GWC Quarterly Meeting, “Giving Together is in Our Genes”, at Greenwood Genetic Center, August 20, 2024

The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) was the hosting venue for the 3^rd Quarterly Meeting of Greenwood Women Care on Tuesday evening, August 20th. GGC is always a wonderful place to celebrate with our GWC Grant Recipients! Our theme for the evening was “Giving Together is in Our Genes!”

Members, guests, and our grant recipients enjoyed a delightful social time. Our Social Committee did a fantastic job of providing us with an array of creative drinks and delicious appetizers.

We gathered in the GGC auditorium at 6 pm for our program portion of the meeting. Mary Woodiwiss, Chair of GWC’s Advisory Board, opened the meeting by welcoming members and guests to this “gem” of a venue. She recognized our five newest members who joined GWC since our May meeting: Barbara Warner, Jeanne White, Jacki Berkshire, Therese Vereen, and Francie Kleckley. Mary also welcomed Greenwood County Community Foundation’s new President and CEO, Stephen Baggett, Jr.

Mary emphasized GWC’s open membership, extended to all women in the community. In describing GWC, she reminded us of her recent e-newsletter article in which she “mused about connections and mentioned the spinnerets of spiders, weaving webs of gossamer. We are in the midst of an evening of spinnerets in action!” Mary gave examples of “connections that are gossamer threads cast out, taking hold, adhering, forming a beautiful web of connection throughout our beloved community…GWC is a complex and nuanced entity, but here we are in a place that knows all about the beauties and wonders of complex design.” Mary then invited Megha Lal to introduce our GCC host for the evening.

Megha spoke about the mission of GGC, providing clinical genetics services, diagnostic lab testing, educational programs, and research in the field of medical genetics in its 50-year history. She introduced Lori Bassett, MS, a certified genetic counselor, and Director of Communications for the GGC.

Lori Bassett explained that GGC utilizes a “Precision Medicine Initiative” which means “the right treatment for the right patient at the right time.” The 4 A’s of PMI are “Access, Analysis, Answers, and Action.” Lori highlighted several cases of patients who were able to get the right diagnosis and receive the right treatment in a timely way.

Peggy Dewane-Pope shared her thoughts on the impact of collective giving with us and described how she heard about GWC. Peggy moved to Greenwood from California, where she was a founding member of a collective giving organization called The Women and Girls Fund and served on the Grants committee. She made numerous, valuable points on the importance and benefits of collective giving circles. These include “a higher level of engagement in giving locally, diverse perspectives regarding unknown needs in the community, social benefits, and interest in human rights.” Peggy truly feels that “giving together is in our genes”!

Peggy then introduced this year’s Grants video featuring our 2023 Grant recipients: Beyond Abuse, Burton Center, Community Initiatives, Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries, Faith Home, Greenwood Community Theater, The Greenwood Promise, Junior Achievement, New Morning, and Tranquility Point. In the video, produced by Rachel Strayer (GWC Vice Chair), each recipient presented an update on their use of the funds received from GWC. (This year’s video may be viewed here.) Margaret Conrad presented a certificate to each of the grant recipients, and Catherine DiBenedetto took a group photo.

At each of our Quarterly Meetings, Greenwood Women Care donates a children’s book to the Children’s Collection of the Greenwood County Library in honor of our presenters. Jody Gables, Children’s Services Coordinator, recommended these titles which were purchased locally with funds donated by GWC members.

Deborah Natvig presented the book in honor of our GWC 2023 Grant Recipients, Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Beth Griffin. Grant recipient organizations are listed on the GWC bookplate in the front of the book. This book tells of a grandmother who helps her granddaughter overcome feelings of uncertainty as her life is changing and she is traveling across the country to live with her grandmother. The grandmother, knowing that change is difficult, encourages the girl to identify ten beautiful things each day. At this special event, GWC celebrated our ten wonderful grant recipients who were awarded funds to implement programs that will create positive change in Greenwood County.

Jan Puzar, Co-Chair of the Grants Review & Awards Committee, offered closing remarks, reminding us that “Giving Together is in Our Genes!”. By combining our individual donations into collective grants, the members of GWC strive to create additional opportunities for nonprofits to improve the wellbeing of local residents, such as those supported through our 2023 grants:

• Staff training relating to serving victims of child abuse
• Addiction recovery services for women
• The expansion of a free medical clinic
• A theater program for children and youth with special needs
• A water therapy program for children and disabled veterans
• Fitness equipment for youth
• Computer tablets for people with disabilities
• College scholarships
• Materials for classes in financial literacy
• Staff training and salaries for family planning counselors

Jan also offered thanks to those who made this event possible:

• the Greenwood Genetic Center for the use of these lovely facilities
• Rachel Strayer, GWC Vice Chair, for producing the Grants Video
• the GWC Social Committee for the lovely reception
• the Grants Review & Awards Committee for planning this meeting

Jan reiterated that new members are always welcome in GWC, and that even if one is on the staff of a nonprofit, there is no conflict of interest on being a member of GWC. She concluded with details about our next two meetings:

• September Social, Fall into GWC on the Farm, Tuesday, September 17
• Kick Off the Vote!, Monday, October 21 (for Members only, as we discuss our voting process)

Another lively meeting was concluded with hopes of seeing many of our members and guests in September!