Caring, Community, Connections
Hello Giving Hope Ladies,
The ladies of Giving Hope are so generous! So proud of all our ladies who donated monetarily as well as donating the spring & summer PJ's and stuffed animals to the Michigan Foster Care Closet of Plymouth. Giving Hope was able to send MFCC a check for $1400 which will be used to purchase more PJ's. We were able to take over 4 large bags of donations! About 40 more pairs of PJ's were donated through the Amazon wishlist and sent directly to MFC.
The Michigan Foster Care Closet is a 501(c)3 non-profit staffed by 100% volunteers. No one gets paid, so all of the monetary donations go directly to helping foster children & foster families. They service 65-75 individual children a month all free of charge. Clothing children with confidence and self-esteem, is what they strive for with every child that walks through their doors. They are very intentional with their help and support the whole foster family. If you are interested in volunteering at MFCC, please call Rachael Secord at (734) 664-4089. Rachael operates the MFCC in Plymouth out of the 2500 sq ft basement of her home, which is open 24/7! Their website is michiganfostercarecloset.org. You can also follow them on Facebook-Michigan Foster Care Closet-Plymouth and click follow. There are many opportunities to donate & volunteer.
We had 17 ladies join us on Zoom for our March 9th "Pajama Party" supporting Michigan Foster Care Closet in Plymouth. Rachael Secord, the president of MFCC spoke to us about the stressful situations that children experience when they are removed from their home. We also had some fun listening to the Canton/Denton ghost story with Mad Libs & playing a Kahoot.com trivia game. A Big Thank you to Karen Hanchett. Thank you to Sharon Flips for being a porch collection drop off, drawing & delivering our spa bag winner. Thank you to Becky Hurst who helped deliver the porch collections to MFCC. Thank you to Denise for the wonderful Facebook post. Thankful to be part of helping foster children in our area by supporting Michigan Foster Care Closet.
Looking forward to our summer social event on June22 in-person! Giving Hope will be supporting Seedlings, Braile Books for Children.
Raeann Neil
Special Events Chair
Hello, Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle member! Here is the next in our selection of significant philanthropic women for your reading and learning pleasure! What a wonderful legacy of Giving as women we share! Wishing you a wonderful week!
Betty Ford was chosen for her strength and bravery. She was not afraid to speak out about issues many women faced yet were afraid to talk about. Betty was candid about women’s rights and health issues, speaking out about her diagnosis with breast cancer and encouraging women to get yearly exams. Outspoken about drug and alcohol abuse and the importance seeking help and treatment. Her voice helped so many women and families.
Betty Ford
A groundbreaking First Lady, Betty Ford is often remembered for her candor in addressing the controversial issues of her time.
Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Bloomer was born in Chicago and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After graduating from Central High School, she went on to study modern dance at Bennington School of the Dance.
Betty returned to Michigan in 1941 and became a fashion coordinator for a department store. During this time, she continued to pursue her love of dance by starting her own performance group and teaching dance to handicapped children.
Betty became the First Lady when husband Gerald Ford became the 38th President of the United States. A few months later, Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a radical mastectomy. Rather than suppressing the diagnosis, she courageously shared her story and inspired countless women across the nation to get breast examinations. During her tenure as First Lady, Ford continued to be an outspoken advocate of women’s rights, addressing public issues like the Equal Rights Amendment and increasing the number of women appointed to senior government posts.
After the Presidency 1976 Betty moved her family to Rancho Mirage, California. In 1978, following a family intervention, Ford underwent successful treatment for addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs. She again used her personal story to raise public awareness of addiction, and in 1982, she co-founded the Betty Ford Center to treat victims of alcohol and chemical dependency.
Hello, Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle member! Here is the next in our selection of significant philanthropic women for your reading and learning pleasure! What a wonderful legacy of Giving as women we share! Wishing you a wonderful week!
Cora Reynolds Anderson (1882 -1950) was the first woman elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, serving one term from 1925 to 1926. She is also believed to be the only Native American woman elected to the Michigan House or Senate.
While in the House of Representatives, Anderson concentrated on public welfare issues and chaired the Industrial Home for Girls Committee. She was particularly interested in public health issues, especially the fight against alcoholism and tuberculosis. Prior to her term, she had organized the first public health service in Baraga County and was instrumental in securing the county’s first public health nurse. She also became actively involved in the Michigan Grange and served as the Upper Peninsula officer.
Anderson was educated as a teacher at the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas, which is known today as the Haskell Indian Nations University. She taught school in the Upper Peninsula for several years. At a time when minorities, including Native Americans, were subjected to considerable economic and social discrimination, Anderson’s determination to attend college and return the benefits of her education to her community was notable. Her role as educator, legislator, public health reform leader aided the Native American community as well as the whole of society.
I find her amazing as not only as the first women elected to the legislator in 1925, but also a minority. I appreciate her bravery and voice for the people of Michigan on education and public health issues. She was an educator and organized the first public health service in the UP.
Clara Bryant Ford was chosen for her early and significant philanthropic efforts to improve the lives of women and children and for contributing land and financial aid to Vista Maria home for women and girls.
Through her philanthropic endeavors and own self-determination, Clara Bryant Ford (1866-1950) made it her life’s mission to improve the life and welfare of women and those in poverty-stricken areas across the country. Clara Ford and her husband, Henry, created and funded numerous programs that focused on women’s rights and self-sufficiency, education, healthcare, and environmentalism. Vista Maria, originally a home for orphaned girls, the School of Nursing and Hygiene at Henry Ford Hospital, Planned Parenthood (1945-her death). They also supported several small liberal arts colleges such as Berry College, Vassar, and Radcliff.
Born into a farming family, Mrs. Ford was an avid gardener and promoted the idea of urban gardens during the Great Depression amongst the Ford Motor Company employees. She donated food grown on her family’s farms to more than a dozen institutions on a weekly basis. From 1924-1932, Mrs. Ford served as president of the Women’s National Farm & Gardens Association during which time she created a “Roadside Market” campaign that encouraged rural women to sell their home-grown produce at roadside stands, enabling them to earn their own income.
Clara Ford was also active in the suffrage movement. By 1918 she was an outspoken advocate and organizer for women’s suffrage campaign, serving as Vice Chair of the Dearborn branch of the Equal Suffrage League of Wayne County with meetings being held frequently at her Fair Lane home. In 1921, she served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan League of Women Voters.
Hello Ladies of Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle!
March is Women's History Month, and we will be highlighting 4 philanthropic women we believe embody the ideals, strengths, and purposes of our Circle! We Hope you will enjoy our choices and learn more about these amazing Women who are foundations of the legacy of Giving we follow! Best Wishes and enjoy this Month for Women!
Week #1 Clara Bryant Ford
Week #2 Cora Reynolds Andersen
Week #3 Matilda Dodge Wilson
Week #4 Betty Bloomer Ford
Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle efforts are focused on helping in the local community, reaching and assisting women, children, and their families in need.
Since 2006, the members and patrons have made it possible to grant more than $100,000 to local organizations that serve women and families in need.
Grants will only be awarded to qualifying 501(c)3 organizations serving women and children in Western Wayne County.
If you have questions with application process please contact Beth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 734-495-1200.
If you have questions about Grants in general, please contact Jane Kersjes This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Giving Hope's Advisory Board Chairwoman Linda Demmer's message to it's members.
In her message Linda Demmer wishes all the members a very happy new year as they enter their 16th year.
She also informs the member about changes in advisory board.
Giving Hope is also planning an event in March which will benefit the Michigan Foster Care Closet.
Please read letter to get more details.
Hello Giving Hope Members and Friends!
Happy Holidays!
I "Hope" everyone is doing well and not stressing out … 'tis the season after all! I wanted to send out a recap of the Ugly Christmas Sweater Zoom event held on Wednesday December 8th! IT was a wonderful time!! I know we are all tired of these zoom events, but I must say, this was one of our most entertaining!!
Many thanks to all the ladies who attended and were able to hear about our pass the purse charity, Canton Goodfellows. We were fortunate to be joined by Nila Patel — the Vice President of Canton Goodfellows. Nila described exactly what and how this endearing organization accomplishes its mission of "No Child Without a Christmas." What a worthwhile organization to support at this Giving time of year!
With that typed, I wish we had an audible drum roll to help announce we raised $1,780 for the organization!! I want to thank every lady who donated and also (and especially) the many ladies who, while not able to attend the zoom, did contribute to the Goodfellows cause and helped us reach this amazing sum!
During the zoom we also said our fond goodbyes and thank you's to retiring board members Jackie Norris, Sharon Filips and Sue Rosiek. These ladies served their terms with enthusiasm and dedication and will certainly be missed on the board. Fortunately we welcomed new board members Noel Bittinger, Karen Hanchette and Maureen Visser. I know they will bring new inspiration and help continue the tradition of strong leadership to the Giving Hope Advisory Board. Many thanks to these ladies for accepting the role.
Having those announcements made, I must also remind everyone we are still in need of 2 or 3 additional members on the board. Therefore, I ask again for your consideration and help in filling these spots. I know many of you have some trepidation about assuming the responsibility; but please, FEAR NOT!! It is anything but intimidating and we work as a group to support our meaningful organization — please consider joining the "Team" and let me know if I can count on you! The Advisory Board will meet in January and I do HOPE to have all the positions filled! Thank you in advance for your support.
We also discussed a potential charitable giving and creating event: making fleece blankets for or donating to "Fleece & Thank You" an organization that provides blankets to children in hospitals in our area. There was interest among our attendees, so the Advisory Board will discuss the particulars at the January board meeting!
Lastly, our zoom went "techy:" Thanks to Karen Hanchette, Reanne Neil and Jackie Norris we played a rousing game of Christmas trivia on our pc's and phones — what a hoot! Trivia winners were #1- Dianne Neihengen, #2 Jane Kerjes, and #3 Sue Rosiek! Well done ladies!!
And our special prize for Ugly Sweater became a draw among all our guest and the winner, Noel Bittinger graciously declined the chocolate Santa treat (she's doing great on her diet!!) and asked that another name be drawn, and we were delighted to award that prize to Nila Patel!
With all the information shared, the Giving done and the prizes won, we all toasted the great work we achieve through Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle, wished everyone a happy and healthy Holiday Season and all the best for 2022!!
It will be another great year of Giving Hope and I look forward to sharing it with all of you!
My humble and sincere thanks and very best wishes for the Christmas season!
Linda J. Demmer,
Advisory Board Chairwoman
Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle
Autumn Greetings to all Giving Hope,
Women's Giving Circle Members and Friends,
It is hard to believe we are already well into the fall since the warm temperatures have thankfully remained with us! As was the case for our wonderfully attended "Cheers for 15 years: Gathering to Give" event!
We had 35 members and guests who joined us for delicious hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, a champagne toast, and a tasty dessert!! The weather was grand, the giving generous and the time spent together as the Circle was enriching and inspiring.
The evening began with a welcome to all in attendance. In recognition of the occasion, our successful 15 years of Giving Hope, former chairwomen in attendance were given a round of applause and those not able to join were mentioned by name. We have much to be grateful for as these women leaders are truly the backbone, heart and spirit of our organization and we would not have survived without their commitment to the circle. Thanks was also expressed to all the members who have served on the Advisory Board and/or committees. It takes each and every one of us to keep growing our wonderful organization and helping more women find their way to becoming philanthropists through Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle. New logo pins were given to all members and then all were asked to stand and "pin" them on (really, they have a magnetic back! LOL!!). All members should feel great pride as they wear this signature pin. It stands for everything that we believe in and have accomplished in the past 15 years, and what we plan to continue long into the future!
A brief business meeting followed:
Treasurer, Denise Murray presented our current budget and details. Our endowment is currently $211,962.61 and growing. We are being good stewards of our expenses and finding ways to hold events and enrich our bottom line in fun and creative ways. Please contact me or Denise if you would like to see the complete report.
Next, I presented a quick year in review, highlighting our events "Harvest of Hope" fall 2020, "Giving Green for Giving Hope" March 2021, and "Time to Get Back to Celebrating Giving Hope" June 2021.
All these events were a success due to the participation of members and guests as well as the generosity found among them all. Thank you to all who joined in! Going forward, we are planning on our next virtual event. I hope you will join us for "'Tis the Season to Rock Ugly Sweaters" zoom session to be held on Wednesday December 8th at 7pm!
More "merry" details will follow soon!!
I was also honored to introduce our newest members:
It is wonderful to welcome these ladies into the Circle! This year alone we have added 7 new members and for that I am truly delighted!!
Next Beth Meade introduced Mickey Guisewite, the founder of our evening's selected charity The Bottomless Toy Chest. This Michigan-based organization provides toys for children in hospitals in Michigan and across the country. Mickey explained why and how she came up with the idea for this wonderful charity and told us stories of the impact she has witnessed with the children getting gifts! It was so inspiring to hear about her mission and how it has been fulfilled by charitable giving like ours! If you were not able to join us but would still like to donate, please feel free to go to the Bottomless Toy Chest website where you may look at their gift list and send a toy along.
After Mickey had delivered her remarks, our time was spent socializing and enjoying the food and beverage fare at Walnut Creek Country Club.
Once again, my many thanks to all who were able to attend and make the evening so special. We not only collected 104 toys, but we also provided almost $600 in an impromptu "Pass the "Box" moment!
In closing, I expect to remain as Chairwomen for the upcoming year. My term will conclude at the end of 2022, so I am going to continue to do my best to keep up the enthusiasm, fun and social opportunities for all our members and friends and "hope" you will join in at events in the coming year.
Congratulations to us all on the achievements we have contributed to and been part of these past 15 years for Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle!
Best wishes,
Linda J. Demmer
Chairwomen
Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle
