Mike Wolanin | The Republic October Thomas, left, and Mariah Holt, both from Central Middle School, get food during the Great Girls Wonderful Women luncheon at Foundation for Youth in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019.
Foundation For Youth’s annual “Great Girls, Wonderful Women” luncheon will return in person this October after two years of going virtual amid the pandemic.
The event, now in its eighth year, will be held at FFY’s Hope Avenue location from noon to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 20, with doors and a food buffet opening at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are now available at foundationforyouth.com. It will also be livestreamed to schools so that students who cannot attend will still be able to watch.
“Great Girls Wonderful Women is an annual luncheon, bringing together the women of our community with girls from FFY programs,” said organizers. “Sharing experiences, inspiration and fun, our guests leave energized and empowered!”
Skye Nicholson, life coach at Souls’ Truth Coaching in Columbus, will emcee the event, and guest speaker Hanna Omar will share her insights and passions.
Omar works with the government banking group at JP Morgan Chase Bank. She was a candidate for Bartholomew County Council in 2018 and has been an advocate for the Muslim community.
She was a 2021 recipient of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Leadership Award and has also received the Benjamin “Mickey” King award for her efforts to make Columbus and Bartholomew County a more welcoming community from the Columbus Area Multi-Ethnic Organization.
“Great Girls, Wonderful Women” will include a buffet, a presentation by Omar, a table activity and a question and answer session with Omar.
Tickets are $100 per person and $500 for a table of six. Corporate table sponsorships are also available. The event’s proceeds will benefit the FFY Scholarship Fund and provide girls with the opportunity to participate in FFY programming even if registration fees pose a challenge to their families.
As of Sept. 15, $18,500 had been raised, which is about 62% of FFY’s $30,000 goal.
