November 2019 News Brief
Wood River Valley Hospice and Palliative Care House
Grantee Spotlight – Hospice and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley
Lisa Wild, Madalyn Mincks, and Leslie Mincks connect for family planning
Our community deserves a safe, welcoming, compassionate, and knowledgeable space to receive empathetic and competent instruction from trained professionals. The Hospice and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley house is often where families and individuals meet to discuss a variety of caregiving concerns, including grief and bereavement and advanced care planning. The house also provides a meeting space for various support groups associated with HPCWRV. WRWF granted $35,000 to complete much needed repairs and improvements to the building to ensure the safety and efficacy of the space.
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Grantee Spotlight – St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation
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St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation
St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation recognizes that health crises and hospitalizations may create financial hardships for patients and their families. The health needs of patients can quickly compound when they can’t afford critical medication or equipment to manage their medical conditions, lack the resources to pay for emergency and/or necessary dental treatment or lack the ability to get to doctors’ appointments. These escalated health needs often lead to health crises, including emergency room visits and hospitalization, which could otherwise be avoided. WRWF granted $15,000 to the Keith Silverton MD Compassionate Care Program, which was created to address some of the financial hardships faced by patients and their families, especially those who are uninsured or under-insured.
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Blaine County Education Foundation Scholarship Fair
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Students at the Blaine County Scholarship Fair
The Wood River Women’s Foundation congratulates our 2019 Grantee, the Blaine County Education Foundation (BCEF) on the success of its first Blaine County Scholarship Fair held on October 23 at the Community Campus.
Students learn about scholarship opportunities from volunteers
Parents and students filled the gym from the minute the doors opened. Several WRWF members welcomed the opportunity to “woman” the scholarship tables, greet attendees and provide written materials. There were more than sixty scholarships, with eight alone worth over $100,000. Congratulations Kristy Heitzman for organizing such an amazing event!
WRHS Senior Class President Jake Gorham celebrates the success of the first annual scholarship fair with Heidi and Bob Reeves of Redfish Technology, who established a scholarship
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Swiftsure Ranch – Spooky Barn Tour and Haunted Barn BBQ ____________________________________
Scenes from the Spooky Barn Tour and Haunted Barn BBQ
The Wood River Women’s Foundation congratulates our 2017 grantee Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center on its Halloween fundraiser. Swiftsure proved it was nothing if not flexible when organizers “swiftly” replaced the planned Blazing Pumpkins fundraiser with the Spooky Barn Tour and Haunted Barn BBQ. Heavy snows fell on Saturday, October 19, 2019, prompting a cancellation of the originally planned event.
Young revelers at the Spooky Barn Tour and Haunted Barn BBQ
The ensuing Spooky Barn Tour and Haunted Barn BBQ was held on Friday, October 25. The barbecue and chili available for purchase were both warm and delicious. Congratulations on a wonderful event!
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Senior Connection – Cocktails for a Cause
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Cocktails for a Cause attendees
The Wood River Women’s Foundation congratulates our 2017 Grantee, the Senior Connection, for another successful Cocktails for a Cause event. A crowd of 200 people enjoyed the sold out event, which was held at the Gail Severn Gallery. The goal was to raise paddles over old-fashioned cocktails while pledging monetary support for the Senior Connection, which touches the lives of seventy percent of the 4,226 people over age 65 in Blaine County. A large contingent of WRWF members served as volunteers and raised their own paddles for this important cause.
Honoree Leslie Silva
WRWF member, Leslie Silva, received a plaque for her service as a Senior Connection Board member. Congratulations Senior Connection on a truly worthwhile event!
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October –Education Forum on Aging and Elder Care
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Shawna Wasko of the Office on Aging at the College of Southern Idaho
On October 29, about thirty WRWF members heard from one of our region’s top experts on aging and elder care. Shawna Wasko, Public Information Officer for the Office on Aging at the College of Southern Idaho, shared much eye-opening information at the forum, which was held at the Senior Connection in Hailey.
Participants learn about the challenges facing a growing senior population
One in six seniors struggles with hunger and poor nutrition. One in six baby boomers age 60 or over will develop dementia in the form of Alzheimer’s Disease, and half of people over 85 have Alzheimer’s. Women who have experienced the loss of a spouse or partner are especially vulnerable. Studies suggest that the high incidence of dementia in American society is related to “life style choices” related to food, exercise, body weight, smoking, drinking and other things we presumably have control over. Ms. Wasko spoke extensively about the burden on caretakers who manage family members with dementia at home. She emphasized that caregivers need financial support and relief to avoid succumbing to stress. The senior population in our region is growing at a rate of eight percent per year. Almost seventeen percent of Blaine County residents are over age 65. While the senior population grows, federal funding for home and residential care for the elderly has decreased, and the burdens on families with infirm older people have increased.
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October – Fall Orientation Brunch
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WRWF members and guests gather at the Orientation Brunch
The Wood River Women’s Foundation had a fabulous turnout for our annual Fall Orientation Brunch held on October 23, 2019. Seventy members and guests attended this special event at the beautiful home of WRWF member Mindy Meads.
Delectable bites at the Orientation Brunch
The Fall Orientation Brunch gives us an opportunity to welcome our newest members, become better acquainted with fellow members, learn about Committee and Board activities, and celebrate the success of a recent grantee.
Emily Olsen of the Pesky Learning Center
We appreciated hearing from Emily Olson of the Lee Pesky Learning Center. She gave an inspiring presentation on the positive impact the grant has had on students who participate in programs at the Learning Center. We want to thank the Membership Committee for making this a very special morning for everyone!
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November Meet and Mingle – BOHO Lounge
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WRWF members and guests mingle at the BOHO Lounge
On Wednesday, November 6, approximately fifty members and their guests celebrated friendships old and new at the BOHO Lounge’s “unconventional space for the human race.” We literally took over the place and made it come alive! Everyone enjoyed the unique vibes of the BOHO Lounge. Two of the ten guests who attended joined WRWF on the spot. Welcome, Suzanne Hausner and Lisa Riddiough! Overall, it was a great success!
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November -Boulder Mountain Clayworks Pop-up Event
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Creating and painting a bowl for “Empty Bowls”
At a special pop-up event on Wednesday, November 13, Boulder Mountain Clayworks opened its doors to volunteers to create and paint bowls that will support the Boulder Mountain Clayworks and Hunger Coalition fundraiser “Empty Bowls,” which is scheduled for January 2020. Modeled after the international grassroots Empty Bowls Project, the purpose of “Empty Bowls” is to raise awareness about the issue of hunger in our community and provide critical funds for the relief of those facing food insecurity.
Volunteers donate their time to create and paint bowls at Boulder Mountain Clayworks
WRWF was a part of this important non-profit initiative, providing drinks and snacks to volunteers who generously donated their time.
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Impact Team Task Force Report
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Task Force members Nancie Tatum and Susan Larson lead a focus group discussion
Last spring, the Grants Committee shared that it would be taking a fresh look at the impact component of our grant process with the goal of ensuring that we continue to deliver outstanding stewardship ( May News Brief ). The Impact Team Task Force was created and quickly got to work ( August News Brief ). On November 12, Task Force members Julie Brewer, Christina Cernansky, Susan Larson, Jeanne Liston and Nancie Tatum met with the Board of Directors to present the results and recommendations acquired from Member and Nonprofit Focus Groups conducted this summer, and to report on best practices information acquired from other women’s collective giving organizations around the country, particularly as it pertains to how their respective Impact Committees review grants. The Board will now review the Task Force recommendations; additional information will be shared with the membership once the Board has had a chance to digest the wealth of information this initiative provided. Thank you to all the members and nonprofit Executive Directors who participated in this key strategic project. And a huge thank you to the members of the Task Force who took on this assignment, scoped out the work, completed the project and delivered the results in record time! — Nancie Tatum
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2020 Membership Renewal Update
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This year has gone by faster than ever kicking off with our grants process in January/February, the Winter Education Forum with Teresa Younger from the Ms. Foundation for Women, our sold-out Annual Meeting and Grants Celebration in August, education panels that have furthered our philanthropic knowledge, new member orientations, the Strategic Planning launch, welcoming a new WRWF President and more. We are now at Membership renewal time and look forward to your continuing support of the WRWF’s mission and the investments we are making in nonprofits throughout Blaine County. Next year we will be celebrating our 15th Anniversary and expect an even busier year of mission-driven work—your renewal will help make that happen. Thank you for joining in with 350+ women to make an impact in our community! * Renewals for 2020 were due on November 15, 2019. If your Membership was up for renewal, you should have received an email on October 1 with information on how to renew. If you did not receive a renewal notice, please contact Christina Bauer, WRWF Executive Assistant, at (208) 309-2530. Why the change in renewal date? Last year many members renewed their membership after the deadline and as a result there was less money in the pool to grant to our nonprofits in 2019. This year’s cut-off for renewals is December 10; renewals received after that date will apply to 2021 grants. * All contributions from new members, those who joined the WRWF during calendar year 2019, will go towards 2020 grants. If you are a new member who joined in 2019, you do not need to renew at this time. We now offer the option to pay for your membership online. Please visit our website woodriverwomensfoundation.org to fill out the renewal form online and pay with a credit card (excluding American Express), or download the form, fill it out by hand, and mail your check. If you have any questions, please contact Christina Bauer, WRWF Executive Assistant (208) 309-2530, or one of our Membership Chairs: Terri LeFaivre (208) 720-1719; Kathleen Eder (208) 720-3651.
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Photography Workshop Opportunity
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Denise and Bryan Anderson
For those who have ever wanted to attend a master class in digital photography, this is your opportunity! Bring your camera and join our WRWF photography workshop on Friday, December 20, 2019, from 2:30-3:30 pm at the Ketchum Community Library. This is an amazing chance to learn from professional photographers Denise and Bryan Anderson on how to make the most out of your digital camera. Learn how to nail your shot no matter the setting, by finding the best light whether indoors or outdoors. Take complete control of your shot by using the correct camera settings to frame and compose your photograph to make it a work of art. The Andersons have generously donated their time to share their knowledge and skills right before the holidays. Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Please RSVP Teresa Brennan, WRWF Photography Coordinator by December 2, 2019 at teresabrennan.rd@gmail.com. Speaking of photography, we are sad to announce that our WRWF Photography Coordinator, Teresa Brennan, will be leaving us at the end of the year. We welcome hearing from WRWF members who might be interested in taking on this important role.
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Save the Date –
Upcoming Education Events
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Winter Forum – “The State of Our Valley, 2020”
Monday, January 13, 2020 3:00-5:30 PM Community Library Lecture Hall, Ketchum
Mark your calendar for the Winter Educational Forum, “The State of the Valley, 2020.” We will begin with a panel presentation by local experts, including Erin Pfaeffle from St. Luke’s Community Health; Dani Southard from the 5B Restoration Coalition on local environmental issues; Heather Crocker, Communications Director for Blaine County Schools; and a local expert on the state of the arts in our community, TBA. The discussion will be moderated by Jenny Davidson, Executive Director of the Community Library. Following the panel presentation, we will have small group discussions to consider the information and its relevance to the mission and granting philosophy of our organization. There will be no charge for this event. Members and their guests only.
Catalist – PowerUp 2020 Conference Hosted by Washington Women’s Foundation
February 23 to 25, 2020 Motif Hotel Seattle, Washington
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Looking Ahead – Member Social Events
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Holiday Social
A raffle, a special guest, a special cocktail, champagne, wine, and scrumptious appetizers await your arrival. Don’t miss out!
Registration fee: $20 per person. Register and pay online by clicking here.
Or, send check or cash to: WRWF P.O. Box 3686 Ketchum, ID 83340 In the spirit of the holiday, we invite members to bring non-perishable food items for donation to the Hunger Coalition during this time of greatest need. Additional expenses related to this event have been generously underwritten by an anonymous WRWF member.
*Upcoming events are also posted on our website’s calendar page*
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Welcome New Members!
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Isabella Cazamira – Ketchum, ID
Suzanne Hausner – Sun Valley, ID
Lisa Riddiough – Hailey, ID
Laura Rose-Lewis – Sun Valley, ID
Melissa Young – Hailey, ID
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Terri Bullock – President of WRWF Closing Message
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WRWF President, Terri Bullock
You may not spend your days thinking about how many WRWF members contribute to ensuring organizational information is shared across the membership. Collectively, there are literally hundreds of women working hard on delivering our mission and making visible the workings of the WRWF, from reviewing grants to managing our finances to exploring education opportunities to examining policy issues to ensuring access to information and literally everything in between.
As a largely volunteer organization, we rely heavily on members to shoulder the work and as an all-volunteer board, we are ever grateful to every member who has given both her expertise and her time to work constructively towards improving our processes and transparency across the organization.
As we continue to mature as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we will likewise continue to adapt how we communicate with our members and with the public. For instance, we have added links to our website where members can easily review our Bylaws, our IRS Form 990’s, the minutes of our Annual Meeting of the Members, and more. We will also continue to use our News Briefs to keep members informed of impactful decisions. As a board, we are always looking for opportunities to increase value for our members and the long-term sustainability for the WRWF.
I encourage you to continue being an informed member by logging onto our website where a large navigational bar will help you easily find what interests you, from our monthly News Brief that is packed with WRWF news, to links on our Facebook and Instagram pages, which share timely event and grantee news and information. When we aren’t talking face-to-face at our many member events, these informative platforms will help you “see” the workings of all things WRWF.
All year long, but especially during this season, I am grateful for wonderful member volunteers like you. Happy Thanksgiving.
–Terri Bullock
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Our Mission:
Wood River Women’s Foundation inspires and educates women to become leaders in philanthropy. We encourage and create significant positive change in our community through pooled grant-making.
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Office Phone: 208-309-2530
Address: P.O. Box 3686, Ketchum, ID 83340
