Columbus Iron Works and Convention Center

801 Front Ave
Columbus GA 31901

Phone: 706-649-6362 ext. 1247
Contact: Brandy Medlin
Email: [email protected]

For nine years, the women of the Pastoral Institute’s Auxiliary have organized this luncheon because they believe in the program it supports. Event proceeds benefit the Hope Fund (formerly Samaritan Fund); in turn, children and families in the area’s homeless shelters receive free or low-fee counseling that they otherwise could not afford. In 2012, over 2000 hours of counseling were provided through the generosity of Hope Fund donors.

About the Speaker
The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. Abducted at the age of 14 on June 5, 2002, Elizabeth’s captors controlled her by threatening to kill both her and her family if she tried to escape. After being held prisoner for 9 months, police safely returned Elizabeth to her family on March 12, 2003. In 2011, Elizabeth triumphantly testified before her captor and the world about the very private nightmare she suffered; her captor was convicted. 

Now a strong advocate for protecting children from abuse and abduction, Elizabeth created the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to help missing and abused children. Some of her work includes collaboration with the Department of Justice on a survivor’s guide to empower children who have experienced similar tragic events. She also promotes the National AMBER Alert. While Elizabeth continues to be vocal about child safety legislation, she also reminds everyday people of the role we can each play in finding missing children by being vigilant. 

Elizabeth Smart says that recovery is different for everyone. She has moved forward with her life and demonstrates daily that there really is life after a tragic event. She is currently a senior at Brigham Young University studying harp performance.