Auction raises money, awareness to prevent child abuse, neglect

LANSING – Hundreds gathered to raise $485,943 to help prevent child abuse and neglect at the 13th annual Pam Posthumus Signature Auction Event held May 13 at the Lansing Center.

The auction is the main fundraiser for the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund, the nonprofit state agency housed in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) that coordinates statewide efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.

“The Children’s Trust Fund is guided in its work by the belief there is no greater gift we can give than to ensure all our children reach their fullest potential,” Gov. Rick Snyder said. “Tonight is proof positive that many share this belief and support efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect in Michigan.”

As part of the evening’s festivities, Gov. Snyder and Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr., presented the 2015 Michigan Children’s Advocate award to Maura Corrigan for her work as a tireless advocate for Michigan’s children as the former director of the Michigan Department of Human Services, now part of MDHHS, and former chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.

She was awarded a custom sculpture titled "Quiet Embrace" by Williamston artist Lee Kronenberg, who retired as a state psychologist and former assistant to the director of what was then known as the Central Office at the Michigan Bureau of Child and Family Services.

Television station WLNS 6 News anchor Chivon Kloepfer served as the host for the evening that included cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, music by “The Dirty Helens,” a silent auction and a live auction that featured a variety of dynamic gift items, including trip packages to national and international destinations, golf packages and concert tickets to A-list acts and much more.

Other speakers included Michael Foley, CTF executive director; Lori Wortz, WWP Strategies; and CTF board chair and former Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville.
The auction is named in honor of Pam Posthumus, wife of former Michigan Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus; she passed away in August 2010. She was an incredible leader who cared deeply about Michigan’s most vulnerable children and was passionate about preventing child abuse and neglect in Michigan. She was appointed to the CTF board in 1997 and served as board chair in 2002.

The annual Children’s Trust Fund Signature Auction Event is a partnership among state legislators, lobbyists, government relations professionals and local community leaders to raise money and awareness in support of the Children’s Trust Fund.

Top sponsors for the event included Great Lakes Capital Fund, DTE Energy Foundation, Jackson National Life, Delta Airlines, The Lansing Center, Adams, Midland Cogeneration Venture (MCV), Byrum and Fisk and Meijer. A full listing of all event sponsors is available on www.michigan.gov/ctfsignature under the “Become A Sponsor” tab.

Created by the Legislature in 1982, CTF is Michigan’s only statewide nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. It has raised more than $60 million to support programs that have affected more than 6 million children and families. CTF dedicates more than 90 percent of its funds to programming and less than 10 percent to administrative costs. It does not receive any state appropriations. Instead its funding comes from grants, license plate purchases, tax form check-offs and fundraisers like the Pam Posthumus Signature Auction Event.