Together at last!
What a great time we had at our year end party on June 7, 2021.
More than 60 ladies and a few gents gathered at Enticing Cuisine for…..
Fun, Friendship and “F”ilanthropy!
There were lots of hugs and smiles to go around. Mike Burke, our outgoing president gave a wonderful speech reflecting about her presidency over this tough past year. She has poised the club to make even greater strides as our world has reopened. Cynthia Kieckhefer, the incoming president, talked about the year to come while prompting a few laughs from the members. Our “zooming” nonprofit presenters of the last year, were invited to visit “in-person” by 1st VP Sylvia Roberts. In addition to those seen below in photos of the evening, were Alex Engelhardt of Fox Valley Special Recreation Association and Patti Ideran, author of The Calm Baby Method. The year of meetings ahead will be focused on nonprofit and civic organizations. Our other extensive and diverse interests will be presented through a series of popup events and special interest programs. Sandy Wilson our fundraising chair, gave us a sneak peek ahead. And the club attracted 5 new members!
Welcome Diane B. Anderson, Debbie Heron, Patti Ideran, Michelle Steen and Barbara Zegiel. We are so fortunate to have you join us!
We donated over $33,000 to our community and can’t wait to continue supporting those who need our help. Here’s to a fabulous new year of doing good while having fun!
Incoming Board Recording Secretary, Marsha Sikkema, incoming Board President, Cynthia Kieckhefer and Special Interest Programmer, Martha Hanna enjoy each other’s company. The three became friends through the BWC!
Good friends, member and past Board President, Patti Condon and brand new member, Deb Heron enjoy the evening and fabulous hors d’oeuvres from Enticing Cuisine!
Fundraising Chair, Sandy Wilson, incoming Corresponding Secretary, Jane Doty, member Ellyn Stewart and Rotolo Middle School Scholarship Program Manager, Heather Hayes mug for the camera as they enjoy the scrumptious buffet .
COVID can’t keep the BWC down. Our year in review!
George Bikeri and Janice Owino, our new Batavia home owners through Fox Valley Habitat For Humanity joined the celebration with Barbara Zegiel, the Funds and Marketing Manager for Habitat. We are so happy to welcome this couple to our town! The BWC raised nearly $2000 to help them with new items for their home. It was so nice to meet this couple, as we know we will bump into them around town after they move in this fall. Welcome to Batavia George and Janice!
New member Michelle Steen, friend and guest of member Mary Marconi Popiel (Owner of Special Occasions on the Avenue and creator of the charitable effort “From Batavia With Love” ) chat with Craig Foltos. Craig “zoomed” earlier in the year with BWC to tell us about his iconic and beloved Batavia PEACE Bridge sign. Craig brought us all chocolate too! Thanks Craig. You’ll be invited back!
Member Sue Lusted affectionately presents her mother, Betty Wormwood, a proud BWC member for 28 years!
Two Batavia entrepreneurs, Kelly Desmond of Desmond Brown Home Decor at the new Wilson Street Mercantile and Nancy Neill of Nancy Neill Design joined the fun. Their custom made items added so much joy to the evening. Kelly created lovely BWC personalized coffee mugs which were filled with flowers as gifts for the Board. Nancy created beautiful charm pins to honor membership milestones for several club members. She also made a personalized charm bracelet for outgoing President Mike Burke. BWC is honored to be surrounded by so many creative women from our Fox Valley area.
Rita Pennington of Quilts of Valor chats with BWC 1st Vice President Sylvia Roberts. Rita and her organization honor those who have served in our military with hand made quilts they present to our honored vets. During the year, several husbands of BWC members were honored by this unique and special organization. Thank you Rita!
Outgoing Board President , Mike Burke honors her Board with a gift of the BWC beloved red geranium as she gets a few laughs from the audience. The BWC has sent many Batavia Middle school student to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) summer camps from the proceeds of sales of these flowers from Shady Hills Gardens. Hence, the pretty red flower in the BWC logo!
To quote Martin Luther King, “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.
That’s us BWC. We do small things in great ways. What a great night, great club and great group of ladies!