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 11. The event is a major fundraiser for the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. Pictured are (front from left) Lisa Barnwell, Katie Potts, Courtney Oberg, Elizabeth Roth, Emma Patrick, Maggie Kromm, Jane Millar, Susan Capaldi, Jenni Attie, Lauri Hartmann, Janet J. Moore, Cora Smith, (back from left) Kathy Erber, Nicole Robiadek, Tricia Hand, Amanda Karsten, Rebeca Otto, Susan Sparrow Carson, Joanne Stewart, Karen Cole, Trina Hayes, Donna Gross, Holly Brown, Linda Hume, Kathy McCreight, Cherell Granger, Kate Manthei, and Kylie Simpson.

Planning is underway for the Women Can/Women Do-Emmet County fundraising luncheon that will be held at Bay Harbor Yacht Club-Lange Center 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 11. The annual event raises dollars that support essential Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) programs and services provided to women, children and families in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties.

“Women Can/Women Do luncheons have grown and expanded over nearly two decades and continue to be an important source of funding for our domestic abuse and sexual assault services, educational and employment services, children’s services and violence prevention programming,” said Gail Kloss, WRCNM Executive Director.

A dedicated group of volunteer committee members, table captains and table designers are instrumental in making the luncheons successful, according to Kari Sindberg VandenBrink, WRCNM Development Director. “The Emmet County fundraiser in September features 61 unique and elaborate table designs, an extensive silent auction and a delicious lunch enjoyed by 500 guests as they catch up with friends and make new acquaintances,” said VandenBrink. “We greatly appreciate the collective efforts of volunteers and staff members that help us bring about such a large, well-attended event.”

VandenBrink describes the beautifully decorated tables, as a highlight of the event.  Local businesses that have volunteered to design a table, to date, include: A.R. Pontius Flower Shop, Arbonne of Northern Michigan, Bay Harbor Yacht Club, Between the Covers, Brown Motors Ford Lincoln Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Char-Em United Way, Classic Cabinets & Interiors, Cottage Interiors, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cutler’s,  Dermatology Associates of Northern Michigan, Designs by Dawn, Diane Morse and Lindsey Young, Drost Landscape Design and Construction, Elsilu Events, Encore Financial Group, Evening Star Joinery, Flowers From Sky’s the Limit, Gold Mine North Resale Shop, Gold Mine South Resale Shop, Gypsy Vodka/High Five Spirits, Harbor Springs Festival of Books, Hestia Women’s Giving Circle, Irish Boat Shop, Kilwin’s Chocolates of Petoskey, Little Traverse Tileworks, Mackinac Outfitter, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Meyer Ace Home & Hardware, Monarch Garden & Floral Design, North Central Michigan College, Northern Community Mediation, Northgoods, Odawa Casino Resort, Petoskey Cheese, Preston Feather Kitchen & Bath Design Showrooms and Building Centers, Reusch Jewelers, Simply Sweet by Jessica, Tableau Events, Taylor True Value Rental Center, The Spa at Boyne Mountain, Then & Now Antique & Consignment House, Three Pines Studio and Gallery, Vintage To Vogue, Walloon Lake Winery, Wineguys Restaurant Group, and Wreaths Across America.

Women Can/Women Do-Emmet County will take place at the Bay Harbor Yacht Club-Lange Center 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 11. Although volunteer table captains are responsible for filling seats at a table, there are often a few seats available on a first-come/first serve basis. To reserve a seat or volunteer as a table designer or table captain, call the WRCNM main office at (231) 347-0067 or email [email protected].