affected by domestic violence in Southern California. But more than money, the event raised positivity and awareness.
