Rochester, MI – (January 11, 2016) – Continuing the tradition of a party with a purpose, community members joined The Women’s Fund in a toast to the holidays with wine and hor d’oeurves on December 8th at Mercedes-Benz of Rochester.
The celebration was for a good cause, the proceeds will support The Women’s Fund endowment, providing grants and scholarships for women in need throughout Oakland County. The Women’s Fund assists women in dire need and work with local non-profits to empower women to strengthen their lives through focused programs and academic scholarships.
The event, chaired by Women’s Fund Board members Cindy Nicholaou and Lori Roscoe, had a record turnout of supporting and caring community members in attendance. The festivities took place in the unique setting, among eye catching new vehicles, at Mercedes Benz of Rochester, thanks to the generosity of the dealerships owner CJ Ghesquiere and general manager Doug Stanley.
With soft music being played in the background by pianist Shawn Gary and delectable appetizers provided by Ryan Kosch of The Lafayette Grande in Pontiac and Traveling Chef Catering, guests mingled and socialized before coming together to hear from Women’s Fund President Maria Trahan.
Trahan took a few moments to share the successes of the fund over the past year, providing $25,000 in grant and $3,000 scholarship funding as well as an additional $10,000 commitment to Rochester Area Neighborhood Houses’ Capital Campaign. In closing, she shared the fundraising efforts underway to provide future funding to women in need, noting a record number of grant requests submitted this year indicates the need that is still out there.
Trahan invited a special guest speaker, a recipient of a 2014 grant to Rochester Area Neighborhood House (RANH), to share her story. All were moved, as she courageously shared her journey. Truly bringing home the reason for the evening, she shared her very personal story of struggle and frustration, the help she received through RANH, the new beginning she is enjoying in her new job and her positive attitude as she moves into the future.
“After our speaker finished, some guests even stepped forward to offer an opportunity to assist with future employment for her. It was a wonderful way to usher in the season of giving. It is because of the generous support we have received over the past 15 years, including from many individuals in the room, women in need have been able to get the assistance they require. Each grant starts with a personal story and our goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of others through our grants. There is so much more that we want to do to meet those needs and by increasing the endowment, we will increase our capacity to address those needs” said Trahan.
There is still a tremendous need for assistance and the Women’s Fund is committed to increasing their capacity for giving through increasing their endowment. The Women’s Fund is a permanently endowed fund owned and administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester. Through grant-making, the Fund provides ongoing and future support for programs that aid women while preserving and managing its donations in perpetuity by spending only the fund’s income and annual earnings.
Since 2000, The Women’s Fund has grown from a shared idea into a reality through the efforts of caring women. Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. In addition, individuals can choose to become Women’s Fund Partner with a gift of $1000 or more, donated at one time or over time – 4 or 10 years, and add to the legacy of caring.
For more information, please visit their website at www.womensfundrochester.org or for questions please call (248) 812-0763 or email womensfundrochester@gmail.com. You can also follow them on Facebook at “The Women’s Fund.”