Gresham Area Service Clubs Need Your Help
Change is the one certain constant in life and when change is strategic and thoughtful, it can be a powerful thing.
100+ Women Who Care East County has been a powerful positive force and its mission, from inception, was to help our Community with resources while being mindful of the amount of time and energy spent raising those funds and to make sure they get deployed where there is an immediate need.
To be fair we are a little biased. A number of the ladies that work for Gresham Ford are active members of the 100+ Women Who Care in East County. All thanks to our longtime customer and friend
Sue Piazza. Her name may sound familiar. Sue is currently a Gresham City Council member as well as a founding member of 100 Women Who Care- East County. She read about other groups across the country and saw how this simple and easy approach could serve the Gresham community. With the help of a handful of friends that included Bess Wills, General Manager, and Annette Freetage, Digital Marketing Director both from
Gresham Ford the group gained momentum.
Recently the Steering Committee met and considered options and the pandemic continues to squash all hopes to regain normalcy. It was agreed that until the group can meet in person and function at 100% a modified strategy will be in place to provide support to organizations that the pandemic has negatively impacted.
No Steak Fry. No Teddy Bear Parade. No Problem.
While there are many groups and associations affected by the pandemic the 100 Women Steering Committee were struck with the announcement that neither the annual Rotary Steak Fry or the beloved Teddy Bear Parade will take place in the 2021 calendar year.
Alone, these events are great Gresham area traditions but more importantly, they acted as the largest fundraising mechanisms for these civic organizations. Both the
Soroptimist International of Gresham and the
Rotary Club of Gresham used the funds for scholarships to lift up local area children and residents.
Gresham Rotary Scholarship Awards
Previously the Rotary Club of Gresham annually awarded scholarships to local Gresham Area students heading to Mt. Hood Community College from each of the area high schools including: Sam Barlow, Gresham High School, Sandy HIgh School, Springwater Trail, and Centennial High School. These Rotary Scholars were recognized with lots of positive attention and congratulated at a Rotary event. These awards events also provided much value to further lifting up students for all their hard work and accomplishments.
It’s hard not to consider the impact a pandemic is having on our next generation. Not only are they missing their friends and teachers, they are also missing out on the power of public recognition and appreciation. While 100 Women can’t throw lavish celebrations or negate the need for social distancing and masks we can help fund raise.
Education is Vital
Many local Gresham Area residents lost their jobs due to the pandemic. This sudden and lengthy impact has many Gresham area residents considering expanding their educational endeavors. Pursuing careers that are in demand will help keep our community more resilient in the future too.
Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls
The Soroptimist International of Gresham group has utilized the funds from the annual Teddy Bear parade to fund scholarships for women and girls in the Gresham area for years. Cancelling this beloved annual event has equated to significantly reduced funds for this program. Soroptimists believe when they help young girls they are reaching them early enough to help them stay safe and reduce the likelihood of future crisis events in their lives. Putting girls on a path to help them realize their dreams with carreer opportunities and overcoming obstacles moves them on a path straight to achieving their goals.
No Problem. 100+ Women Who Care Will Help
100+ Women came up with a great idea to spread the word about the need uncovered by cancelling these annual events. At the same time, providing an opportunity for the community to step up and help continue the much needed assistance to the children in the Gresham area.
On October 7, 2021, they will be meeting at the Center for the Arts Little Theater at 333 N. Main Street at 6:15 P.M. The meeting will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. with representatives from Rotary and Soroptimist’s giving background and information on their missions. It will also be live streamed on 100+ Women Facebook Page. Everyone – that means everyone is invited to join. If you have enjoyed the Steak Fry or the Teddy Bear Parade, we ask that you consider a donation. Stay tuned for “how to” next week.
