Longtime CCFC member, Patti Hempenius, was honored for her 25 years as an active member of CCFC. She was presented with a crystal "gift box," representative of the time Patti and many current trustees volunteered at the Gift Box in French Hospital, prior to the establishment of CCFC. Patti was also presented with a memory book, filled with 25 years of pictures and heartwarming notes written by members and trustees.

In Patti's words:
"There are not enough words to describe how blessed and honored I felt yesterday upon the presentation of the absolutely beautiful Memory Book of my tweny-five years as an Active Member of CCFC. Mary Ciernia was my sponsor in 1998 and she said CCFC was an organization that I would grow to love! She was absolutely right! The more you participate, the more you want to participate. The friendships you make are not replaceable, they are forever! And the number of children at risk that we have served over the years is immeasurable! The organizations that we have granted funds to are all very thankful for our extremely gifted organization of active, caring women, who love what we do in order to accomplish our goals! It does take a village!"