Friends, family and neighbors gathered at Prospector Ranch in Westlake for an afternoon of music, food and friendship, raising more than $12,000 for Children to Love International.
“Children to Love is an organization I work with in support of Mercy Childcare Ministry outside of Kampala, Uganda,” says Meggan Kimberley, owner along with her husband Chris Warme of Prospector Ranch. Noting that 100% of the event’s proceeds go toward helping children in Ukraine and Uganda, Meggan and her husband got involved with the organization four years ago. “We have seen them grow from having an orphanage and hospital on the property in Uganda to adding a church, women's learning center, and school with boarding for children from the slums of Kampala.”
Children to Love International is committed to the care of orphaned, abandoned and at-risk children. They currently work in Romania, India, Uganda, Ukraine and Thailand and strive to equip children with the ability to become independent, contributing members of their communities, as well as supporting organizations that serve as protective havens for vulnerable children.
“Children to Love is so grateful to Prospector Ranch for its support of CTL through this very special event,” says John Penrose, president of Children to Love. “The work of CTL supports ‘the least, the lost and the littlest’—orphaned and abandoned children around the world—through the work of our in-country partners.”
In Uganda, the organization works with Mercy Childcare Ministry to support education, medical and childcare services, as well as outreach programs to provide microloans for widows to help with independence and many other social, emotional and spiritual services for those in need.
In Ukraine through the work of Future for Children, many families are helped socially, physically, educationally and spiritually.
“Especially during these days of war in Ukraine, Future for Children is feeding, clothing, lodging, providing medical services and offering educational, spiritual and emotional support to dozens of Ukrainians who have been displaced and uprooted by the conflict,” says Penrose. “This event will help allow CTL to continue its work with those in need and we are so grateful for the caring and sharing and being invited to be part of this very special event.”
Guests enjoyed live music, tacos and local wine and brews. Artists and vendors offered incredible jewelry, paintings, handbags and more. Kym Douglas conducted a live auction, which included overnight stays in the unique onsite Conestoga Covered Wagon (one of five in the state) and Vintage Airstream. A silent auction featured services and special items, such as bracelets, vision board sessions, financial planning and teeth whitening.
Set in the peaceful mountain wilderness, "Prospector Ranch is a new boutique event space in the community and one of our goals is to give back and use our ranch for good. This is the perfect opportunity to bring the community together to do so,” adds Meggan.
For more information, visit ChildrenToLove.org.
