M.B. Dillon
Special to The Michigan Catholic

BLOOMFIELD HILLS -- Television actress Cindy Williams of Laverne & Shirley fame will appear at a benefit luncheon and book signing at 11:30 a.m. May 14 hosted by The Good Samaritans at The Heathers Club in Bloomfield Hills.

Williams has just published Shirley, I Jest! A Storied Life, an engaging account of her rise from blue-collar roots to unexpected stardom. Half the comedic duo of the hit 1980's comedy TV show, Williams shares tales from her wild and lively career in show business.

"All proceeds raised will help the poorest ZIP code in the country, which is in Detroit," said Mia Materka, president of The Good Samaritans, an all-volunteer organization committed to supporting and promoting the activities of Holy Cross Children's Services.

Holy Cross Children's Services "is one of the largest private, not-for-profit providers of children's services in Michigan," Materka said. "The service portfolio includes residential campuses and group homes, charter schools, foster-care homes, supervised independent living programs, day treatment and a variety of community-based services."

Holy Cross Children's Services is the managing partner for the Samaritan Center, Michigan's largest one-stop social services and employment center, located on the east side of Detroit in the former Mercy Hospital complex on Conner Avenue near Interstate 94.

"Ms. Williams is a devout Catholic," Materka said. "She is gracious enough to be taking time from her busy schedule to be with us while she fulfills a stage performance commitment at Meadow Brook."

Tickets for the luncheon are available at benefactor levels. "Cindy Williams Fan" tickets are $60 each. "Laverne DeFazio" tickets are $75, and "Shirley Feeney" tickets are $100. All guests will receive a copy of Cindy Williams' book.

Checks/reservations are due Friday, May 8, payable to The Samaritan Center. To order, send your name, address, telephone number and email address to Holy Cross Children's Services, 8759 Clinton Macon Road, Clinton, MI 49236, Attention: Karen Rupley.

The Heathers is located at 900 Upper Scotsborough Way, Bloomfield Hills. For more information, call Karen Rupley at (517)423-7556.