Women Can/Women Do fundraising luncheon table captains (top photo) include (front L to R): Susan Staffan, Maggie Kromm, Deb Nachtrab, Jenni Attie, Holly O’Donnell and Carrie Blanck (table designer), (back L to R) Kathy Biggs, Dianne Litzenburger, Linda Hume, Lisa Loyd, Jane Millar, Onalee Wilson, Lisa Blanchard, Caroline Knowlton, Sandi Wolf, Cathy Meyer, Babs Kutcipal, Candice Fitzsimons, Sarah Sheaffer, Julie Norcross and Kathy Erber.

Women Can/Women Do table designers (bottom photo) include (L-R): Linda Richter-Clutter, Janet Mendyk, Vida Miilu, Angela Bishop, Sharon Weaver, Julie Cupps, Traci Oosterhouse, Michelle Egas, Mical Dunlop C.F., Kathie VanderBreggen, Lisa Loyd, Susan Capaldi, Bonnie Hill, Kathy McCreight, Kate Scollin, Brooke Anderson, Carolyn Andrews, Nicole Belmonte, Courtney Oberg, Shauna Bezilla and Sarah Sheaffer.

The Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) relies on the help of more than a hundred volunteers to make their three annual Women Can/Women Do fundraising luncheons a reality. This year the Petoskey luncheon held at the Bay Harbor Yacht Club-Lange Center on Wednesday, September 12, will have table captains responsible for filling seats and table designers responsible for 55 tables at the event. Each themed table design is unique, extravagant and even includes a table favor for each guest. It’s not unusual to see table designs featuring trees, fountains, moving displays, edible centerpieces and lots of gorgeous flowers.

“We could never pull off an event of this magnitude without our dedicated table captains and extremely talented table designers; they truly make the event successful and memorable,” said Deb Smith, WRCNM Assistant Director who works closely with luncheon volunteers.

The Petoskey luncheon will feature table designs created by local businesses, including: Arbonne International, Bay Harbor Yacht Club, Bay View Association, Big Girls in Tights, Bloom, Christians Renolda Greenhouse & Florist, CindiFranco’s cool stuff, Classic Cabinets & Interiors, Cottage Interiors, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cutler’s, Drost Landscape Design and Construction, Dunlop’s-The Art of Flowers, Evening Star Joinery, Fifth Third Bank, Flowers From Nature’s Garden, Flowers From Sky’s the Limit, Furguson Enterprise, Gattle’s, Gold Mine North, Gold Mine Resale Shop, Habitat Restore, Kathleen Thatcher Designs, Kilwin’s Chocolates of Petoskey, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Meyer Ace Home & Hardware, Monarch Garden & Floral Design, Odawa Casino Resort, Peebles, Petoskey Area Garden Club, Plain Jane & Co., Preston Feather Building Centers, Pretty Woman Boutique, Renee Guthrie Designs/At Lake Street Design Studio, Sky Iris, Spice Harbor, Sturgeon River Pottery, Sunglass Shoppe of Petoskey, Sweet Maria’s Confections, Tableau Event Design & Creative Services, Talulu, Taylor Rental Center, The First Tee of Boyne Highlands, The Spa at The Inn at Bay Harbor, Then & Now Antique & Consignment House, Thirty-One Gifts Independent Consultant, Three Pines Studio & Gallery, Tres Belle Interior Design, Wineguys Restaurant Group and Young Americans.

The Petoskey Women Can/Women Do fundraiser features a silent auction made possible through the tireless help of volunteers who secure a variety of biddable items and services donated by local businesses and individuals.

The Women Can/Women Do luncheons have been instrumental in raising critical dollars for the WRCNM over the past 11 years. “These fundraisers are vitally important to help support the many specialized programs and services provided by the Women’s Center,” said Jan Mancinelli, WRCNM Executive Director. “Over the past 35 years the agency has grown in response to community need, providing direct services to literally thousands of women, children and families annually.”

Last year the agency handled 881 calls to their 24-hour crisis line and provided emergency shelter at the Safe Home for 135 domestic abuse survivors and their children. An additional 529 domestic abuse survivors were provided with counseling, support and medical, legal, financial and housing advocacy. During the same period, 312 sexual assault survivors were provided with support and counseling. The Women’ Center also operates a fully licensed child care facility providing quality educational programming for children age 2½ to 11, Project FREE preschool, free community playgroups and educational and employment services for those re-entering the workforce.

“Although volunteer table captains are responsible for filling the seats at the Women Can/Women Do luncheon, we often have a few seats available on a first-come/first serve basis,” said Smith. “If you want to attend this fabulous luncheon but haven’t yet been assigned to a specific table or table captain, you may call the WRCNM office to reserve your seat.”

The luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, September 12, at the Bay Harbor Yacht Club, Lange Center from 11:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Seats are a minimum donation of $150 per person. To reserve a seat, call the WRCNM administrative office at 231-347-0067.