Getting all your holiday shopping done in two hours may seem impossible. However, on Thursday December 1, 2011 from 5-7:30 p.m. several independent sales consultants will gather to sell their wares under one roof offering shoppers a large variety of gift ideas. This is not an ordinary holiday shopping opportunity. It promises to be a fun evening of women supporting women. Shoppers will not only be supporting area independent business owners, they will also be supporting the local community. Each of the vendors has promised a percentage of the sales will be donated to the Zonta Club of Gaylord Area’s annual scholarship through the Women’s Resource Center to help an Otsego County woman return back to school.
The December First Shopping Event will take place at the Gaylord Guardian Gals Headquarters, 400 West Main Street Suites 114 & 115 of the Alpine Executive Center behind Subway and Brother’s Coffee and Tea. Light refreshments will be served. There is no admission fee. However, shoppers are asked to bring canned goods for the Women’s Resource Center’s Safe Home. A complete list of the Safe Home needs can be found at www.wrcnm.org.
This past March, on International Women’s Day, the Zonta Club of Gaylord Area hosted a Women At Risk International Jewelry Party with great success. Over two thousand dollars were raised to support women who have been rescued from human trafficking. This Charitable Shopping Event was created in an effort to help local women who have been rescued from abuse.
The Zonta Club of Gaylord Area meets the second Monday of every month, 5:30pm at the Otsego County Library. Zonta International seeks to advance the status of women worldwide by improving the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at the global and local levels through service and advocacy. With the generosity and collective action of Zontians and friends around the world, Zonta International has supported projects in 46 countries, provided scholarships and awards to women around the globe, and been a powerful advocate for change in our local and international communities, thereby transforming the world and women's place in it.
The Buck Starts Here
Well, at least for local young scholars “The Buck Starts” at Saturn Booksellers on Main Street in Gaylord Michigan. The award winning independent bookstore has partnered with the Zonta Club of Gaylord Area to help raise funds for the non-profit’s annual High School Scholarships. Zonta’s High School Scholarships are awarded to outstanding young women from Otsego County who are pursuing degrees in higher education.
The Buck Starts Here program will kick off at Saturn on Saturday, September 17th during Aaron Stander’s book signing event. According to Jill Miner, owner of Saturn Booksellers, “Aaron will have been here five times for five books, and his fans just keep getting more rabid!” He will be signing the fifth book in his Ray Elkins series.
Zonta members will be at the event sharing information about this scholarship fundraising opportunity throughout the book signing from 11:30 am through 1:30 pm. Saturn Bookseller’s customers will have the opportunity to make a donation at the time of checkout. The Buck Starts Here campaign will run through April and the scholarships will be awarded in May.
Cherie Nutter, president of the local Zonta Club, comments, “We couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity Jill Miner has given us. Fundraising in this economy has been difficult. We are so fortunate to have supportive business professionals like Jill in our community.” Individuals interested in learning more about The Zonta Club of Gaylord Area are invited to attend the book signing or visit www.Zonta.org and www.GaylordZonta.org.
Sydney Noeske named Zonta’s Young Women In Public Affairs Award Recipient
Sydney Noeske, a senior at Gaylord High School, was named the recipient of the 2011 Zonta Club of Gaylord Area Young Women in Public Affairs Award. She received a $100 check from the Gaylord Club and her application was forwarded to Zonta International District 15 as one of nine applicants to compete for the $1,000 Young Women in Public Affairs Award. Five Zonta International recipients are selected from the District winners to receive awards of $3,000 each.
The goal of the Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Program is to encourage more young women to participate in public affairs by recognizing a young woman’s (age 16-19) commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to the advancement of the status of women.
Applicants are asked to reflect on their voluntary commitment to their school and their community and the problems limiting the advancement of the status of women in their own country and worldwide. The Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs program looks to the young women of today for the leaders of tomorrow.
Sydney Noeske was selected by the Zonta Club of Gaylord Area because, as her Guidance Counselor wrote, of her “strong commitment to helping others.” She is a section editor for the school yearbook, volunteers with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, food drives and more. In her application, Ms. Noeske wrote “Working for equality in my community, country and world is one of my most important goals and in my life I plan on aiding others who do not have the same opportunities…to better our world.”
Zonta Club Awards Scholarships
The Zonta Club of Gaylord Area has selected Suzanne Stock as the recipient of the 2010 Golden Hug Award. A dessert reception honoring Suzanne was held at The Otsego Club & Resort on Monday, March 8 (International Women's Day), at 6:30 p.m.
The Golden Hug Award is presented to an unsung hero in the Gaylord community who embodies the true spirit of giving to and empowering others. Suzanne exemplifies the spirit of the award through her work with The Caring Closet. Other organizations that have enjoyed the benefits of Suzanne's generosity include Edelweiss Garden Club, Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, Friendship Shelter, and Gaylord Alpine Workshop.
Proceeds from the event were donated toThe Caring Closet.
Anna Kassuba Recipient of the Young Women in Public Affairs Award
The Zonta Club of Gaylord Area presented its 2010 Young Women in Public Affairs Award to Anna Kassuba on March 8, 2010. Anna, a junior at Gaylord High School, is the daughter of Jill and Vern Kassuba.
Anna was selected for her demonstrated commitment to volunteerism, volunteer leadership and advancing the status of women both locally and internationally.
The goal of the Young Women in Public Affairs Program is to encourage more young women to participate in public and political life by recognizing commitment to volunteerism, volunteer leadership achievements and dedication to advancing the status of women.
