80th birthday bash raises $4,600 for Guide Dogs

Pearl Beach resident Beverley Lapacek celebrated her 80th Birthday recently with friends, family and community members at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall.

A large crowd of over 100 filled the hall to enjoy a massive afternoon tea prepared and hosted by her many friends, which doubled as a fundraiser for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.

They enjoyed a film reminiscing Lapacek’s life in song and family memories of her amazing life in community services and fundraising activities.

Lapacek has been involved in a number of Pearl Beach community groups, including managing the Pearl Beach walking group, The Plodders, for many years.

She has also been a keen member of the Craft Group, enjoys laying Mahjong, walks dogs for locals who are on holidays and is a member of the Pearl Beach Singers.

The Birthday Bash was a fundraising party for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Central Coast Community Group.

The group held a merchandise sale, managed by Central Coast Support Group President, Merran Rudder, with help from client Angela Allen and her dog Piper.

The afternoon was introduced by current Guide Dogs Chief Executive Officer, Dale Cleaver, who showed a short video highlighting the work undertaken by the team in breeding, training and eventually graduating the wonderful working dogs.

The party raised $4,500 for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.

“I marvel at our community, and don’t think any ‘village’ does it as well as we do,” Lapacek said.

“It takes a village to raise a child, but it takes a community to make a village.”

Source:
Media release, Nov 9
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT