Annual Reports
2023 Annual Report -- Submitted December 6, 2023
The mission of Women’s Gift is to provide support to women, youth and children at risk in Lane County, Oregon.
To that end we raise and distribute funds and/or supplies to non-profit agencies that provide direct services that align with our mission.
In 2023, we numbered forty-nine women meeting most months of the year either in person, on zoom or occasionally in a hybrid format. We believe that small contributions made by many can yield big results.
During the calendar year, we heard from NAMI, the Pearl Buck Center, Heartfelt House, 1st Place Family Center, Volunteers in Medicine, Hosea Youth Services, Hope and Safety Alliance, St. Vincent de Paul Youth House, and the Women’s Life Change Program at the Eugene Mission. Each of these organizations received $1500 – an increase of nearly 25% from previous years.
Bags of Love was our annual fundraiser recipient and we were pleased to give them nearly $30,000 – another fundraising increase over last year.
Women’s Gift members also helped make the Holidays brighter for four moms enrolled in Sponsors and their children.
On the practical side, Women’s Gift:
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Elected new officers including Co-Presidents, Ellen Campbell and Anna Gonzales, Vice-President, Mary Chris Stangland, Secretary, Eliana Vera, and At-Large Director Joni Hinton. They will serve 2024-2025.
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Sandy Watkinson, Marty Moran, Cindy Turell, and Mary Brooner stepped down from their Board positions after serving their terms. Marty will continue on the Board as Past President for another 2 years. Bobbe Burkhalter remains as a Director.
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Resumed our annual Game Day tradition.
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Received a grant from the Shadow Hill’s Women’s Group.
In 2024, Women’s Gift looks forward to supporting Looking Glass PEER Shelter program, Lane Diaper Bank, Ann’s Heart, 86 Hunger, Cornerstone, Square One, Ophelia’s Place, Refugee and Immigrant Services and Every Child. Our annual fundraising recipient will be Sponsors - an organization dedicated to helping individuals with conviction histories make successful transitions back into our community.
Guests are always welcome to attend our meetings to learn more about the many organizations that help women and children at risk in Lane County.
2022 Annual Report
The mission of Women’s Gift is to provide support to women, youth, and children at risk in Lane County, Oregon. To that end we raise and distribute funds and/or supplies to non-profit agencies that provide direct services that align with our mission.
In 2022 we numbered forty-nine women meeting most months of the year either in person, on zoom, or in a hybrid format. We believe that small contributions made by many can yield big results.
During the calendar year we heard from Family Relief Center, KindTree, Community Sharing, Siuslaw Outreach Services, The Latinx and Immigrant Wellness Hub, Bags of Love, Looking Glass Counseling and Sleep in Heavenly Peace — each of whom received a $1200 donation. In addition, we conducted a major fundraiser for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Lane County and were able to contribute $25,000.
Women’s Gift members also contributed school supplies to the Creslane Elementary School located in Creswell in August and gifted three St. Vincent de Paul families in December.
On the practical side, Women’s Gift:
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Elected new officers including Vice-President, Eliana Vera, Treasurer, Lynnette Campbell and At-Large Directors Bobbe Burkhalter, and Mary Brooner.
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Founders Rae LaMarche and Kristina Padgett stepped down from the Board after many years of dedicated service.
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Formed Nomination, Finance and Membership Committees.
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Voted to increase monthly donations to $1500 in 2023.
In 2023, Women’s Gift looks forward to supporting Bags of Love during our annual campaign as well as another 10 organizations including: NAMI, Pearl Buck Center, Heartfelt House, 1st Place Kids, Volunteers in Medicine, Hope and Safety Alliance, Hosea House, SVDP’s Girls House and the Life Change Program at the Eugene Mission.
Guests are always welcome to attend our meetings to learn more about the many organizations that help women and children at risk in Lane County.
2021 Annual Report -- Submitted March 14, 2022
The mission of Women’s Gift is to provide support to women, youth and children at risk. To that end we raise and distribute funds and/or supplies to non-profit agencies that provide direct services that align with our mission.
In 2021 we numbered forty-nine women meeting most months of the year either in person, on zoom or in a hybrid format. We believe that small contributions made by many can yield big results.
During the calendar year we heard from HOOTS (Helping Out Teens in Schools), Youth Era which runs the Eugene Drop Center for youth, A Family for Every Child dedicated to finding permanent homes for foster kids, Food for Lane County’s Youth Farm CSA, the Trafficking Law Center which offers pro bono law support to trafficking victims, the Frances O’Brien Community Library working to reestablish Blue River’s library post horrific fires, CORE (Community Outreach through Radical Empowerment) whose mission is to help houseless youth, Reality Kitchen, teaching job skills to disabled young adults and Every Child and its Brighter Side Giving Store designed to provide foster kids with needed clothes and shoes. These organizations received a total of $10,800 from Women’s Gift.
In addition, Women's Gift members contributed school supplies to the Bethel School District in August and gifted three St. Vincent de Paul families in December.
The hallmark of the year was our annual fundraiser which this year benefitted CAHOOTS – Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets. This organization has gained national renown for its successful integration with Eugene/Springfield public safety systems in responding to non-violent crisis’s. With widespread community support Women’s Gift raised $30,500 - the largest sum in Women’s Gift’s history. A remarkable accomplishment achieved during the pandemic.
On a more mundane level, Women’s Gift:
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Elected new officers including President Marty Moran and Secretary Cindy Turell
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Invited Past President Sandy Watkinson to sit on the board
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Adjusted our fiscal year to a calendar year
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Developed a 5-year strategic plan
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Revised By-Laws (Board approval pending)
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Joined the Non-Profit Association of Oregon (NAO) which provides resource material and training
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Consulted with the Center for Non-Profit Law to insure best practices
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Launched small group lunches and explored other opportunities to gather outside monthly meetings
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Improved website and FB presence
It was a busy year…. all with the specific intent of fulfilling our mission of supporting women, youth and children at risk.
In 2022, Women’s Gift looks forward to raising much needed funds for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), hearing from and donating to multiple organizations aligned with our mission and fostering community and friendships among our members.