September 2025 News Brief
President’s message
Cause no summer lasts forever. Just blame it on September – Allstar Weekend
What a summer it has been! ☀️💃 From our place of honor at the Fourth of July parade, to the Roaring 20s fun of our 20th Anniversary Celebration in July, and even a golf scramble to cap it all off, you helped make this season a true celebration.
Yes, it is true that no summer lasts forever…but don’t blame it on September! 🍂 While the days are getting shorter, the joy, connection, and generosity of our WRWF community will continue to carry us through the seasons ahead. 💜 We still have our Annual Meeting later this month, one more Meet & Mingle at Zenergy in October, and our Annual Holiday Party to look forward to.
This NewsBrief is jam packed with new member introductions, fun events, and volunteer opportunities. Enjoy!
With gratitude,
Jeannie Shroads
President, Wood River Women’s Foundation
WRWF Updates
20th anniversary celebration
The 20th Anniversary Celebration in July was a huge success! Members went all out with their Roaring 20s attire and celebrated 20 years of WRWF impact. 🎉 Thank you to our amazing corporate sponsors and raffle ticket donors who made the 20th Anniversary Celebration so special!
✨ Fiamma
✨ Christopher & Co
✨ Pioneer Saloon
✨ Top Notch Fine Furnishings & Design
✨ Graybird Foundation
✨ Warfield Distillery
✨ Tundra
✨ CK’s Real Food
✨ Albertson’s
✨ Styled Twice
✨ J. McLaughlin
✨ The Grill at Knob Hill
✨ Panache
✨ Advanced Data & Electric
And heartfelt gratitude to our member sponsors — Barbara Thrasher, Esther Ochsman, and Jill Grossman — your generosity is inspirational. Lastly, we have so much appreciation for the Celebration Event Chairs Jenni Riley and Kathleen Eder. Your energy, creativity and joy made the event a success and we cannot thank you enough.
We’re Hiring
Join us and help grow the power of women’s philanthropy in the Wood River Valley! Review the full job description and apply today!
Growing our Future
The 20th Anniversary Endowment Campaign is well over halfway to our goal of raising $800,00! By growing the WRWF Restricted Endowment fund, we are collectively ensuring that we can keep doing what we do best—supporting local nonprofits, organizing impactful programs, and strengthening our community. The Endowment helps cover behind-the-scenes essentials like administrative support and technology, making sure everything runs smoothly while the mission of collective giving continues to thrive.
Let’s keep the momentum going and get even closer to our goal before the Holiday Party. That would really be something to celebrate! 🎉
Event Recap
We had a fabulous time at our recent Sip & Shop event at J.McLaughlin, where shopping met generosity in the best way!
Guests enjoyed a relaxed afternoon browsing J.McLaughlin’s beautiful collection—all while sipping refreshing beverages, savoring delicious bites, and catching up with fellow supporters. The best part? 10% of all purchase sales were donated to WRWF, directly supporting our mission and programs.
A very special thank you to Sarah Howe, store manager, and her wonderful team for their warm hospitality and thoughtful touches that made the event feel extra special. From the inviting atmosphere to the fantastic merchandise and service, it was truly a treat!
We’re so grateful to everyone who came out to support WRWF through this stylish and spirited gathering. Your presence—and your purchases—made a difference.
Noble Goals and Nine Holes
We’re thrilled to share that our recent Golf Scramble & Meet & Mingle event was a resounding success!
⛳ 40 golfers hit the greens for a fun-filled afternoon of friendly competition, camaraderie, and perfect late-summer weather. The energy and enthusiasm were contagious from the first tee-off to the final putt.
🌟 The fun didn’t stop there—our Meet & Mingle event that followed saw a fantastic turnout! It was wonderful to see so many new connections being made and familiar faces catching up in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
A heartfelt thank you to Tammy Davis for joining us and taking the time to share more about the vital work of the Crisis Hotline. Her words were both inspiring and a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we support one another.
We are also incredibly grateful to our gracious host, Lyndsay Lyle, owner of Bigwood Golf Course, for welcoming us and providing such a beautiful venue for the day’s events.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this event such a memorable one. We look forward to seeing you at the next M&M!
Upcoming Events
Date: Thursday, Sept 18th
Time: 11:30am-1pm
Location: The Hunger Coalition
110 Honeysuckle St
Bellevue, ID 83313
Date: Friday, Sept 26th
Time: 5pm
Please refer to your email with the ballot sent on 9/11/25.
Date: Monday, Sept 29th
Time: 3pm-4pm
Location: Attend either via Zoom or at Zions Bank
311 N. Main St. Ketchum, ID 83340
Annual WRWF member meeting to elect Board members and Officers, approve 2024 financial statements, and approve 2024 Annual Meeting Minutes.
Date: Tuesday, Sept 30th
Time: Noon-1:30pm
Location: Zions Bank
Community Conference Room - 2nd Floor
311 N Main St
Ketchum, ID 83340
For those who have joined WRWF in the last 12 mos.
Please register so we know to expect you!
Date: Tuesday, October 7th
Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm
Location: Zoom
For those who have joined WRWF in the last 12 mos.
Please register so we know to expect you!
Date: Thursday, October 9th
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Location: Zenergy Health Club and Spa
245 Raven Rd
Ketchum, ID 83340
Sending a warm welcome to our new members:
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Cate Wood
Cate brings a wealth of experience in development, with a background that includes both frontline fundraising and administrative support in higher education at Point Loma Nazarene University and Santa Clara University. She also contributed her expertise to the nonprofit sector through her work with NOLS, deepening her commitment to mission-drive organizations.
Originally from Santa Barbara, Cate recently relocated to the Wood River Valley from Truckee, CA. She currently works for the St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation, where she supports efforts to improve health and well-being across the community.
Her role allows her to combine her professional experience with her passion for service, helping advance healthcare access and innovation in the valley.
Cate holds a BA in Psychology from Point Loma Nazarene University, which informs her thoughtful approach to relationship-building and community engagement. She joined the Wood River Women’s Foundation because of her passion for philanthropy and her enthusiasm for connecting with women who share a commitment to making a difference. She sees the Foundation as the perfect entry point into her new home and is excited to help enhance its impact.
Outside of work, Cate enjoys exploring the outdoors, whether hiking, skiing, or spending time with her golden retriever, Mookie. She is energized by the natural beauty of the area and looks forward to deepening her roots in the Wood River Valley.
Kristen Bryson
I was inspired to join the Wood River Women’s Foundation by a wish to connect more deeply with the place I call home.
I love that WRWF empowers local organizations through collective giving, I believe it is a powerful way to support meaningful work happening in our community.
Professionally, I work with Lloyd Construction in Ketchum, where I wear a few hats, handling both administrative and marketing responsibilities.
Outside of work, I enjoy working in my garden, mountain biking, or picking up a good book.
I’m excited to be part of a group of women who care deeply about the Wood River Valley.
Naomi Ellison
I learned of WRWF a few years ago from a member at a wine dinner. My husband was a member of 100 Men Who Care and I learned of the many needs here in the Valley. Joy Prudek recently encouraged me to join.
I am a retired dentist, graduate of UCLA School of Dentistry. Philanthropy has always been a part of my life. I have been on and chaired UCLA Dental School Board of Counselors, Women and Philanthropy, and served on UCLA Foundation. I have given to the Music Center, YMCA, and served in the California Dental Association and American Dental Association.
I enjoy golf, pickleball, hiking, painting, clay work, travel, and dinners and conversations with family and friends.
Grantee Spotlight
We wanted to share a quick update on what the Women’s Foundation is making possible. Last week, Meghan Christie and I from the Wood River Land Trust’s development team met with our counterparts at The Hunger Coalition, Krista Felton and Caroline Willis. Together, we exchanged learnings around events and CRM management.
We enjoyed lunch in The Hunger Coalition’s Community Kitchen and had a meaningful discussion about how our teams can support one another with knowledge sharing and best practices (photo attached). This kind of collaboration is a great example of what Wood River Women’s Foundation grants make possible among our local nonprofits.
Thank you for helping foster these connections!
You are welcome Meg, Meghan, Krista and Caroline!! Thanks for sharing 😀
Grantee Events
SVCI Dancing Fundraiser
Step onto the dance floor and experience the joy of ballroom dancing with the Sun Valley Culinary Institute! ✨ Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just looking to try something new, this event is the perfect way to connect, move, and have fun. Bring a partner or come solo—everyone is welcome! Join us for an evening filled with music, rhythm, and community spirit. Don’t miss the chance to learn new steps, meet new friends, and create unforgettable memories. 💃🕺
Trailing of the Sheep – Volunteer Recruitment
WE NEED EWE! JOIN THE FLOCK!
From Laura at Trailing of the Sheep:
The volunteer sign-up calendar for the 2025 Trailing of the Sheep Festival is now “live” with many positions to choose from again this year. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this one-of-a-kind cultural celebration that brings our community together – all while having fun!
THANK YOU, Sponsors!
We are grateful for our sponsors and extend a hearty WRWF thank you to Graybird Foundation, Zions Bank, UBS, and Panache!
THANK YOU TO OUR contributors