News for McHenry County Turning Point
Denise Brown to Speak at Benefit Dinner
Sister of murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson
Denise Brown will be speaking in Crystal Lake, addressing a dinner hosted by the Professional Business Women of Illinois. Brown has spent the last 12 years speaking out about domestic violence, addressing groups across the country and appearing on national and local radio and TV programs. Brown gave herself this assignment after her sister was murdered: “I made a promise to Nicole so that she did not die in vain, and to keep this promise I’ve dedicated all my energies to making our communities safer through education and awareness, sharing programs that work, helping pass legislation, and challenging us all to stand up for what is right.”
Brown will be speaking at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn on Friday March 7th. The event will benefit Turning Point, McHenry County’s advocate for victims of domestic violence. Also speaking will be Carolyn Cox, a Bull Valley Resident whose husband, B.J., was sentenced to 20 years in prison for Carolyn’s attempted murder and aggravated domestic battery. State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi & Prosecutor Nichole Owens will also speak about domestic violence prosecution in McHenry County.
The Professional Business Women of Illinois (PBWI) (formerly the Mchenry-Cook Professional Women’s Group) is dedicated to providing a gateway for professional and personal growth through continuing education and community involvement. More information on the group is available at WWW.PBWI.net.
Tickets to the Denise Brown Event are $100 and include dinner, speeches & door prizes and are available by calling PBWI at 847 888 8551. A limited number of sponsorship packages which include program ads, signage and tickets to a private VIP reception with Denise Brown are also available.
Ladybug Donations 
Lakewood Collector hopes to break Guinness Book of World Record
Sheri Gartner of Lakewood has been collection Ladybug items all her life. She’s not sure how many she has, but she thinks she has more than enough to land her in the Guinness Book of World records. The current record holder is a woman in Germany who has 916 items and Gartner thinks she might have as many as three times that many.
After touring the new Turning Point shelter for victims of Domestic Violence, Gartner realized that she might have an opportunity to not only secure her place in the record books, but to help the residents of the shelter, also. "I decided I didn't want to break the record just for myself. I want to be able to support them." She’s collecting pledges from volunteers who are helping her to count, catalog and document her collection. She will submit the evidence to the Guinness Book and await their decision.
Turning Point’s mission is “To confront violence against Women & Children in McHenry County ” and Gartner sees her record- breaking as “Ladies helping Ladies.” Her collection has received lots of attention, including an appearance on WGN’s Morning news. She expects the Guinness Book decision in January.
People wishing to donate to Gartner’s Ladybug campaign should call Turning Point at (815) 338 8081. Or, click on the DONATE NOW button here on the website and under the DESIGNATION section put the word “LADYBUG.”