by Cindy Locke –
Surrounded by a festive Mardi Gras atmosphere, 150 Seeds of Strength members and guests gathered at Pearl Snap Hall for the annual Wine, Women, Chocolate and Giving membership event. Beyond scrumptious chocolate desserts, mini Kingcake cupcakes, and a variety of Creole hors d’ oeuvres, the evening included engaging conversations and gorgeous gift basket giveaways. Long-time SoS member Linda Austin enthusiastically said, “This is the best Wine, Women, Chocolate and Giving event yet!”
Events Committee member Saundra Nichols-Liveris shared her excitement at seeing many returning guests who had attended the fall Page House event and at recognizing new members who were already engaging by bringing their friends to this SoS social. Membership Chair Karron Wilson welcomed everyone and expressed her hope that Seeds of Strength will have enough members this year to fund all the Grants Committee-approved nonprofit proposals. This only will happen when we broaden our membership and encourage increased contribution amounts.
Chair, Lexi Elliott reminded everyone that Seeds of Strength’s events are funded separately and never from our grants fund. Lexi was new to Georgetown when she read a Williamson County Sun article featuring Seeds of Strength. She immediately thought this was the type of organization with which she would like to be involved. Since joining, her passion for SoS has been infectious!
Energized guests expressed their interest in learning more about Seeds of Strength.
Trudy Rivera also attended the Page House event and she was amazed to learn about Georgetown nonprofits she didn’t know existed.
Carrie Pettengill moved from New York and with her daughters started a wedding and event planning business. She offered, “Women make things happen and through Seeds of Strength our collective gifts enhance the community because we are investing in Georgetown’s future.”
Gayla Stock shared her excitement as a new member and is looking forward to our organization having greater and greater impact as more women join our efforts.
Members Robbie Pettit and Carol Loyless echo that sentiment and believe that Seeds of Strength’s brilliance is enabling smaller individual contributions to yield big results.
Member Michelle Cooper said, “I love Seeds of Strength because I engage with like-minded women who want to give back and keep their giving local.”
New member Danielle Thomas attended Wine, Women, Chocolate and Giving with other Terra Vista neighbors at the invitation of Communications Committee member Cindy Taylor. Danielle summed up her experience saying, “The women here tonight are so friendly … and pretty!” Perhaps she saw that the happy faces of caring, compassionate women reflect true beauty.