2021 Annual Report

The mission of Women’sGift 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.

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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’sGift.

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In addition, Women'sGift members contributed school supplies to the Bethel School District in August and gifted three St. Vincent de Paul families in December.

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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’sGift raised $30,500 - the largest sum in Women’sGift’s history. A remarkable accomplishment achieved during the pandemic.

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On a more mundane level, Women’sGift:

• Elected new officers including President Marty Moran and Secretary Cindy Turell

• Invited Past President Sandy Watkinson to sit on the board

• Adjusted our fiscal year to a calendar year

• Developed a 5-year strategic plan

• Revised By-Laws (Board approval pending)

• Joined the Non-Profit Association of Oregon (NAO) which provides resource material and training

• Consulted with the Center for Non-Profit Law to insure best practices

• Launched small group lunches and explored other opportunities to gather outside monthly meetings

• 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’sGift 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.

Submitted March 14, 2022