Women’s group mixes fun and purpose

Published 10:28 am Thursday, October 2, 2008

“We can’t fix the world, but we can make it better.”

This is the personal motto of Kathy Golic, a North Bend resident, full-time mother, part-time physical therapist and grass-roots community activist.

After attending another shop-at-home party four years ago, Golic realized that instead of purchasing kitchen items, home decor products, makeup and the like, what women really want most is a chance to get together and socialize.

“I thought it would be nice if women could get together and visit, but instead of focusing on ourselves, it would be nice to do something to benefit the [Valley],” Golic said.

Golic pitched her idea to a few neighbor friends in the Wood River development. Jeanne Acker, Karen Andring, Patricia Bennett and Lara Currie agreed to help, and the Snoqualmie Valley Women’s Social was created.

The group’s mission is to gather community-minded women together to support various nonprofit organizations in the Valley. The group chooses a local nonprofit group to highlight and friends are invited to spend a festive evening socializing with those attending, contributing wine, appetizers and dessert for the soiree.

Initially holding biannual events, the Snoqualmie Valley Women’s Social now holds one per year. On average, about 25 to 75 women attend, and they raise anywhere from $700 to $1,500 per event.

Golic said that fund raising isn’t the focus. “While donations are optional, just imagine if everyone donated $5. One hundred percent of the donations go to the group we are featuring,” she said.

The Snoqualmie Valley Women’s Social highlighted the Mount Si Helping Hands Food Bank for its first event at the Cedar River Watershed.

Other Valley nonprofits they have supported include Three Rivers Rescue, the Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation, the Mount Si Senior Center and the House of Hope women’s shelter.

The Snoqualmie Valley Women’s Social also supported the Safe Kids Task Force a few years ago. Founding member Lara Currie, a grant writer in the nonprofit field, said, “Although not a nonprofit group, we all felt very passionate about supporting the Safe Kids Task Force. We believed strongly in what they were doing for the community,” she said.

Susan Livingston, a former Wood River resident and avid supporter of the group, feels that women are critical to strengthening the community. “This group really speaks to the spirit of our Valley. The hosts have encouraged a sense of community in the Valley and have worked to raise awareness about the vibrant nonprofit organizations that make our community stronger,” she said.

“As most people know, when a group of women put their minds and hearts together, the impact is powerful,” Livingston emphasized.

The Snoqualmie Valley Women’s Social core group has evolved as members Jeanne Acker, Karen Andring and Helen O’Brien have left to take on other commitments. The current group of dedicated women includes Golick, Currie, Bennett and Rohnda Treglown.

The Snoqualmie Valley Women’s Social will be holding its sixth event on Saturday, March 25, from 7-10 p.m. at the Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center in North Bend. The featured beneficiary will be the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network, established 10 years ago to address major social problems in the Valley. The Network’s “Youth Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention” project has established a scholarship fund for students who participate in leadership roles and take part in activities that discourage alcohol and drug use.

Golic hopes her group will inspire other women to do something similar. She feels that women can get together socially and accomplish something positive for the good of others. “Just imagine if there were other groups of women around the world doing the same thing,” she said. “We could really make a difference.”