By Robyn Holder, Women’s Fund Advisory Committee Member
December 10, 2018
On November 9, 2018 over 250 community-minded individuals started their weekend early and helped raise nearly $27,000 at the Women’s Fund 7th Annual Power of the Purse. The Power of the Purse (POP) is the largest fundraising event for the Women’s Fund with the purpose of creating a deeper understanding of a woman’s ability to be philanthropic.
This year’s event was a rousing success! 56 purses were auctioned off, raising $9,333 to go to the Women’s Fund. We honored three women with the Women in Philanthropy awards, inducted 16 new Dream Team members and 13 individuals pledged – an event record!
Many in attendance asked, “What do the Dream Team funds support?” Great question! The Dream Team was founded originally with the goal that 1,000 individuals would donate $1,000 to establish a $1 million endowment. This endowment makes possible the grants that the Women’s Fund makes each year – $25,000 in grants averaging $2,500 each are made to local organizations which educate, assist, and uplift women and girls.
 One heart warming story emerged from this year’s Power of the Purse. One of the two Karen Snider Women in Philanthropy Award honorees, Robyn Holder, was joined at the event by her family – husband Tom, sons Tom, Jr. and Jim, daughter Mary Kate Grimes and daughter-in-law April.
“My son-in-law, Jason, who is a 5th grade teacher, is the only one missing! His wife, my daughter Mary Kate, is actually the person who introduced me to the Women’s Fund! She participated in TFEC’s Emerging Philanthropist Program and was invited to the Women’s Fund annual breakfast and invited me to join her. After I heard all of the wonderful and amazing things the Dream Team does, I joined! And this year, my husband, Tom, was so impressed with the Women’s Fund and our Dream Team that he gifted memberships to Mary Kate and April! We now have a family of Dream Team women in the Holder family!” Perhaps you’d like to honor a woman in your life with a membership in the Dream Team? You can make a donation of $1,000 at once, or pledge $16.66/month for 5 years. It’s a gift that keeps giving – both to your honoree as she meets and interacts with promising women in our area – and to the organizations that the funds assist. Click here to make your gift today! |
Women in Philanthropy Awards
At this year’s event, the Women’s Fund honored three women. Dr. Robyn Holder of Full Circle Vitality Group and Ann Pehle, President of AAUW Carlisle both received the Karen F. Snider Women in Philanthropy Award. Jeshanah McLeod, Marketing Director at Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz received the inaugural Rising Philanthropists Award.
Congratulations to all of our winners!
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Dr. Robyn Holder |
Ann Pehle |
Jeshanah McLeod |
These awards are given to individuals who are outstanding contributors of their time and talent to benefit the lives of women and girls in our area. The 2018 Karen Snider Women in Philanthropy honorees joined the ranks of 17 other award recipients. The Rising Philanthropists Award for young women aged 21-35, made its inaugural award at this year’s Power of the Purse.
