PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

May 30, 2008

We are the lucky ones. We have love in our homes: love and support from our spouses through good times and bad, and love and gratitude from our children, who have been given the opportunity to grow and bloom in a nurturing environment.

As I look at all of you, I see strong women willing to give and to share, to help those who haven't experienced the blessings that we enjoy in our lives. In these times, when violence is on the rise and the standard of living has fallen, women and children are often the first victims, and we need to be there for them now, more than ever.

Let us take our generosity and join together in a unity of hearts! A unity that will defy the ugliness, the pain, the feelings of helplessness that these women and children endure. You and I have SO much! Let us reach into our hearts and share what we have, whether it is time or money. The amount is not important – every dollar and every minute count!

As members of an organization that puts humanity ahead of all else, we strive to help and support women and children whose lives are shattered from abusive homes, rape, incest, drug or alcohol addiction, or mental health issues.

To that end, we need every resource to fight this fight. We are a group of women who have the power, though a unity of hearts, to change lives.

To empower one mother, or one woman, or one child--to give hope and restore faith to even one person who feels she has been forgotten—we can help to turn lives around.

I am convinced that recipients of our kindness and support will not only rise above their circumstances to rebuild their own lives, but also will have the gratitude to pass it on to others in need. Who knows how far that gratitude may travel? A unity of hearts has no boundaries.

This is NO easy task. We all know that righting the many wrongs is a difficult undertaking. It requires hard work, teamwork, time and money. It requires unfaltering commitment to the women we serve.

The price is high, but the payback, not only for the women in need, but for all of us, is enormous.

More than ever, in this economic downturn, we need to push for funds to help the women's center. To help every last woman and child that we can.

As a team that beats with one heart, we WILL have strength in numbers to reach our financial goals and most importantly, our humanitarian goals. Let us join together in a unity of hearts that will NOT give up, or take no for an answer, when it comes to serving our sisters in need.

Again, I am honored to serve you and look forward to working with each and every one of you in the upcoming year.

With Sincere Gratitude,

Marian Shope

Women's Center Guild President