2026

GIVING MEETING: Thursday, December 11th Meeting Recap

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Last night, members of 100 Women Who Care - Elk Rapids Area gathered at the Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall full of holiday cheer. In the opening remarks, Carol Heles highlighted how our group is a part of the global collective giving movement that is so impactful and meaningful. Our chapter is wonderfully unique, and we need to CELEBRATE THE JOY OF GIVING and the COLLECTIVE EFFERVESCENCE we create when we gather. 

 

Next, we heard from three members passionate about causes and organizations that improve the quality of life in Antrim County. Alice Rupert presented on behalf of Waterside 4 Wellness; Kelly Jensen introduced us to the Elk Rapids Schools' Robotics Club; and Pam Singer shared the work of the Antrim Women's Alliance Antrim Scholars Program.

 

Members selected ANTRIM WOMEN'S ALLIANCE to receive our collective donation which will be used to expand their Antrim Scholars Program which targets low-income or first-generation Antrim County students by offering mentorships, college preparation resources and scholarships.

 

TWO WAYS TO MAKE YOUR DONATION:

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1.    Make your $100 check payable to ANTRIM WOMEN'S ALLIANCE and either:

• DROP OFF YOUR CHECK AT: Northwood Blooms/The Hair Parlor located at 114 River Street, Elk Rapids. (This is right across the street from the Post Office and will save you a stamp!)

• MAIL YOUR CHECK TO: 100 Women Who Care-Elk Rapids Area, PO Box 722, Elk Rapids, MI, 49629 

Please remit your check (please do NOT send cash) by December 26.

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2.    Pay via Grapevine:

• If you are enrolled in the "tri-annual subscription" option, no action is required!  Your automatic withdrawal will take place on December 30, 2025.

• Use Grapevine's "One-Time" feature by simply signing onto your Grapevine account, selecting “One Time” and completing the amount on your home page. After hitting the “Donate” button, you’ll go to a second page to enter or verify your credit card information. You’ll also see an option to consider a donation to Grapevine Community Support before completing. Please donate only on our 100 Women Who Care - Elk Rapids Area page and NOT on one you may see for the ANTRIM WOMEN'S ALLIANCE as we cannot track these donations for our collective gift. 

• Sign up for Grapevine for the first time HERE

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REPORT FROM OUR AUGUST RECIPIENT - GRAND TRAVERSE INDUSTRIES

GTI Director of Operations, Dayna Ryan, thanked the group for our generous collective gift to their Mancelona location. Then, GTI Ambassador Austin Darga shared that GTI's mission every day is to help their team members, of all abilities, grow and become a part of the fabric of their community. He noted that the smooth operation of their vans, which our gift helped finance, is vitally important for getting their team members to jobs, volunteer assignments and community outings. Austin also announced GTI's latest project of building gardens at both their Traverse City and Mancelona locations.

 

MARK YOUR 2026 CALENDARS

January 22 at 5:00 pm - "Bunco at the Brick Oven" Social Event (Details to follow)

May 21 at 5:30 pm - Giving Meeting at Peterman Auditorium at Elk Rapids High School

August 20 at 5:30 pm - Giving Meeting at A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort Pavilion

December 10 at 5:00 pm - Giving Meeting at HERTH

 

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

As we wrap up 2025, we want to again, thank our sponsors listed below. A special shout out to Beth Guntzviller for donating "Blinky Rings" for our members to wear as they headed out to "Ladies Night" in downtown Elk Rapids after the meeting.

 

 

Warmest holiday greetings and keep up the collective effervescence,

 

"The Crew" - Peg Asmus, Deb Broderick, Carol Heles, Karen Somers & Cindy Zarow

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Here are all the nominations we received. If any of them resonate with you, feel free to support them directly—on top of your gift to our chosen recipient.​

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1. Antrim Women’s Alliance (Antrim Scholars) + ATTACHMENT

2. Communities in Schools - Northwest Michigan + ATTACHMENT

3. Elk Rapids Schools (ERHS Robotics Team)

4. Help from My Friends, Inc.

5. Launch to Leadership

6. Northwest Educational Services (Great Start Collaborative) + ATTACHMENT

7. Paddle Antrim + ATTACHMENT

8. Waterside 4 Wellness + ATTACHMENT

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