After a two year hiatus thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Gardner Women’s Circle of Giving has come back stronger than ever, raising $25,225 for six local non-profit organizations in just the last year.
The following organizations received funding from the Circle this past year: Cancer Support Fund of Central Massachusetts, Winchendon Community Action Committee, Gardner Department of Emergency Housing Mission, Voices of Truth, Empower Children for Success, and High Ridge Harmony Farm: Animal Assisted Healing and Wellness.
In January 2022, the co-founders of the Circle passed the baton to a newly established leadership committee that includes Lynn Sayarath, Theresa Thompson, Shannon Ouellette, and Tracy Hutchinson to continue the work of supporting local women, children and families in the community through philanthropy.
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Circle relies on volunteers to support local organizations
Sayarath, one of the Circle’s leaders, said the organization runs completely on volunteers and the support of business within the community.
“Without all of the help from these people we can’t do what we’re doing,” she said. “I really see us as the vehicle that helps people give back to our community and helps people learn about these local organizations that are doing really good work which they sometimes fly under the radar.”
Since the founding of the circle in 2014, these women have collected a total of $171,000 for local non-profits. Sayarath said the Circle has also help make local organizations like the Gardner Community Action Committee become more visible in the community.
“I’ve been a member of the Women’s circle dating back several years, I am constantly learning new things about different organizations that are doing really great work in our community,” she said. “I think that’s another really important part in the work that we do is make these organizations marketable to people in our community.”
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More about the Circle
Now with 185 members, the Circle aims to reach 200 members by their next quarterly meeting on June 7, which will be a celebration of the Circle’s first year since its relaunch.
At the quarterly meetings, each member brings $50 to donate to a local organization of choice. Sayarath said at the next meeting, which will be at the Templeton Fish and Game club at they estimate to collect $9,250 and it will be split between two organizations. During each meeting members vote on what local non-profit is awarded funding, a majority rules.
In addition, there will be a diaper drive to support the Care Central VNA & Hospice diaper pantry in Gardner at the June meeting.
“It really leaves you feeling completely energized when you attend these meetings as you mingle with other women and feel good about doing things in our community,” she said.
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