Writer Lara Piu
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]other’s Grace, the Paradise Valley-based organization that has been helping mothers in crisis since 2009, will hold its eighth annual Mother’s Day brunch Thursday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at El Chorro Lodge in Paradise Valley. This will mark the first time the organization’s brunch will be held at the restaurant.
“Although we outgrew our former space, we wanted to retain the beautiful backdrop of the mountains for the mothers that we are celebrating,” founder Michelle Moore-Fanger says. “El Chorro’s provides that backdrop but retains that intimate feeling that helps us build camaraderie among the mothers that attend.”
The champagne brunch will be followed by shopping with vendors like Seraphym Designs, Bungalow, Jewel Ya and Scottsdale Quarter’s Galicia Jewelry.
“We keep it to a few vendors so that the shopping is enhancing, rather than overwhelming,” she adds. “We have meaningful, fun vendors that people would want to buy a Mother’s Day gift from.”
There will also be a raffle, a silent auction, and an inspirational speaker. Proceeds raised by the event will benefit the Mother’s Grace Foundation.
Michelle conceived the organization in 2009 when the mother, humanitarian and corporate executive experienced two life-changing health diagnoses right around the same time. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and her son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. That’s when a lightbulb came on.
“There’s nobody better to help than someone who knows what it’s like,” Michelle explains. “You have to feel it. You have to have that passion. Once I experienced it, I really wanted to prop others up.”
It’s when the grace comes in, she says.
“Bad things happen all the time, but if we open up to the experience, grace comes next, and then good things can happen.”
Mother’s Grace was also inspired by Michelle’s mom, a pediatric nurse who passed away when she was five-years-old.
“In the back of my mind, I always wanted to do something like the work she did,” Michelle adds.
Now in its 18th year, the organization reaches up to 1,000 mothers annually year through its programs that are fueled by donors like Steak 44 and Dominick’s Steakhouse, and approximately 75 volunteers. The organization provides financial aid and other support like help with monthly bills, medications, meals, housekeeping, mentorship, childcare, and other services to mothers during times of adversity. Each year, it also helps four non-profit organizations get off the ground and prosper.
At its Mother’s Day brunch, however, mothers are the sole focus.
“We do most of the fundraising before the event,” Michelle says. “We want women to come to be inspired and moved. Mother’s Day is a great time to be inspired.”
Mother’s Grace
Mother’s Day Brunch
May 4
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
El Chorro Lodge
5550 E. Lincoln Dr.
Paradise Valley
For information on how to attend, contact [email protected].
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