text: CWJF to host annual fund-raiser luncheon April 30
  The lunch is set to kick off at 9 a.m. April 11. Jo Aman, CWJF fund-raising event chairperson, said the luncheon will be "a fun day instead of just a day of coming to a lunch.
  By CHEVALIER MAYES
  The Cypress Woodlands Junior Forum's 17th annual fund-raising luncheon will be more than a benefit lunch. Guests will be able to stroll the length of the grand ballroom in The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center and peruse the wares of more than 30 merchants, all while helping support various service programs in the community and Houston.
  The lunch is set to kick off at 9 a.m. April 11. Jo Aman, CWJF fund-raising event chairperson, said the luncheon will be "a fun day instead of just a day of coming to a lunch." The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m., but Aman said the public can shop both before lunch and after, up until 3 p.m.
  Aman said local merchants will be selling everything from home accessories to women's clothing and for those who would rather mingle among friends than shop, there will be a cozy coffee area that invites just that.
  CWJF holds only one fund-raiser, the annual luncheon, to raise money for scholarships, their community outreach grants and gifts program, and many other things.
  In the past, the fund-raiser lunches have made it possible for CWJF to give grants to the Montgomery County Women's Center, Goodwill Industries, Montgomery County Committee on Aging, Northwest Assistance Ministries and others.
  Aman said last year the luncheon racked in about $90,000. She said this year the goal is to raise at least $100,000. CWJF has plans to give 40 local high school girls, who have made volunteerism a huge part of their lives, each a $1,000 scholarship, and they anticipate giving $16,000 in grants this year as well.
  "Our whole purpose is to give back to the community," Aman said.
  The annual lunches also give the organization the opportunity to honor individuals who have made huge contributions to the organization. This year's CWJF honorees will be Kim and Chuck Watson. Aman said the couple will be introduced by country music star Clay Walker.
  Kim Watson has been an active member of CWJF since 1989 and is involved in several other organizations. She has been on the CWJF Board of Directors for 10 years, serving as membership vice president, ways and means vice president, president-elect and president.
  Chuck Watson is a Houston entrepreneur in energy, real estate and sports entertainment. The Watsons are founding members of the Cypress Creek Foundation and continually give back to the community in the form of service and scholarships.
  The lunch's keynote speaker, Dr. Daniel Amen, is a brain enhancement expert and best-selling author. Aman said Amen has written more than 20 books about the brain, and said his speech, titled, "Making a Good Brain Better," is based on his book due out this fall. She described Amen as a humorous and informative speaker.
  Gail Wiggins, CWJF, vice president of public relations, said the organization tries to ensure that every keynote speaker will inspire and move the audience.
  "Each year the luncheon takes on a little different feel in that of the speaker," she said. "Last year everybody walked out with a wonderful feeling. The speakers always seem to touch people's lives, and that is what the organization is about as well."
  The theme of the lunch is "Making a Difference." Aman said CWJF already has about 600 reservations made.
  CWJF President Debbie Stanford said it is important the group has the support of the community because this one fund-raiser enables them to support other community organizations and service programs.
  "It is of the utmost the importance," she said. "We use this one thing to fund service programs to serve and reach out to other organizations throughout the year. This is the one chance for us to benefit the area we serve."
  CWJF serves children, families and the elderly in Harris and Montgomery counties. They have been around since 1982 and have about 500 members total. That number includes those who are active, inactive and sustaining.
  Tickets for the luncheon are $75 each and can be obtained by calling Kaye Wykoff at (281) 376-9242. Aman said Visa, American Express and Master Cards may be used to purchase tickets.
  For more information about the Cypress Woodlands Junior Forum, call (281) 379-1391, visit www.cwjuniorforum.com or e-mail email@example.com.
  Chevalier Mayes may be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org.