By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

“Eat, Drink, Make a Difference” is the message for the third annual “Empty Place at the Table” to benefit Jana’s Campaign. Founders Curt and Christie Brungardt started the campaign to curb gender-based violence five years ago, shortly after their daughter Jana Mackey died as a result of domestic violence in 2008.

Christie said this year’s fundraiser, scheduled for Nov. 1, will serve as a celebration of how far Jana’s Campaign has come in the five years — and a reminder of how much is left to be done.

She said the organization has learned a lot through the years and is more aware than ever before of the prevention needs in communities across the state and nationally.

“Our goal in Jana’s Campaign is all about prevention and education of gender-based violence and the more we have learned … the more we see the need for a great deal of prevention and  education and that is what we really will be celebrating on Nov. 1,” she said. “The fact that some of the programs we have identified over the years as needed, we actually are doing those now, so whether it’s education in middle schools or high schools or on college campuses, there are just a number programs we will be celebrating on Nov. 1.”

Brungardt said she and Curt are being asked to speak across the country, and the highlight so far was being asked to speak at Ivy League Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., this summer.

The Nov. 1 fundraiser begins at 6 p.m. at the Robbins Center at Fort Hays State University and includes cocktails, dinner, live music and auctions. For more information on the fundraiser or to buy tickets, call (785) 656-0324 or visit www.janascampaign.org.