As Fall 2017 draws to a close and there is a winter nip in the air, Greater Bedford Womenade has much to be thankful for. We added three new board members in September, each bringing unique backgrounds and talents to our expanding table.  We are indebted to our excellent panel of community validators ~ they are the true front line of contact for the people GBW was created to serve. We are thankful for our corporate annual sponsors who enable GBW to host fundraising events and to get our message out to the West Manchester, Goffstown and Bedford communities. And finally we continue to be incredibly grateful for your continued financial support of GBW and our mission. We couldn’t do it without you. 100% of your contributions enable GBW to quickly and nimbly meet the needs of families and individuals in crisis in our community. 

What We’ve Been Doing

By The Numbers

At the time of this writing, the second half of 2017 (June 1 through December 1st) GBW received 21 requests for financial assistance, slightly down from 30 requests during the same six month period in 2016. Of the requests, 3 were out of our service area, and GBW voted to fund 94% or 17 of the 18  remaining requests that fell within in our service area, for a total amount of $5,262.15 distributed. Eighty-one percent (81%) of these grants supported people in need of housing and medical assistance. 

During the same time period, GBW raised $8,151.00. Of that amount, $5,401 was raised through our two fundraising events at the Bedford Village Inn Bonfire, the Ackerson house party and general contributions. The Board donated $1,250 of that amount,  and our corporate sponsors contributed $1,500. With the winter season upon us, and as temperatures drop, we fully expect requests to increase. Your continued financial support helps GBW meet the ever-present needs of our community.  
 

Fundraising

GBW kicked off Fall 2017 fundraising in September at the Bedford Village Inn’s Bonfire event. We were happy to see many familiar GBW supporters at the annual event and get to know new supporters too. We are indebted to the Carnevale Family and their continued annual support of GBW during this iconic autumn affair. 

In October, new board member Dr. Christiane Ackerson hosted her own Occasion Fundraising Opportunity by opening her home to friends for a convivial ladies’ night. Thanks to Chris, a simple idea, and her guests’ generosity, families and individuals in crisis benefited that night. Womenade - a national organization - was founded on the idea that people can enjoy the company of friends while raising funds to help members of their own community. Thank you Chris for hosting for good! 

Finally, in November VIVA Boutique at the Executive Health & Sports Center was kind enough to host the 3rd annual Shop & Sip for a Cause supporting GBW. Thanks to the Benton Family, attendees were able to give back while getting a great start on their holiday shopping in VIVA’s beautiful active lifestyle boutique. 

New Board Members

Greater Bedford Womenade is growing! We added three new board members in September. They say many hands make light work; GBW's leadership development, secretarial and fundraising efforts have been given a boost with these additions:

Dr. Christiane Ackerson - Leadership Development
Christiane holds a Doctorate in Leadership, which she earned from Franklin Pierce University, and a Master of Education degree from Lesley University. She is the founder of Ackerson Leadership, where she works as a leadership consultant and personal development coach. Christiane is also an adjunct professor in the Organizational Leadership Department at Southern New Hampshire University. In previous years, Christiane has served on various local boards, and most recently has volunteered her time at the NH State Council on the Arts.

Julie Muir - Secretary 
Julie is a proud graduate of Colgate University, and she started her career in editing and writing at Random House while she pursued her Masters in English at NYU. After a brief stint in academia, she landed in private elementary education where she was able to marry her passion for learning and teaching with outdoor pursuits in Colorado. Julie has spent the last 20 years raising her two daughters while volunteering her time in their schools, on the Bedford Curriculum Committee, and at Manchester Community Health Center. 

Joyce Vig - Fundraising
Joyce and her husband Ravi moved to Bedford last fall after raising their three daughters a few miles north in Bow. She has been a stay at home Mom for 25 years while volunteering in the community in various organizations such as the Junior Service League, Pope Memorial SPCA, the Concord Rape and Domestic Violence Crisis Center and for most of her daughters' activities.

Event Fundraising and You! 
The notion is simple, the impact profound.

Looking to help GBW but not quite ready for a Board commitment?  Then occasion fundraising may be what you are looking for!  GBW gets requests for all amounts of support:  some requests are for a $30 bus pass so a person can get to and from medical appointments, while others' needs reach our $500.00 limit.  No amount of money raised is too small, and your support of GBW can help so many!

Please consider hosting a gathering of friends to benefit GBW--keep it intimate or go big! Excuses for gatherings are limitless:  a holiday party, a girls' night in, a binge-watching fest, a special birthday celebration, a wine sampling, a game night, a sports playoff game, or a good old-fashioned pot lock or dinner party.  In addition to having a fabulously fun gathering, you can also make a huge difference in the lives of others.  GBW is always here to help you plan your gathering.  We'd be delighted to hear from you!
 

Coming This Winter


 

Kick off a Healthy New Year!

Mark Your Calendars!
Join Greater Bedford Womenade as we partner with 

Elevate Health Studio

Saturday, January 20, 2018 
from 9am - 12pm 

Elevate Health and Wellness Expo Benefiting GBW

Try a few fabulous Elevate fitness classes and shop for good 

Featuring a variety of local health, 
wellness and beauty vendors

More Details to Come!