There’s
Power in the Purse Annual fundraiser draws hundreds
By Cara Kelly
Nearly 400 people used the influence of their wallets
to benefit other women in the community during the third annual
Power of the Purse Luncheon Friday.
Hosted
by the High Country Women’s Fund (HCWF), an initiative of
the High Country United Way, the luncheon once again will serve
as the HCWF’s main source of yearly income.
“It’s a great cause and a great time,” Ann Williams,
secretary of Blowing Rock Rotary Club, said.
Women from all walks of life came together to buy jewelry donated
by local vendors and to gain a sense of female empowerment that
overwhelms the event.
“I knew the sun would be shining outside, but I also knew
it wouldn’t be shining as much as inside,” Margaret
“Pinkie” Hayden said, as she welcomed the large crowd.
“We’re going to celebrate, and we have so much to celebrate.”
The celebration began with the recognition of several POP partners
who have made generous contributions both monetarily and through
service.
Full Circle Wealth Management was congratulated for helping not
only with the luncheon, but also giving women in the community
the knowledge to work more efficiently with their money.
Kay Burgess, a financial advisor who spoke on behalf of Full Circle,
said she first attended the event last year for the jewelry auction
she had heard so much about. After purchasing a necklace and meeting
the women of the fund, Burgess knew she would be back.
“Every time I wear [the necklace] I think more about what
it represents to me than if it matches my outfit. What it represents
is partnership. So many people working together…to empower
women,” Burgess said. “Our mission is to empower women
through education, from the basics of financial record keeping
to estate planning.”
Guests also heard the harrowing stories of three local teens and
women whose lives were deeply influenced by the assistance offered
by the High Country Women’s Fund.
Cursty McLeon was the first and youngest guest speaker, who shared
her story of becoming pregnant at the age of 14. McLeon was able
to receive her GED through the Caldwell Community College and
Technical Institute and participate in the “Parents as Teachers”
program, both sponsored by the Children’s Council, a partner
agency with HCWF.
“Robin with ‘Parents as Teachers’ was more like
a mom to me. She taught me how to be a better mom to my sons Jason
and Levi,” McLeon said. “I would have probably graduated
[from high school] this year but I did graduate with a GED. It
wouldn’t have been possible with out Robin coming to pick
me up every day.”
Eight other women from the Watauga Campus of Caldwell Community
College also benefited from the High Country Women’s Fund.
Brittany Poe, who became pregnant at the age of 16, gave birth
when she was a senior in high school. She graduated with her class
even with a young child and advanced to classes at Caldwell Community
College.
At time she met the women at HCWF, her son had countless medical
crisis and was being treated at Duke Medical Center.
“One year after starting college, I reached my breaking point.
I was working two jobs and going to school,” Poe said.
She was introduced to the women’s fund and WAMY through Jane
Lentz, a financial counselor at Caldwell. Poe began a work-study
program through WAMY and received financial assistance with HCWF.
“Thanks to these strong women in my life I stand here with
an associates degree from Caldwell Community College and am attending
Appalachian State University. Without the support and financial
assistance, I feel I would not have been able to accomplish these
dreams,” Poe said. “They help women like me pay day
to day expenses and still stay in school.”
Diane Mazza spoke as another success story of the benefactors
of the High Country Women’s Fund.
Mazza was going through a tough period in her life, struggling
financially and with relationships, when she decided to change
her life and go back to school.
“One day I said self, in four years you’re going to
be four years older. So as a mother of three and grandmother of
one, I decided to go to college at Appalachian State University,”
Mazza said.
As she pushed her way through classes and jobs trying to support
her family, her children saw her struggling and encouraged her,
reminding her that they knew how much school can stink sometimes.
“It took a lot for me to say I need help. [W.A.M.Y.] is so
much more than a resource center, they are family and friends,
a source of constant support,” Mazza said.
Through W.A.M.Y., Mazza learned about High Country Women’s
Fund, which helped her attend a stress management class and pay
for a graduate class for her master’s degree.
“I still have many goals I want to reach, my motto has been
you’re never too old,” Mazza said.
Mazza graduated in May, Summa Cum Laude with a degree in health
education. She was the first in her family to go to a University.
“I want to be on the other side of this podium, helping the
next generation with a little push to achieve their goals,”
Mazza said.
Women of the fund also took the time to introduce a sustainable
fundraising effort that will continue throughout the calendar
year. Through a partnership with Bald Guy Brew, the HCWF has started
a project called Café Chica, coffee with a cause. Beans
from an all-women’s cooperative coffee plantation in Latin
America, El Café Femenino will be ordered once a week,
and a portion of proceeds will go towards helping women through
HCWF’s partnering agencies. The proceeds also help women
in Latin America, encouraging them to become proficient at all
aspects of producing coffee and providing livable wages, a luxury
that is not often found for women in many countries.
“This fundraiser works double time to help women and children
all before breakfast,” Catherine Scantlin, coordinator of
High Country Women’s Fund said. The coffee is certified organic
and fair trade, and can be ordered by contacting the HCWF at (828)
264-4007 or at orders@hcwfcoffee.org. Visit www.hcwfcoffee.org
for more information.
Hosted
by the High Country Women’s Fund (HCWF), an initiative of
the High Country United Way, the luncheon once again will serve
as the HCWF’s main source of yearly income. 
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