Advisory Board Members |
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Vice Chair
Communications Committee Co-Chair
Events Committee Chair
Education Committee Chair
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What a wonderful luncheon we had on May 16th! How inspiring it was to look out and see a room full of caring, community-minded women enjoying friendships and reunions. We distributed $73,000 in grants (see below) and last year's recipients told us how they used their grant money. It was heartwarming to hear these stories --- we are making a difference in our community, and will continue to do so!
I'd like to share something that we as a Board responded to this spring. We received a request for a video talking about our beginning as a giving circle and our successes because we were an inspiration for another giving circle formation. See parts of the request below.
"You never know when inspiration might strike. Seven years ago while I was enjoying a winter vacation in Hilton Head with my husband, I came across a magazine article that I carried with me until we returned home to Springfield (Illinois).
It was about a local women's giving circle whose members were pooling their resources to make a bigger impact in their community. The article's message stuck with me because I knew that my friends in Springfield were just as generous and concerned about their community as the fine folks in Hilton Head, and I thought that they'd want to know about this collective-giving concept. Once I returned home, I called the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, to get an insight on starting a philanthropic women's group like this.
At the time, giving circles were relatively rare --- but looking back, we clearly had our finger on the pulse of a significant trend that was underway. Today, more than 400 giving circles operate throughout the country. After seven years of steady growth, our Women's Fund has grown to more than $300,000, and we have awarded $93,000 in grants to support programs improving the lives of local women and children. Individually, very few of us could have made that type of investment in our community. But together, we are cultivating the knowledge and social capital that is driving change today and for generations to come."
Of course we made the video for them, and were proud to send it to Springfield. See, you made a difference not only here but in Illinois as well! Thank you all for your membership!
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Annual Grants Awards and Business Luncheon
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Last week the Colleton River Clubhouse was packed with happily chatting women at our May luncheon. Over 100 women gathered to enjoy a delicious meal and hear about our donations in action.
In the Business Meeting portion, our members approved the proposed Advisory Board of Kathleen Bateson, Chair; Elizabeth Loda, Vice Chair; Laurie Burke (new board member); Marcia Collett; Debbie Hengemuhle; Susan Hooker; Shirley "Peaches" Peterson; Andi Purple (new board member); and Helen Ryan. Kay Black and Margaret McManus were thanked for their service as they rotate off the Board.
Elizabeth Loda, chair of the Grants Committee introduced the 2017 grantees of the theme "Strengthening Options for the Elderly":
- Second Helpings ($5,000): They used the grant in partnering with four agencies to provide 3,600 pounds of produce to residents 75-years-old and up. Food donations were needed especially after hurricane repairs depleted money that would have been available for food.
- Sandalwood Community Food Pantry ($7,000): The grant was used for Totes of Love for Seniors. These special tote bags were used to carry food provided by Piggly Wiggly and Long Cove residents.
- YMCA of Beaufort County ($8,500): The grant was used to purchase gym equipment and to start Senior Shape Up and Fit over Fifty classes. In 2017 the Y served 944 seniors. Their goal was three new classes, and they started six.
- Low Country Legal Volunteers ($9,000): Their grant was used to provide free legal assistance in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties to needy people aged 55 and older. The focus was on family law, using volunteer attorneys. The grant enabled the writing of 33 simple wills and 17 power of attorney documents.
- HELP of Beaufort ($10,800): With the help of the kitchen at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, HELP serves 18,000 mobile meals annually.
- Meals on Wheels ($15,700) serving Bluffton, Hilton Head, and Sun City: Our grant paid for weekday meals for 17 clients for one year.
Click here to see 2017 grantee presentations.
Also, in 2017 we made a $15,000 donation to Memory Matters in honor of our 15th anniversary.
Elizabeth then announced the grants for 2018 under the theme "Addressing Women's Health, Wellness and Justice":
- Neighborhood Outreach Connection ($2,000)
- Bluffton/Jasper VIM ($3,500)
- Women of Faith and Power Ministries ($5,000)
- Good Neighbor Free Clinic ($6,000)
- OSPREY Village ($8,000)
- Hopeful Horizons ($10,000)
- Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Lowcountry ($15,500)
- Hilton Head VIM ($10,000)
- YMCA of Beaufort ($2,000)
A final check for $10,000 was given to the Hilton Head VIM organization in memory of Dr. Jack McConnell, the founder of VIM.
Not only does our Grants Committee review all grants submitted, they do follow-ups to make sure the funds are used for the purposes they were given. Thank you to them for all their many hours on our behalf.
Thank you to Peaches Peterson and her committee for planning this event. Thank you to the staff at Colleton River for making us feel so welcome.
A special THANK YOU to our illustrious leader, our chair, Margaret McManus. We deeply appreciate her contributions to our Board and to our membership.
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2019 Grants
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The Grants Committee is interested in your thoughts and suggestions for future grant themes. They will be compiling a list of options. Please let Elizabeth Loda know what community needs you would like WIP to address with our grantmaking.
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Welcome New Members
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Three new members have joined since our April newsletter. We wish a warm welcome to:
- Brenda Cale of Sea Pines Plantation
- Linda Fiore of Sea Pine Plantation
- Delane Marynowski of Sea Pines Plantation
We currently have 136 active members.
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Updated Member Directory
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An updated copy of our new membership directory is available in PDF format and
 will print just like the "hard copy" paper directory. To access the directory, click
here.
If you need to update your contact information, please notify
Bailey Schorr at Community Foundation of the Lowcountry (843.681.9100).
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Sincerely,
Susan
and
Marcia
Susan Hooker and Marcia Collett
WIP Communications Co-Chairs
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