July 2025 News Brief
🎉 Join the Celebration – RSVP Today!
Slip on your dancing shoes and get ready to raise a glass — the Wood River Women’s Foundation 20th Anniversary Celebration is almost here, and it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable evening of fun, flair, and philanthropy!
💃 Spots are disappearing faster than a flapper on the dance floor — secure your seat now before they’re gone:
✨ While we’re tipping our hats to the Roaring ’20s in honor of WRWF’s 20 years of impact, costumes are optional — many guests will be donning their favorite cocktail attire.
Let’s toast to 20 years of giving and celebrate the future in style. See you on the dance floor!
WRWF serves as Grand Marshal at 4th of July Parade
The Wood River Women’s Foundation Grand Marshal debut at the Hailey Fourth of July Parade was a great success! Founding members, former Presidents, current Board members and more joined the fun riding in two horse-drawn wagons down Main Street.
The members handed out candy and festive WRWF ribbons to the kids lining the streets – but demand was certainly higher than supply! Thanks to everyone who cheered us from the sidewalks and to the Valley Chamber for this incredible honor.
We appreciate local news outlets covering WRWF’s activities in the community and bringing more awareness to our mission!
Event Recap
FIELD TRIP TO HAILEY HOT SPRINGS
HAILEY ROCKS CONCERT
WRWF President Jeannie Shroads addressed a packed lawn at the Hailey Rocks concert on July 3. The new performance stage at Hop Porter Park was funded by a 2024 WRWF grant to the Kiwanis club of Hailey. The stage is a great new addition to the park and the concert was a perfect venue to chat with some new members.
FIELD TRIP TO THE ADVOCATE’S THRIVE KIDS
On a field trip to The Advocates’ Thrive Center, members had the opportunity to learn more about the vital services The Advocates provides to individuals experiencing abuse and hardship in our community.
From crisis shelters and income-based transitional housing to childcare and legal services, The Advocates are a lifeline for those in need. Last year alone, they responded to 51 calls for help each day, delivered 7,554 safe nights in their crisis shelter, and provided 521 hours of free legal services. Their case management sessions increased by 134% and they assisted 51 sexual assault survivors.
Last year, through The Attic thrift store, The Advocates also distributed 1,747 free vouchers, valued at $76,042, for essential items like warm clothing, dishes, and furniture. Their crisis shelter has been at capacity for 39 weeks straight, and they continue to receive 48 requests for assistance daily.
With 90 children currently on childcare waitlists, The Advocates are actively expanding their facility to include two new employee housing units and additional space for childcare.
Upcoming Events
Date: Wednesday, July 30th
Time: 5pm-8pm
Location: The Argyros - 120 S. Main St. Ketchum
Partners, spouses, guests, and former grantees are all welcome!
Please register early.
Contact our office if you need assistance.
Canceled registrations will not be refunded.
$50.00 - GRANTEE Admission
$75.00 - MEMBER Standard Ticket Admission
$250.00 - MEMBER Golden Ticket Admission
Date: Thursday, August 28th
Time: 12pm-5pm
Location: J.McLaughlin - 520 4th St E Unit 102
Ketchum, ID 83340
Date: Thursday, September 4th
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.
More details to come...
SeptemberDate: Thursday, September 11th
Time: TBD
Location: Bigwood Golf Course - 115 Thunder Trail, Ketchum
More Information
Date: Thursday, September 18th
Time: 11:30am-1pm
Location: The Hunger Coalition - 110 Honeysuckle St., Bellevue
Sending a warm welcome to our new members:
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Melissa Thompson
I’m thrilled to join the Wood River Women’s Foundation and connect with such an inspiring group of women. Professionally, I am a product design and user research leader at Datasite, where I help transform complex business challenges into innovative, user-centric solutions—work that draws on over 20 years of experience. I’m passionate about building high-performing teams and using data-driven insights to make a real impact, whether that’s in cybersecurity, financial tech or in the nonprofit sector.
On the personal side, I’m happily married to Christian and a proud mom to Conrad, who’s currently in second grade. Our family loves the outdoors—skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking are some of our favorite ways to spend time together. I’m a former yoga teacher, an avid tea drinker (with a soft spot for cozy coffee shops), and I love creating art and traveling whenever I can.
I joined WRWF to help make a difference in our community and to meet other women who are passionate about giving back. In the past, I’ve served on the board of the Festival at Sandpoint and led product development for two different nonprofit funding applications. I’m excited to learn, contribute, and grow alongside everyone in the Foundation!
IN MEMORY
On July 2, 2025, the Wood River Valley lost a beloved humanitarian and impactful WRWF member. Charlotte Dent Unger passed away after a year-long battle with ALS, leaving behind a powerful legacy of service, leadership, and compassion. She was 75.
Charlotte was a woman of great strength—physically, intellectually, and emotionally. Whether she was enjoying Idaho’s great outdoors, passionately engaging with her family, or dedicating time and vision to WRWF, she approached life with generosity and vigor. As a founding member of our Foundation and a driving force behind its enduring success, her influence shaped the organization in many ways.
Charlotte’s impact was both strategic and deeply personal. “She was critical to making the foundation successful,” said fellow founding member Barbara Thrasher. “We were so very lucky to have her as our friend and mentor.” Former President Janet DeBard fondly recalls co-chairing the WRWF Grants Committee with Charlotte. “We created a framework for grants selections that was the model for many years to come,” Janet shared. “That resulted in a friendship that was to last for years.”
The whole WRWF family extends our deepest sympathies to Charlotte’s family and all who knew her. A gathering in remembrance of Charlotte will be held August 23 at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden.
— The Wood River Women’s Foundation
Grantee Events
Mountain Rides – Ribbon Cutting
Mountain Rides invites you to join us for a special ribbon-cutting event celebrating the completion of our Bellevue facility. Enjoy a guided tour, light food and refreshments, and a behind-the-scenes look at how this project will support public transportation in our valley for years to come.
The Crisis Hotline – “Hike for Hope”
September 13th – 8:30am-2pm
“Hike for Hope” is a community event designed to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention, mental health education, and crisis intervention services in Blaine County. It is co-hosted by The Crisis Hotline, 5B Suicide Prevention Alliance, and Love Like Ky. This event promotes hope, healing, and connection while supporting programming that saves lives.
THANK YOU, Sponsors!
We are grateful for our sponsors and extend a hearty WRWF thank you to Graybird Foundation, Zions Bank, and UBS!
THANK YOU TO OUR contributors
Thank you to this month’s News Brief contributors:
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