Re “Holiday elegance” photo and caption, Free Press Jan. 4-6 edition:

I would like to make a correction in your coverage of the Richmond Chapter of the Continentals Societies Inc. You stated that more than 200 people attended the 41st Annual Elegance in Black & White Gala on Dec. 29, at a Downtown hotel. In fact, we had more than 350 members and guests in attendance. Our guests included distinguished politicians; national and local business leaders; national officers of the Continental Societies Inc.; visiting members from other Continental Societies chapters in Virginia and neighboring states; and numerous friends, family members and supporters.

As you mentioned, the gala raises funds to support our service programs, including, winter coats for schoolchildren; free dental screenings; Easter baskets for hospitalized children; scholarships for college-bound students; camp scholarships for inner-city youths; and service and educational initiatives that support the health and well-being of families in the Richmond communities. The support of our sponsors, guests and patrons have, each year, allowed us to reach our goals in sponsoring each of these programs.

The Richmond chapter presented Champion for Children Awards to Bon Secours Richmond Health System and Colgate Palmolive Company in recognition of their commitment to philanthropy and their continuous support of the Continental Societies Inc.’s programs on the local and national level.

Bon Secours, through its philanthropy, supports the concept that building a healthy community requires a systemic approach that addresses all basic human needs. As a result, Bon Secours is developing long-term, collaborative relationships with selected neighborhoods in the communities they serve and with local organizations that serve these neighborhoods.

Bon Secours joined other community members in Richmond to develop the Richmond Promise Neighborhood initiative. Through its community outreach initiatives, Bon Secours Richmond Health System supported the Richmond Chapter of the Continental Societies Inc. in its service programs. Our programs include the Health, Education, Employment and Recreation initiative (HEER), the Green Project and other health projects and services offered to children and families in the East End of Richmond. Bon Secours Richmond Health System participated as a Diamond Sponsor for the gala in support of our programs. The Champion for Children Award was accepted by Dr. Sofia Teferi, Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital chief of pediatrics.

Colgate Palmolive Company has partnered nationally with the Continental Societies, Inc. to provide free dental check-ups and other oral services and education to communities in need. Through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, Colgate Palmolive serves more than 10 million children and families. Their continued support of the Richmond Chapter of Continental Societies Inc. has allowed us to provide children in Richmond area communities with more than 1,000 dental checkups during the past five years. Additionally, our partnership has enabled us to offer oral examinations, care, educational information and referrals for dental services to area families.

The Champion for Children Award was accepted by the national program manager of Colgate Palmolive Company’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Program, Dawna Michelle Fields. Colgate Palmolive, along with Ms. Fields, supported the programs of the Richmond Chapter of Continental Societies Inc. as a Gold Sponsor.

The Richmond Chapter of Continental Societies Inc. is extremely grateful to its sponsors, guests, families and friends for their continued support of our programs. Their generosity and backing assures our success!

Beverly Davis, Ways and Means Committee chair

Nkechi George-

Winkler, president

Richmond Chapter

Continental Societies Inc.