Chicago, IL - On Saturday, October 1, 2011, the Maternal Child Health Advocacy Council hosted the 2011 Charity Matinee to raise money for PCC Community Wellness Center’s breastfeeding support services. This event included an afternoon of food, drinks, and music with legendary Detroit rocker, Carolyn Striho. In celebration of the launch of Mary Sommers’ new book More Than a Midwife, Chicago actresses Isabel Liss, Maya Rose Dinerstein, and Chaon Cross performed various book readings. This was followed by remarks from special guest speaker, Illinois State Representative Robyn Gabel, 18th District, who hopes to promote policies that improve breastfeeding practices in hospitals. Dr. Bechara Choucair, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, also made a guest appearance and spoke about his support for PCC.
Part of the proceeds included money raised from selling pink and purple feather boas to the guests. “I’m not going to another fundraiser unless I get a feather boa, you have changed the face of fundraisers” said Ceal Bacom, PCC Director of Midwifery, in response to the light heartedness and color of the event.
The Charity Matinee was held at the Mayne Stage, 1328 Morse Avenue in Rogers Park, Chicago. The Maternal Child Health Advocacy Council (MCHAC) is a group of women passionate about maternal child health, and their goal this year is to raise money specifically for the continuation of PCC’s comprehensive breastfeeding programs that are provided free-of- charge to medically underserved new and expecting moms.
Melanie Wolf, President of the MCHAC, founded the Council after experiencing breastfeeding difficulties after her first son was born, almost causing her to completely abandon breastfeeding. “If it weren't for the numerous home visits I received from the program's nurse/lactation consultants, there is no way I would have been able to continue to breastfeed,” Melanie said.
Robert Urso, PCC’s President & CEO is very proud of the support PCC staff were able to provide Melanie. “I am extremely pleased to hear how PCC has impacted our patients such as Melanie,” said Mr. Urso. “Furthermore, I applaud the dedication of the Maternal Child Health Advocacy Council for planning such an enjoyable fundraiser to support PCC breastfeeding services.” Proceeds from the event will support the home visiting services that PCC Community Health Nurses provide to support breastfeeding mothers on the Westside of Chicago.
Andrea McGlynn, PCC Director of Maternal Child Health Services and the event’s Mistress of Ceremonies stated, “PCC uses these visits to encourage families to strive for their best parenting, our nurses are hands-on to support breastfeeding and the reassuring voice at the other end of the phone after we have left the home.”
In 2010, PCC provided breastfeeding support through home nurse visits and peer counseling to more than 2,000 new moms, helping thousands of babies live healthier lives. PCC Community Wellness Center is a not-for-profit community health center network with ten health centers dedicated to providing comprehensive high-quality, accessible primary health care, preventive education and supportive services, specializing in the delivery of comprehensive maternal and child health services. For more information about the 2011 Charity Matinee or PCC Community Wellness Center, please contact Toni Bush at (708) 524-7687. For more information about this topic or to schedule an interview, please contact Toni Bush at (708) 524-7687 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
