Women Can/Women Do Charlevoix County volunteers held a planning meeting for the fundraising luncheon that will take place at Castle Farms on June 14. The event is a major fundraiser for the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. Pictured are (front from left) Carol Bowman, Shelby Kerre, Jane Millar, Stephanie Brew, Micki McGuire, Marsha Hall, Susan Flanders, Taylor Malpass, Brittany McNeil, April Staph, Alanah Brown, Kay Wasilewski, Toni Felter, (back from left) Gail Kloss, Wally Klein, Shelley Boehmer, Karen Cole, Michele Carey-Dave’, Christine Benson, Joyce Herbert, Kris Huffman, Kathy Ackerman, Linda Burnham, Robin Maurer, Kris Way, and Sarah Sheaffer.

The Charlevoix and surrounding communities have supported Women Can/Women Do luncheon fundraisers for nearly two decades. The annual event is held at Castle Farms in Charlevoix and supports essential services for adults and children provided by Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM). This year’s luncheon will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14.

Many community members serve as volunteers on the event planning committee, auction committee, as Designers and as Table Captains who reach out to friends, family and business associates to fill seats at their table. A long-time volunteer even provides dessert for the approximately 250 guests.

“Our dedicated team of volunteers is really what makes this fundraiser possible,” said WRCNM Executive Director Gail Kloss.

“This highly anticipated event is a wonderful lead-in to summer and an opportunity for community members to reconnect after the long winter while supporting needed services in the area at the same time,” Kloss said.

Dozens of talented designers will transform Castle Farms’ East Garden Room into a spectacular array of flowers and unique displays complete with table favors for guests. This year’s designers are Beaver Island Boat Co., Black Birch Design + Build, Boyne Valley Vineyards, Castle Farms, Charlevoix Area Garden Club, Charlevoix Circle of Arts, Cherry Republic, Christ Episcopal Church, Deer Creek Junk, Elements Gallery, En Vogue Salon, Folklor Wine and Cider, Gold Mine South Resale Shop, Graze Catering, Harwood Gold Café, Jennifer Toohey, L. Burnham and Associates, Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company, Lavender Hill Farm, Monarch Garden and Floral Design, Northern Community Mediation, Patti McCreadie and Michele Carey-Dave’, Petals of Charlevoix LLC, Rafina Grove, Raven Hill Discovery Center, Straddle Books, The Argonne House, The Lake House, The Landing, The Rainbow Shoppe, Upsy-Daisy Floral, and Vue Wine Bar.

Grey Gables will cater for the event and Diane McMahon will provide the dessert.

Women Can/Women Do luncheons provide a significant source of funding to help ensure the continuation of WRCNM services for women, children and families, such as advocacy (financial, housing, medical), crisis counseling, therapy, the Safe Home, Children’s Advocacy Center, Educational and Employment Services and the 24-hour help line.

The nonprofit organization hosts luncheon fundraisers in Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Otsego and Emmet counties.

To learn more about the event, how to volunteer or to reserve a seat, contact WRCNM Development Director Kari VandenBrink at (231) 347-0067 or email [email protected].

To purchase tickets online or make a donation, click here.