On Tuesday, September 17th, members and guests of Greenwood Women Care came together for a potluck social at Courtney Christensen’s farm in Ninety Six. The evening was filled with beautiful weather, delicious dishes, and the warmth of fellowship.

Members brought an impressive arrangement of dishes to share, reflecting the diverse talents of our group. Ms. Carey Givings, our own GWC scarecrow, made an appearance. She will be on display on Main Street for the month of October as an entry in the annual “Uptown Scarecrows” contest.

Courtney warmly welcomed everyone to her farm, expressing her joy in hosting the gathering and inviting everyone to explore the scenic surroundings. Rachel Strayer and Mary Woodiwiss facilitated a fun “get to know you” game, “That’s Me!”, helping everyone discover their commonalities and uniqueness and spark new conversations.

A special thank you goes to Courtney Christensen for her generous hospitality and to all the members and guests who attended the event. This potluck social was a beautiful reminder of the joy of community and coming together!

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!

On Tuesday, July 16, GWC’s Grants Review and Awards Committee hosted Grant Writing 101. This annual workshop was offered at no charge to representatives from local nonprofit staff and volunteers. West Side Baptist Church generously provided comfortable meeting space for a third year.

The Rev. Kyle Richter, Senior Pastor of West Side Baptist Church, offered a warm welcome to our workshop participants and presenters. Mary Woodiwiss, Chair of GWC’s Advisory Board and member of the Grants Review & Awards Committee, extended a welcome on behalf of GWC and made introductory announcements.

Debbie Coesens, Jan Puzar, Kathy Emily, Deborah Natvig, and Donna Foster led workshop sessions designed to strengthen participants’ abilities to write an effective grant proposal, determine outcome measures for assessment of a program or project, and provide appropriate budget details to a prospective funder. These included activities with discussion among participants. Each session leader is a GWC Member who has professional experience in grant writing, assessment, program direction, and/or management.

Coffee and bagels provided by Margaret Conrad were served during the break.

The workshop concluded with a Funders Forum comprised of representatives from local granting organizations. Funders Forum presenters were: Marisel Losa, United Way of the Lakelands; Andria Wendell, Self Regional Community Health; Mamie Nicholson, Self Family Foundation; Mary Dula, Greenwood Women Care; and Mary Woodiwiss, Greenwood County Community Foundation. Each spoke about their organization’s granting process, and funding priorities, and responded to workshop participants’ questions.

This training provided attendees with fundamentals for improving their skills in submitting grant applications, whether in GWC Grant cycles or in requests made of other local or external funders. GWC’s Grants Review & Awards Committee members are pleased to offer Grant Writing 101 as a beneficial way to support our local nonprofits in their missions to serve our community.

GWC’s 2024 Annual Celebration was indeed a glorious one! The entirety of the evening exemplified our theme of GWC: Attitude of Gratitude. Appreciation for our blessings, each other, our organization, our community, and Greenwood nonprofits filled the air. Upon arriving in the Uptown Courtyard for the reception, members were encouraged to write something that they appreciated about GWC. In our program portion in Greenwood Community Theatre, each speaker and segment reiterated cause for gratitude for our organization, this community, and the people and places we share within them.

Let us begin by giving thanks to Betty Adams and Martha Ann Davis of our Membership Committee who welcomed members and guests at our sign in table; followed by heartfelt appreciation to our Social Committee Co-Chairs, Holley Coyle and Courtney Christensen, who, assisted by Cindy Logan and Carol Harley, truly outdid themselves to set a celebratory tone for our special evening. Shrimp, mini-quiches, wraps, petit fours, and more were elegantly served and enjoyed along with a flavorful punch (tinted GWC green), champagne punch, and wine. A veritable feast in the lovely environs of the Uptown Courtyard – thank you to all you made this happen for us!

Greenwood Community Theatre once again extended their gracious hospitality to us and provided a perfect meeting place for our Annual Celebration program. We were graced with the presence of at least 59 of our 150 members, some of whom are also among the nine GCCF Board Members who came, and no less than 30 other guests. Approximately 90 delightful souls were in attendance! The stage was (literally) set by Ryan Hewitt, GCT Artistic Director and, appropriately, was bathed in green light. We all knew we were in for a visual and sensory treat.

Mary Woodiwiss, Chair of GWC’s Advisory Board, delivered her opening remarks in her typical gracious and eloquent manner, welcoming members and guests and recognizing the GCCF Board members who joined us and reminding us “We are150 women, over a 70-year age range, and from many walks of life; 150 women: to build a Granting Fund with, to learn alongside, to get to know, to expand our understanding of ourselves and each other, to help each of us foster an attitude of gratitude.”  Mary closed with, “I truly believe that we come to love what we give attention to. May GWC continue to be a fellowship in which we can foster attention toward this place we call home so that we may learn more about her, give for her flourishing, and grow more abundantly as women and community members.” Truly, inspiring words.

Ryan Hewitt extended a warm and lively welcome to GCT. Mary then presented a children’s book on behalf of GWC in appreciation of Ryan for his help and support entitled, Eyes that Speak to the Stars, authored by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho. This book will be donated to the Greenwood County Library in honor of Ryan and GCT.

Tyra Murray and Morgan Bates of Next Level Lifestyles spoke of their gratitude to GWC as a 2022 GWC Grant recipient and noted that GWC awarded one of Next Level Lifestyles’ very first grants. Tyra also recounted the fact that her prospects in school did not seem very positive, as some of her teachers and school counselors discouraged her from attempting a college education. Tyra overcame their short-sighted expectations and has obtained both an undergraduate and a master’s degree. Her story illustrates the value of investing in and encouraging the development of youth, as exemplified by Next Level Lifestyles. Tyra then introduced Morgan Bates, another Next Level Lifestyles mentor who is helping younger students embrace the tenets of the program. What a beautiful story of “passing it on”!

Door prizes of delicious and decadent treats from Charming Gourmet Sticks, created by Helena Wardlaw, and handmade journals from Main & Maxwell, provided by Laura Bachinski, were delivered by Helena to members guests as our grantee speakers each drew two names submitted by attendees.

All were then reminded of what a wonderful organizational life GWC experienced in 2023 through a slide show filled with engaging images and meaningful quotes about gratitude (with accompanying music) 2023: A Year of Gratitude, created by Laura Stowe and edited by Mary Woodiwiss. You may view this slide show (without the music) here.

Nancy Hart Wicker, mother of Willow, then spoke movingly about GCT and The Penguin Project. This program pairs children and youth with one or more of an array of disabilities with peer mentors resulting in a full, beautiful stage production of a musical. Nancy Hart described how this program has greatly benefitted her daughter, Willow, and provided a brief video of Willow joyously dancing and singing with her mentor. What a gift the Penguin Project is to those performers, their families, and to our entire community! GCT has received three grant awards from GWC in support of this extraordinary program.

Our attendees then raucously enjoyed GWC’s version of  “Family Feud”, created and emceed by Laura Stowe. Special thanks to our two extremely capable and fun GWC members/scorekeepers, Rowan Pallis, and Taylor Haigler. This was followed by a poignant slide show recognition of our seven “Families Within Our GWC Family”, created by Rachel Strayer.

Lauren Boyd and Dana Baca represented Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries, also a three-time GWC Grant award recipient organization. Their 2023 grant was for the development of the MaxFit gym for their young residents and staff. Lauren spoke of how the equipment was specifically selected to help participants deal with anger, anxiety, and trauma. These include rowers, push sleds, ski machines, slam balls, and ropes. Establishing the MaxFit gym was a three-year vision for Connie Maxwell but, in part due to the GWC grant, they accomplished this feat in one year! Dana Baca is a current resident of Connie Maxwell, an enthusiastic beneficiary of the new Max Fit gym, and a recipient of an acceptance letter from The Citadel!

Debbie Coesens and Jan Puzar highlighted GWC’s 2023 grantees and gave an overview of our granting history since our first grant cycle in 2019 in the segment “Granting for Good”, which included a slide show compiled by Mary Woodiwiss. Their inspiring presentation was followed by the fun and organized chaos of our Grant Number Shuffle. $331,874 total to Greenwood County nonprofits through 51 grants in just five years of GWC Grant Awards!

Rachel Strayer, Vice Chair of GWC’s Advisory Board, delivered closing remarks suggesting we make room for more gratitude into our daily lives; “Instead of saying, ‘I have to’, try saying ‘I get to!’  i.e., ‘I get to see my friends and family.’ ‘I get to exercise’, ‘I get to experience new things’”, etc. She incorporated several of the comments of gratitude written on paper slips by members during our reception. Rachel ended her remarks by saying, “Personally, I am grateful for this group and the wonderful work we facilitate in our community. Imagine how much more support we could provide if we DOUBLED our membership! I challenge each of you to bring at least one guest to a GWC event this year. Let’s share our gratitude for what we’re a part of by introducing it to others!”

What a fantastic way to end a great celebration! The entire evening was emblematic of a grateful organization. Thank you to all who worked hard to make this a joyous and fun event for our members and guests!