HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE -- Since 1984, Potter's Clay Ministries has helped area women and children in crisis without any government funding, relying solely on support of individual and community donations.
To help meet financial needs of the Hot Springs organization, the Potter's Clay Hot Springs Village Women's Auxiliary holds a number of fundraisers throughout the year. Its next will take place beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday in a second-floor banquet room of the Austin Convention Hotel & Spa, 305 Malvern Ave.
Guests will be treated to a luncheon, followed by a fashion show featuring modeled looks by Marcia Dobbs-Smith's Grand Lagniappe Shoppe.
The Auxiliary's president, Brenda Loudermilk, has been involved with the HSV group since 1994 and has served as president the past two years. She told The Sentinel-Record her impetus for volunteering arose after experiencing a family crisis.
She said, "I have a daughter that, when she was in her early 20s, she was abused by her first husband. And when I was able to retire and spend time helping Potter's Clay, it gave me a feeling of paying back."
Loudermilk also spoke about Elizabeth Brakebill, who became the Potter's Clay director in 1985 and retired Sept. 1.
"She has been such help to us with our fundraising," Loudermilk said. "When we've had questions, she's provided the answers."
Brakebill's son, Mike Brakebill, is now at the reins as director and will be the event's speaker on Tuesday. He said in an interview that his mother had been serving as director of The Dorcas House in Little Rock. At that time, Potter's Clay had been running for about a year, and the founders approached her to take over.
"She felt God called her into that work," he said.
And there's a third-generation family member helping out, too. Patience Brakebill, his daughter-in-law, runs the office and takes part in daily hands-on work with the women and children served.
Mike Brakebill said of the Potter's Clay housing, "We average every night there being 40 women and children inside the shelter, and sometimes more." That adds up to thousands helped since its opening.
His mother will be honored on Tuesday for her 30 years as director, and she will remain involved with the organization as a consultant.
He said the family's dedication comes from seeing lives change. Potter's Clay helps those they serve by "getting them out of difficult situations, getting them off the street, and trying to get them back into being productive members of the society."
Loudermilk said, "I know what my daughter went through when she was abused. It's a way of helping these girls."
The Auxiliary also runs the Potter's Clay Thrift Store, and Loudermilk said, "We're always needing volunteers to work there ... It's a good way of giving something back to the community."
In addition to the lunch and show, the fundraiser event will feature a silent auction, with items including a fur jacket, portable CD player, gift certificates, handbags, household items, and artwork.
The luncheon menu will be a salad plate, featuring a trio of spring mix, cranberry chicken, and buttermilk fruit salads, along with a three-fruit tart for dessert. Water, tea and coffee will be served, and a cash bar will be available.
There will also be door prizes given for those in attendance, and winners of a three-tier money raffle will be announced. The raffle winners need not be present to win, and prizes are $200, $100 and $50.
Event tickets can be purchased for $30 through Monday by calling Linda Havens at 501-922-4549.
For those interested in making a monetary donation to Potter's Clay Ministries, checks can be mailed to 110 Crescent Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901.
To donate thrift store items, they can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. weekdays at 1036 Malvern Ave.
"We appreciate all the support the community gives us," Brakebill said.
Local on 10/09/2015