As the holiday season nears, many are searching for ways to spread Christmas cheer and give back to their community. Saturday, Nov. 11, Zuzu’s House in Marshfield will offer a chance for folks to do both.
“An Evening At Zuzu’s House” will take place on-site at 2203 State Highway Y from 5-8 p.m. The event will offer vendors with holiday decoration and gifts for sale, a chili dinner with a donation and a silent auction. It also doubles as an open house for Zuzu’s House with 100 percent of the day’s proceeds benefitting the organization.
“We’re trying to get this started for girls that are at vulnerable ages from 17 to 21 that are underprivledged,” explained Fay King, a board member of the organization and project manager for the ministry building.
“We will offer them classes and support through those lessons to prepare them for college or to enter the workforce. We’re excited about the progress we’ve made on the facility and this event will raise the money to finish up the electrical and plumbing.”
Zuzu’s House, “A place to call home when you are alone,” was created with homeless girls in mind and wanting them to have a chance at a better life. Offering them opportunities for warm meals, soft beds and kind people to talk to, the Webster County non-profit also aims to focus on learning life skills for daily living, assistance in searching for and obtaining employment, as well as transportation to and from school or work.
According to the website, Zuzu’s house is not meant for long-term living; but a place where they can feel safe and secure enough to begin a part to a stable future. House parents are on-site 24/7 and available to care for clients as if they were their own children.
“Children are my passion and I see the need in our community and I want to help make a difference,” Board member Michelle Slavens said. “It is important to provide teens in our community with the resources when they have no place to go. Every child deserves a wonderful life and it brings joy to my heart to make this become a reality.”
Karolyn Grimes, “Zuzu,” is an honorary chairman of the board. She was a child actress and appeared in 16 films. Throughout the years, she has become the unofficial Ambassador for the beloved film, “It's a Wonderful Life". She played the part of Jimmy Stewart's daughter, Zuzu. The film has a positive impact on many lives. Through her travels for the film, she uses the film's message of hope in her appearances. She has worked with Habitat for Humanity, CancerResearch, Hospice, Parkinson Disease, Alheimers Disease and other organizations that touch people's lives. Karolyn was orphaned at the age of 15, so the Zuzu House holds a special place in her heart.
Zuzu’s House was founded by Marshfield’s Nicholas Inman. The board includes Pastor Bruce Blankenship as President, Sarah Rader as Vice President, Michelle Slavens as Secretary, Ruthie Davis Letterman as Treasurer, Marty Rader, Sarah Inman, Lisa Tindall, Hannah Scarborough as Event Coordinator, and Kenny Grunlien.
Zuzu’s House has recently provided 20 sweatshirts to students in need in the Conway School District, raised $8,300 for their Chicken House raffle, received a grant from the Sertoma of Springfield for a shower project which is 80 percent complete, received a grant from the Marshfield Community Foundation for a new security system to be installed soon, completed and fully funded their septic system and planned a Jeep Run to fundraise on April 27 of 2024.
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