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Former Lee's Summit Mayor Messerli Honored...
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Former Lee's Summit Mayor Messerli Honored for Helping Domestic Violence Victims
August 28, 2010
By Debbie Van Pelt
Karen Messerli was honored for her service to domestic violence victims
at Hope House’s annual fundraiser, “Hope and All That Jazz” on August
21. Hope House CEO MaryAnne Metheny, who with Barbara Potts presented
the award to Messerli, is in the background.
Hope House, which operates a domestic violence shelter in Lee’s Summit as well as one in Independence, honored former Lee’s Summit mayor Karen Messerli with the Barbara Potts Award last Saturday at their annual black-tie fundraiser, “Hope and All That Jazz.” More than 500 people attended the event, which was held at the Muehlebach Hotel, 1212 Wyandotte Street in Kansas City. “Hope and All That Jazz” is the largest annual fundraiser for Hope House, and this year’s soiree netted $327,000, which will help provide life-saving services to more than 10,000 people impacted by domestic violence in eastern Jackson County.
The $200-per-person evening began with a silent auction featuring almost 200 items, followed by dinner and a live auction. KMBC-TV 9’s Kris Ketz opened the dinner with a welcome before Hope House CEO MaryAnne Metheny and Advisory Board member Barbara Potts presented Messerli with the prestigious award. Messerli later said, “To receive an honor named for Barbara Potts, who for many years has been my role model and mentor was very meaningful, and I am very grateful.” Potts has been widely lauded for her long-term service to numerous community organizations, as well as for her accomplishments as mayor (1982-1990) and council member (1978-1982) in Independence.
Recipients of the Barbara Potts Award are selected by Hope House staff, board and committee members. Libby Connor, Special Events and Public Relations Manager for Hope House, said, “Karen Messerli was the driving force behind the $4 million raised to build the Lee’s Summit (Hope House) campus, and she remained dedicated to the mission of breaking the cycle of domestic violence.” Messerli served on the Hope House Board of Directors for six years and is still an active participant.
Messerli has long been concerned with domestic violence and how it affects Lee’s Summit citizens. After three domestic violence murders took place in Lee’s Summit, Messerli was instrumental in forming a task force to discuss potential solutions. Messerli’s task force was key to the eventual opening of the Lee’s Summit Hope House in a secret, secure location in 2002.
The Lee’s Summit Hope House, like the 27-year-old Independence location, features a 52-bed shelter, early childhood center, therapy space, administration offices and community training facility. Connor lamented that both shelters are full every day. Additional services such as court and hospital advocacy and a free 24-hour hotline are also provided. In June alone, there were 408 calls to the hotline, consuming a total of 71 hours of telephone support. Connor said Hope House is always seeking monetary donations and volunteer assistance to help save lives and brighten the future of domestic violence victims.
Messerli said, “I have never regretted making that phone call, acknowledging that as a community we needed help. That help came in the form of Hope House. I have been truly blessed by my involvement with all the aspects of Hope House.” She added, “I carry the names of victims in my heart.”
The Hope House 24-hour hotline for crisis intervention can be reached at 816-461-HOPE (4673). To make it even easier for victims anywhere in the 816 telephone area code to reach help, they need only remember the word HOTLINE. Simply dialing the word HOTLINE (468-5463) within the 816 area code will get them to someone who can help. Further information about domestic violence and Hope House services is also available at www.HopeHouse.net.
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