LWRWC Donates $50, 625 to CHARITY

A check representing a total of $50,625 was presented to the WC Adoptive Charities: Solve, HOPE, Smart with Heart, and Children’s Guardian Fund at the Annual Business meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2025. In-Kind donations to the charities were valued at a conservative $11,604.

Changing of the Guard

Linda Stone (2024 president) welcomed all members and guests to the first General Meeting of 2025, and thanked all the past 2024 Board Members and asked them to stand and be recognized.

As is tradition, Linda passed the gavel to Cheryl Gross the 2025 LWRWC President. Cheryl presented Linda with an outgoing president’s gift from the Club. New 2025 officers include Marj Beuc(treasurer) and Carol Klein(corresponding secretary). vice president and recording secretary remain unfilled.

Courageous Speakers

The meeting continued with personal experiences of the recipients of each charity.

Solve Maternity Homes:  Peggy Kerwin, Executive Director, thanked the LWRWC and gave an overview of what the mission of Solve is.  Peggy has been involved with Solve for 17 years.  Peggy thanked the LWRWC for their continued support and donations.  Peggy introduced Bonnie, who was homeless when she entered Solve.  She was friends with another student in high school that knew about Solve.  Solve gave her confidence, she received her GED, got a good job, attended college at which she made the Dean’s List.  Attended the Evolve Program.  The guidance and love that she received from Solve enabled her to accomplish these things.

 

HOPE Family Services: Dawn Bryant, has been with HOPE for 24 years.  Dawn thanked the members for their support and donation.  Dawn introduced the members to Lindsay Hartman who is the new director of Development for HOPE.  Dawn introduced Kelly who is an impressive success story who benefitted from the Residential Program and has thrived.  Kelly sought out help from HOPE during the pandemic.  HOPE connected her to resources: living, childcare, legal help.  She lost her job and her car had been totaled.  HOPE was there to help her during this time.  Dawn is now thriving with her children in a safe home and environment.

 

Smart with Heart: Alice from Smart with Heart gave a brief overview of the programs at the facility.  They are always looking for volunteers.  Alice thanked the LWRWC for their donations and support.  Alice introduced their courageous speakers: Leah, Daniel and Jamie.   Jamie, the mother of Leah and Daniel, spoke of the many opportunities available to recipients of what Smart with Heart has to offer.   Her daughter, Leah was born with Cerebral Palsy and couldn’t walk.  With the equine therapy Leah has received from the program, Leah is now walking.   Her son, Daniel, born with limited vision, has also improved with his vision.   Both children, said a few kind words, thanking not only Smart with Heart, but the LWRWC for their generous donations.

 

Children’s Guardian Fund:  Svetlana Ivashchenko, Executive Director, and Kristin Poolman, Program Director. Svetlana and Kristin thanked the members for their continued support and donation to the Children’s Guardian Fund.  Kristin gave an overview of the mission of Children’s Guardian Fund.  Kristin passed out cards made by children in foster care with the art kits that were donated by the LWRWC.