GWC Social, “Two Are Better Than One”, at Emerald Trading Co., September 12, 2023

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Despite threats of gusty winds, thunderstorms, and hail, nearly forty hearty souls gathered, some with tasty treats in hand, to enjoy Greenwood Women Care’s second social of 2023 on September 12th.

GWC members and guests were graciously welcomed by Dana Riley, proud proprietor of Emerald Trading Company. Beautifully restored and remodeled and featuring three wall size murals of historic Greenwood, Emerald Trading Company was the perfect place to enjoy fellowship and a delicious repast prepared by GWC’s members whose last names begin with A – L. Dishes including potato casserole, grits, orzo salad, pinwheel sandwiches, chicken, and meatballs, along with delicious desserts, were enjoyed by all!

A station to assemble products provided by one of GWC’s 2022 grant recipients, The Period Project, into “period packs” was set up with many GWC members joining in the project. Karen Dudley-Culbreath, Executive Director of The Period Project, spoke to the group. She noted that one out 4 women lives in “period poverty” determined by such factors as rural locale or economic deprivation and has difficulty obtaining essential monthly supplies.

All attending departed under a clear sky, more enlightened and nourished in both spirit and body, and convinced, once again, that GWC is indeed “The Place To Be!”

New Members Welcome Dinner, August 29, 2023

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For the first time in GWC’s history, our Membership Committee hosted a second informal dinner to welcome women who joined GWC this year. GWC is delighted to have 18 new members in 2023! Four of these 18 attended this dinner and seven were able to come to our Soup Supper last February.

Our New Members dinners provide an opportunity to extend a personal welcome, give an overview of the activities of our GWC Committees, and convene a smaller gathering for women new to GWC to meet other members outside the context of our larger Quarterly Meetings and Socials.

We shared homemade appetizers, sandwiches, muffins, salads, and desserts and spent time visiting with new and longtime friends. Mary Woodiwiss, Chair of our Advisory Board, Rachel Strayer, Advisory Board Vice Chair, and Betty Adams, Co-Chair of the Membership Committee introduced activities of the six standing committees within GWC.

It was a wonderful time to enjoy excellent fare and each other’s fine company!

Special thanks to Betty Adams for hosting us in her lovely home, Membership Committee members for providing delicious food and drink, and our new members for sharing this evening together!

GWC Quarterly Meeting, “Giving is in Our Genes”, at Greenwood Genetic Center, August 14, 2023

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Greenwood Women Care (GWC) members, 2022 grantees, and guests met on Monday evening, August 14, to celebrate 2022’s grant recipients. Our theme was Giving is in Our Genes! and in keeping with the theme we were decked out in denim as we gathered at the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) for our reception and program.

Our Social Committee members outdid themselves once again with a lovely array of wraps, salads, and petit fours. The room was filled with laughter and, walking through the venue, you could hear women meeting and greeting, catching up, telling stories, and sharing life from this past summer.

At 6 o’clock, we headed to the auditorium for our program. Mary Woodiwiss, Chair of GWC’s Advisory Board, gave opening remarks of welcome and noted that we now have 145 members! She also asked our guests to stand, and everyone was given a warm and welcoming round of applause.

Mary expressed gratitude to be gathering at the Greenwood Genetic Center, “a place of uncommon service and distinctive excellence.” Just as GGC is a place of caring, Mary emphasized that Care forms a full one third of our name. “As a diverse body of women from many and varied life and professional experiences, GWC is a real-life lab for forming bonds in new and invigorating ways with women we may have missed thus far in our community life. It is our care for this community which draws us together and our care for each other that enriches us. Our hopes for our community and ourselves are aspirational, but they are also grounded in real actions and refining experiences. We come together to learn and give alongside each other, and we actually enjoy doing it!”

Through GWC in 2022, we have learned, given, and grown together. Mary was excited to lead us in celebration of this journey and in honoring our 2022 grantees. She invited Megha Lal, GWC Member and Chair Elect of the Greenwood Genetic Center Foundation Board, to the podium. Megha graciously introduced Cady Nell Keener, Executive Director of the Greenwood Genetic Center Foundation and GWC Member. Cady Nell welcomed us to GGC and presented an inspiring video highlighting the history and ongoing work of GGC, a nonprofit organization which is a center of research and service in the field of medical genetics. To learn more about the Greenwood Genetic Center (and view truly inspirational videos) visit ggc.org  .

Next, Margaret Conrad, Member of GWC Grants Review and Awards Committee, recognized our wonderful 2022 grantees! Rachel Strayer and Caleb Kidd Coy prepared a video entitled Honoring the 2022 Grant Recipients. We were inspired to hear from representatives of the following eleven organizations: Alston Wilkes Society, Arts Council of Greenwood, Crossroads Pregnancy Center, Food Bank of Greenwood County, Greenwood Cancer Fund, Greenwood Pathway House, Greenwood Performing Arts, Healthy Learners, Humane Society of Greenwood, Next Level Lifestyles, and The Period Project. Please view Honoring the 2022 Grant Recipients here.

We celebrated as our grant recipients came to the stage to receive special cookies decorated with GWC and DNA images and pose for a group photo by Catherine DiBenedetto, Co-Chair of our Communications Committee.

Charlene Kish, Member of GWC Grants Review and Awards Committee, presented the book to be donated to the Greenwood County Library Children’s Collection with a special bookplate noting our 2022 grantees. Book donations given at our Quarterly Meetings in honor of our presenters are titles selected by Jody Gable, Children’s Services Coordinator, and purchased locally. A World of Praise was written by Deborah Lock and illustrated by Helen Cann. The book is described as “a global hymn to God’s abundant love and care for his creation.” GWC is proud to dedicate this book to our eleven grant recipients who, in so many diverse ways, have demonstrated love and care for people (and animals!) in our community.

Jan Puzar, Co-Chair of GWC Grants Review and Awards Committee, closed our evening, thanking all our members, grantees, and guests for celebrating that Giving is in Our Genes! She presented a great summary for each of our grant recipient organization’s mission. The services provided to the Greenwood community through the 2022 grants encompass:

Homeless shelters
Nutrition education
Children’s healthcare access
Cancer meds
Youth mentoring
Offender services
Parent education and counseling
Art therapy and education
Personal hygiene supplies
Medicine for shelter dogs
A Celebration of Gullah Gechee Culture

She closed the evening by once again thanking the Greenwood Genetic Center for use of their beautiful facilities, Rachel Strayer and Caleb Kidd Coy for producing the Honoring the 2022 Grant Recipients video, the GWC Social Committee for the lovely reception, the GWC Grants Review and Awards Committee for planning the meeting, and all who joined in our celebration by wearing denim because truly: Giving is in Our Genes!

GWC Summer 2023 Newsletter

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GWC Grant Writing Workshop, “Grant Writing 101”, July 25, 2023

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GWC hosted our annual workshop, “Grant Writing 101”, on Tuesday, July 25. The workshop was offered at no charge to 18 registrants from local nonprofit staff and volunteers. West Side Baptist Church generously provided the meeting space.
Christopher Timmons, Associate Pastor of West Side Baptist Church, warmly welcomed all workshop participants and presenters. Mary Woodiwiss, Chair of GWC’s Advisory Board and member of the Grants Review & Awards Committee, extended GWC’s welcome and made introductory announcements.

Workshop sessions were conducted by Jan Puzar, Kathy Emily, Donna Foster, and Kerry Ignatovich, GWC Members who have professional experience in program direction, grant writing, assessment, and management. These presentations included discussion of a homework assignment to help participants focus on their organization’s funding priorities, writing an effective grant proposal, and outcome measures for assessment of a program or project.

During the workshop, we enjoyed a break for coffee and bagels.

The workshop also featured a Funders Forum comprised of representatives of local granting organizations. Each spoke about the granting process, funding priorities, and other aspects of their grantmaking as well as responding to workshop participants’ questions. Presenters were: Cyndi New, Self Regional Community Health; Mamie Nicholson, Self Family Foundation; Justo Chalaire, United Way of the Lakelands; Sally Kauffmann, Greenwood Women Care; and Mary Woodiwiss, Greenwood County Community Foundation.

This training provided attendees with fundamentals for improving their grant application practices, whether for GWC Grants or requests made of other local or external funders. GWC’s Grants Review & Awards Committee members believe that Grant Writing 101 is a valuable way to be of service to our local nonprofits as they carry out their missions for the benefit of our whole community.

GWC Quarterly Meeting, “Serving the Community Through the Arts”, at Greenwood Soup Kitchen, May 16, 2023

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GWC members and guests enjoyed a very informative quarterly meeting on May 16, 2023 at the Greenwood Soup Kitchen, located on Phoenix Street. Attendees were greeted and treated to a variety of refreshments.

Rachel Strayer, Vice Chair of GWC, welcomed everyone to the program portion of the meeting which was entitled “Serving the Community Through the Arts”. After her welcome and introduction of new visitors, she invited Debra Coleman from the Programs & Education Committee to introduce the first speaker, Norm Fawcett, chairman of the Board of Directors of Greenwood Soup Kitchen. Norm described the history of the Soup Kitchen and where it stands today. Operating since 1987, the Soup Kitchen has moved several times and is now housed at the United Community Care Center. It serves around 75 hot meals each day, Monday-Saturday, for an average of 20,000 meals annually. Immanuel Lutheran Church provides lunch on Sundays. Anyone can enjoy a meal regardless of their circumstance. There is a “no questions asked” policy. The Soup Kitchen relies totally on community support and has an $80,000 annual cash budget. Their largest fundraising event is Empty Bowls.

Debra Coleman then introduced Barbara Warner who is with the Greenwood Area Studio Potters (GASP) and chairperson of the Empty Bowls fundraiser. In 2009, GASP members wanted to have an event in which they donated bowls to the soup kitchen and then sold tickets to have soup served in those bowls as a fundraiser. The first event raised $6,000.  This idea has evolved into a yearly fundraiser and continues to sell out each year. Members of GASP begin creating bowls in April/May and make approximately 900 bowls each year. The Greenwood County Medical Alliance also helps by arranging for the soup to be donated by local restaurants. The Medical Alliance also provides all desserts. For the fall fundraiser, the soup kitchen sells 550 tickets, some being take-out and some for dining in. All monies raised are pure profit since everything is donated. The Soup Kitchen made over $36,000 in 2022! Empty Bowls will be held this year on October 18-19 and tickets go on sale the day after Labor Day. Tickets may be purchased by calling Norm Fawcett at 864.227.3421.

After a question-and-answer session, Lisa Smith made book presentations to the speakers to thank them for their presentations and their dedication to helping the people of Greenwood. Books given in honor of speakers are donated to the Greenwood County Library Children’s Collection.

Deb Maschoff, Co-Chair of the Membership Committee, next introduced a new idea on how to “get the word out” to the community when speaking about GWC. The committee developed a business card with talking points on it which offers suggestions on how to share the good things that GWC does, and which can help start a conversation with others.  The more the word is spread about how GWC helps our community, the more we can grow our membership. GWC currently has 148 members, with one new member joining us at this meeting!

In closing, Laura Bachinski, Chair of the Programs & Education Committee, described the responsibilities and activities of the P&E committee and asked for anyone interested in helping that committee to please contact her. She then thanked the speakers and the Social Committee for the lovely evening and offered a special thank you to Norm Fawcett for allowing GWC to use the Soup Kitchen as the meeting venue.

Celebrating Connections, May 2023

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For the month of May, in which we celebrate our mothers, GWC wanted to celebrate the multi-generational family members among us. Nine of our members participate in GWC with their mother or daughter(s). Two are grandmother and granddaughter to each other and two are mother- and daughter-in-law.

It’s a delight to see these women find another meaningful connection as GWC members together!

What do they appreciate about GWC? Rachel Strayer and Rowan Pallis answered, “It’s a good feeling to know that at every gathering of this organization we’re each surrounded by people who walk the talk when it comes to caring about the world around them.” Debbie Coesens and Emma Grace Iseman observed, “GWC provides an outstanding example for learning, giving, and growing.” Tara Smith, who engages in GWC with her mother-in-law, Cindy Smith, reflected, “I am very proud to be a part of Greenwood Women Care, especially because it is comprised of a diverse group of women doing great things for our community. To be able to share that with one of the most important women in my life, my Mother-In-Law, is extra special.”

Why did they join GWC? Terri Bacon explained, “Carson (Penney) and I joined GWC to learn more about our new hometown, to find out where the needs were, who was meeting them, and how we could support them. GWC delivered on all these and continues to do so!” She added, “We hope Greenwood Women Care becomes a legacy organization for all kinds of women-to-women connections!” Peggy Adams and daughters Margaret Conrad and Courtney Christensen shared, “We love GWC’s dedication to a better community, the energy of the members, and the connections among members. We are excited to be part of Greenwood Women Care!” And Vickie Chandler and Susan Albon spoke for all of us when they remarked, “Because Greenwood is home.”

Happy Mother’s Day from Greenwood Women Care!

 

Greenwood Women Care Awards 2023 Women’s Health Grant!, April 2023

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Greenwood Women Care (GWC) is pleased to announce the recipient of the GWC second biannual Women’s Health Grant. Helping Hands Women’s Organization has received funding to provide bras, inserts, head coverings, post-surgical garments, and wigs for those women who cannot afford them after treatment for cancer.

Debra Moton, Executive Director of Helping Hands Women’s Organization and owner of  Naturally You Boutique, was so surprised, happy, and excited when told her newly formed nonprofit had been granted $6,700 that she hardly knew what to say other than a big thank you and how much the award would help so many in need. Moton went on to express how hard it is for women who need special supplies after a lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy and cannot afford them. The after-effects of these conditions often diminish a woman’s self-esteem and can lead to depression and other emotional stress. Helping Hands Women’s Organization will serve those in financial need to help make them feel whole again. Helping Hands Women’s Organization works closely with The Cancer Center of Self Regional Healthcare to provide these needed services.

Please see the Index Journal article about this award here.

The GWC Women’s Health Grant was first offered in 2021. The grant supports holistic care and health education to improve the physical, mental, or social health and well-being of women in our community. It is funded by a Field of Interest fund endowed by Jim and Denise Medford and held by the Greenwood County Community Foundation. In conclusion of an application process that required a letter of intent followed by a full application with supporting information, the grant award was finalized. The grant will be offered again in 2025.

Members of this year’s GWC Women’s Health subcommittee are: Anne Craig, Alice Hodges, Sally Kauffmann, Marilyn Murphy, Jan Puzar, Karen Smith, Charlene Kish, and Mary Woodiwiss.

Congratulations to our award recipient , Helping Hands Women’s Organization, and all the best to you in your service to women in our community!

Marilyn Murphy, 2023 GWC Women’s Health Subcommittee Chair

Greenwood Women Care Publishes Five Year History!, March 2023

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History of Greenwood Women Care: Five Years and Growing is our very own publication that chronicles, in words, photographs, and appendices, the first five incredible years of GWC: from the founding research and aspirations of Mary Woodiwiss who has led GWC’s development to a thriving, dynamic organization of 145 women who have awarded over a quarter of a million dollars in the form of 41 grants to 31 local Greenwood 501(c)(3) nonprofits in our first four annual granting cycles.

History of Greenwood Women Care: Five Years and Growing was written by Laura Stowe and edited by Catherine DiBenedetto, Co-Chairs of our Communications Committee. The project, a year and a half in the making, was supported by GWC Communications Committee members Debra Coleman, Pacquitta Coleman, Joy Draper, Sandy McCord, Rachel Strayer, Stephanie Turner, and Susan Williams. It is lovingly dedicated to Mary Woodiwiss who received the first copy on March 13 at Greenwood Community Theatre during our “GWC: The Place to Be!” Annual Meeting. Copies of the book were presented to Greenwood County Community Foundation President Jeff Smith on Tuesday, April 11.

You can view our electronic copy here. If you would like to order a hardcover copy of this 35-page volume ($20 each), please contact Laura Stowe, lstowe13@gmail.com. It’s a wonderful way to share the good word about GWC!

GWC Annual Meeting, “GWC: The Place to Be!” at Greenwood Community Theatre, March 13, 2023

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GWC members and guests gathered on Monday evening, March 13th, to celebrate our history and look forward to an exciting future. The weather turned out to be a bit colder than expected for an outdoor reception! The Arts Center of Greenwood stepped in and graciously offered their beautiful indoor space for our opening gathering. Our Social Committee once again impressed with an incredible array of savory and sweet treats, along with delicious punch (with champagne and sans champagne options!). The fun continued as our attendees moved across the courtyard to Greenwood Community Theatre. Our GWC colors were prominently displayed as members and guests took their seats in three sections marked by light green, white, and dark green balloons. What did that signify? The group was about to find out!

Mary Woodiwiss, Chair of the GWC Advisory Board, gave opening remarks and welcomed members and guests. Fifteen new members have already joined this year. New members were asked to stand. Guests were then welcomed and encouraged that they are always welcome: “We never run out of space or food!” Next, visiting board members of our parent organization, Greenwood County Community Foundation (GCCF) were introduced. Herman Fletcher (Board Chair) and Jeff Smith (Executive Director) stood with fellow board members and were recognized and thanked for their ongoing support.

In her opening remarks, Mary looked back over the past five years of generous granting, community building, educational programming, and the development of lasting friendships. She expressed both gratitude and excitement for what has been accomplished and for what our future holds. She gave us a fun analogy of GWC being the baby of GCCF. Over the last five years, we have gone from being a baby to an adolescent blossoming into young adulthood. Mary concluded, “I believe that GWC will persist as a mature, steady woman, resilient and strong and effective, contributing to the flourishing of this beloved community for years to come.”

Next, we heard inspirational stories from GWC members, recounting how GWC has impacted our community and how membership has encouraged and strengthened them personally.

Teresa Goodman and Caroline Dennis shared “A GWC Story of Collaboration”, the story of their initial introduction to one another in the fall of 2021 at the GWC Quarterly Meeting. Teresa had a vision for establishing a Toddler Learning Center to offer quality childcare as a stepping stone to bridge children to future academic and personal success. But at that time she could not find a suitable space to host this Center. What she did not know was that Caroline Dennis, Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, was sitting in the audience and also had a vision. Their church was large and had ample space for a children’s ministry, but now the classrooms and playgrounds were generally empty on weekdays. Caroline continued, “Since that night, Teresa and I have been introducing our organizations to one another and taking the long journey together from dream to reality. We look forward to the arrival of children and families soon into this beautiful Center that is at the intersection of need and provision.”

Summer Booker, Treasurer of the GWC Advisory Board, shared her testimonial of the impact GWC has had on her personally, “A GWC Story of Change”. Summer is a Charter Member of GWC, having joined shortly after moving to Greenwood. She shared that from the start she jumped in to work with “an amazing group of women who continued to pursue new ways of building up membership and to spread the message of GWC and the power of collective giving.” She reflected on the theme of change: how GWC changes lives, especially of the women involved, as we learn, give, and grow together. She concluded: “If you are already in GWC, stay with us. Try something new. Join a committee. Give of yourself. You are the most precious part of this organization. Be the change Greenwood needs. Receive the change for your blessed part in it.”

Laura Stowe, Co-Chair of the Communications Committee and Co-Secretary of the GWC Advisory Board, then took the podium to announce the exciting completion of a written history of GWC. Available electronically here and in print, GREENWOOD WOMEN CARE: Five Years and Growing, is a history in words and pictures. She thanked GWC and the members of the Communications Committee for all their work and support in bringing this project to fruition. Laura then read the dedication of the volume and presented the first copy to Mary Woodiwiss.

As a fun way to reflect on our history, we played a game of GWC Jeopardy! Rachel Strayer was our host for a 16-question competition. We had three teams marked by those light and dark green and white balloons. The game was hard fought, and at the end we had a tie between the two green teams. The prizes were sweet (chocolate!) and fun was had by all.

Next, Alice Hodges, Executive Director of Meg’s House and GWC Charter Member, shared “A GWC Story of Community” which included her thoughts on community during Women’s History Month. She encouraged us, as we celebrate GWC’s own history and Women’s History Month, to “connect other women to this phenomenal group, forge connections, embrace community, and help make dreams come true.”

GWC member Lisa Smith then took to the stage to give us a bit of Shakespeare (well, sort of!). We were enraptured by the soliloquy, penned by Charlie Stowe: To Committee or Not to Committee (that is the question!). Committees anyone? Here they are, with their chairs: Communications (Laura Stowe and Catherine DiBenedetto), Grants Review & Awards (Jan Puzar and Debbie Coesens), Social Committee (Holley Coyle and Courtney Christensen), Governance & Finance Committee (Summer Booker), Programs & Education (Laura Bachinski) and Membership (Deb Maschoff and Betty Adams).

As the evening drew to a close, Debbie Coesens, Marilyn Murphy, and Sally Kauffmann gave a presentation that highlighted GWC’s granting mission. Thus far, GWC has conducted four granting cycles with a total of $256,800 given in 41 grants to 31 organizations! Debbie noted, “Through our collective granting, we can support and strengthen the worthy nonprofits that serve our community every day!” Sally reviewed how each grant cycle works, from publicizing our process, holding information meetings for applicants, and conducting a grant writing workshop, to the review and voting process, and finally to the best part: informing our grant recipients of their awards. Marilyn highlighted a special subcommittee (open to all GWC members) that has been formed to administer a Women’s Health Grant, established at GCCF through the generosity of Jim and Denise Medford, and dedicated to assisting Greenwood County agencies engaged in women’s health related issues. In 2020, GWC was honored to be entrusted with the role of granting these funds. The first grant, which is offered bi-annually, was awarded in 2021 to The Greater Greenwood United Healthcare Ministry. The 2023 grant recipient will be announced early in April! Sally concluded this presentation: “Granting is truly at the heart of GWC! Thanks to each and all our members and supporters for making this possible!”

Laura Bachinski, Vice Chair of the GWC Advisory Board and head of the Programs & Education Committee, gave closing remarks. She announced our new Advisory Board Executive Committee officers for the next two years, who were confirmed on the previous weeks ballot: Mary Woodiwiss — Chair, Rachel Strayer — Vice Chair, Laura Stowe and Catherine DiBenedetto — Co-Secretary, and Summer Booker — Treasurer. She encouraged us to continue our journey of learning, giving, and growing together as we join with friends and neighbors to make a difference in Greenwood!

A special thanks to Laura Bachinski for door prizes from Main & Maxwell and Mary Woodiwiss for door prizes from her kitchen, and to Rowan Pallis for helping distribute door prizes throughout our event. Donna Foster, Betsy O’Keefe, Rosemerry Franks, Bobbie Fulton, Betsy Adams, and Rowan Pallis were the lucky names drawn over the course of the evening.

One final word: our next Quarterly Meeting, “Serving the Community through the Arts”, will be held on Tuesday, May 16th  at the Greenwood Soup Kitchen. More information to come. Hope to see you there!