Women Can/Women Do Emmet County volunteers held a planning meeting for the fundraising luncheon that will take place at Bay Harbor Yacht Club-Lange Center on September 20. The event is a major fundraiser for the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. Pictured are (front from left) Kari Vandenbrink, Stephanie Brew, Sharon Schappacher, Jane Millar, Sarah McDonnell, (back from left) Maggie Kromm, Ellie Joles, Darlene Matelski, Karen Cole, Lindsey Young, Vanessa Matelski, Monica Farrier, Sandi Wolf, and Marjorie Neal.

Annual Women Can/Women Do fundraising events have been supported by the local community for more than 20 years. The event supports essential services for adults, children, and families provided by Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM). This year’s luncheon and silent auction will take place at Bay Harbor Yacht Club-Lange Center from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20.

Numerous 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. The planning and preparation begin several months ahead of the event.

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

“This highly anticipated event is an opportunity for community members to catch up with friends after a busy summer and meet new acquaintances while also supporting the agency’s unique and specialized services,” Kloss said.

Dozens of talented designers will transform the venue into a spectacular array of flowers, and creative displays complete with table favors for guests. To date, designers include: A.R. Pontius Flower Shop, August Home and Objects, Boutique Boisson, Brown Motors, Ciarra Claire Fine Art, Classic Cabinets and Interiors, Colors of the Spirit, Copper Aesthetics, Cottage Interiors, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cutler’s, Designs by Dawn, Drost Landscape, Evening Star Joinery, Flora Bae Home LLC, Flowers From Sky’s the Limit, Gold Mine Shop, Gruler Gardens, Harbor Brenn Insurance Agencies, JL Miller Interior Design, Jojo’s Cookie Company, Lauren Elaine Designs, Lindsey Young, Little Bay Gourmet and Parkside Deli, Little Traverse , Meyer Ace Home and Hardware, Monarch Garden and Floral Design, Nelson Forster and Stikovich, PC, Northern Community Mediation, NorthGoods, Northmen Den Youth Services, Odawa Casino Resort, Renee Guthrie Design, Reusch Jewelers, Social Hall, Sturgeon River Pottery, Tableau Events, Taylor True Value Rental Center, The Striped Cabana, and Walloon Lake Winery.

Women Can/Women Do luncheons provide a significant source of funding to help ensure the continuation of WRCNM supportive services, 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 also hosts luncheon fundraisers in Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Otsego counties.

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