Join us for Dinner! - April 14, 2026
Enjoy great food and a fun evening all while supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

We invite you to join us for the 14th annual Wildly Gourmet Dinner & Wine Tasting, presented by Labadie Auto Company! The evening will feature a five-course meal created by local chefs paired with delicious wines. Enjoy our live and silent auctions and exciting raffles as we celebrate the recipient of the Alice & Jack Wirt Embodiment of Hope award.

Stay tuned for more details as the event committee begins planning the evening. Do you have a knack for or interest in planning special events? Join the event committee! Contact our Director of Development at lrichardson@bawc-mi.org or 989-686-2251.

Auction Donations

Have a business or skill you would like to promote while also supporting services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence? Consider donating an item to our silent and live auctions! Below are some ideas for great auction donations:
• An item that represents your business
• A gift basket filled with themed or business specific items
• A gift certificate to a local store or restaurant
• Tickets to a sporting, art, or entertainment event
• An overnight stay at a hotel or vacation rental
• Handmade items

All donors receive recognition in our event program given to each event attendee as well as on our online auction website. Click the link below to download the auction donation form

Sponsorships

A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels. Click the button below to view the list of opportunities or click here to donate online today. Want to build a personalized sponsorship? We would be happy to help! Contact our Director of Development at lrichardson@bawc-mi.org or 989-686-2251.

Sponsorship Flyer

Auction Donation

Our 2026 Gourmet Menu and Team of Chefs

Appetizers
Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Bruschetta served with Micro Greens, Chef Lonnie Paser, Artisan Urban Bistro

Tropical Quinoa Shrimp Salad with Chili Lime Tortilla Chips, Chef Dan Hessling, Real Seafood Company

Plus! Enjoy our signature Edible Centerpiece at each table

Entrée
Orange Ginger Glazed Pork Loin with Roasted Broccoli & Coconut Rice, Chef Brandon Kerkau, DoubleTree by Hilton—Bay City

Dessert
Assortment of Gourmet Cupcakes, Chef Heather Ebelt, The River Rock

We are excited to recognize a long-time friend and volunteer of the Bay Area Women’s Center as this year’s Alice & Jack Wirt Embodiment of Hope award winner - John Janes.

John applied to become a volunteer at the Bay Area Women’s Center in April of 2015. As a retired mental health professional holding 20 years of experience, he wanted to get involved with a cause that would allow him to keep using his skills to support others.

On his volunteer application to BAWC, he stated his strengths as “calm and very good receptive listening skills.” It quickly became apparent that he was a great fit to operate the crisis hotline and respond to the needs of shelter residents. For over ten years, he has volunteered a few hours nearly every single week to operate the hotline. If you have ever called the agency and heard a very deep voice on the other end of the line, you have spoken with John.

His dedication to providing support and advocacy to survivors of domestic and sexual violence is unmatched. John presents the perfect mix of empathy and compassion while also actively listening and problem solving with survivors.

Over ten years of volunteer service to a single agency is commendable, and we are immeasurably grateful for John’s commitment. Congratulations on a well-deserved award!