West End Family Link received a special bonus last month. The Women’s Giving Club in Montrose donated $13,000, as part of their program protocol. In the last month, Family Link has wasted no time and is already using the funds for maintenance and repairs.
Doris VanNess, chair of the Family Link board, told the Forum the way the program works is that the Giving Club meets four times annually in Montrose. Participants pay $100 to attend the meetings, plus $10 per person to cover the drinks and appetizers.
Then, nonprofit organizations put their names into a hat, and three names are drawn during the meeting for the opportunity to present.
As it happened at the May 1 spring session, Family Link was drawn to present. Representatives from Family Link, along with those from two other nonprofits, got to speak. Then, VanNess and Barbara Edwards let the crowd know what Family Link does and why they needed the money. In addition to running the food bank and other social programs and educational classes, they shared data about how many they serve. They explained they could use the money for repairs and that grants usually don’t cover needs for building maintenance.
When the 130 women in the room voted, Family Link was the winner. Montrose County Commissioner Sue Hansen, who helped start the organization approximately 15 years ago, presented the check to Family Link representatives.
VanNess told the Forum the Family Link building is more than 40 years old and needs work. It was a county building recently deeded to the nonprofit. Already, the board has replaced the front door, torn out some old cabinetry and had Jeff Sonnenburg do a few repairs. They’re now ripping down the 1980s wallpaper and retexturing the drywall in preparation for painting. VanNess said the staff and board will do the painting part. They’ve also fixed the air-conditioning.
The sidewalks also need work, since cracks are becoming a trip hazard, and that is part of the repair plan.
In August, at the summer meeting, the Family Link board will report to the Montrose Giving Club about how they spent the funds.
VanNess said Family Link joined the Giving Club two years ago. When you sign up, you do commit to two years of participation. That means donating $400 annually. VanNess always thought it was a good thing to do, but she said some had wondered if it would be worth it. VanNess said it definitely was.
“It’s a wonderful group,” VanNess said Monday.
She added Family Link is the only nonprofit in the West End participating. She’d like to see others join, or the West End even form its own version somehow.
She agreed receiving the $13,000 last month was special.
“We were so pleased,” VanNess said. “The group of women in Montrose are amazing.”
In other Family Link news, Danielle Pond has been chosen as executive director, replacing former director TJ Jones. VanNess said Pond is doing an excellent job.
Now, the board is gearing up for its annual meeting, which will be held in July. Details will soon be announced.
