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May 2006
Business Owners Sponsor Employee Memberships
in Women Making a Difference
Terms like "return on investment" and "leveraging
dollars" are familiar concepts in the business world;
however, a few savvy entrepreneurs in the Lowcountry are applying
those terms to their corporate philanthropy by underwriting
memberships in Women Making a Difference, a Charleston-based
giving circle.
Robben Richards, owner of Worthwhile on King Street and a
member of Women Making a Difference since its inception, recently
sponsored memberships for four young women whom she employs.
"I have an employee at Worthwhile, Elisa Young, who moved
to the area from New York City last November," says Richards.
"It occurred to me that a membership in Women Making
a Difference would be the perfect way for her to network and
make friends. I decided to underwrite Elisa's membership as
an extension of the group's philosophy: women helping women."
Richards went on to underwrite memberships for Joy Ribisi,
a five-year employee of Worthwhile; Erica Landford, the Richards'
long-time nanny; and Carissa Sutherland, another caregiver
for Richards' children.
According to Ribisi, Worthwhile's webmaster, the membership
has bolstered her confidence while encouraging her to explore
opportunities to network with the store's key demographic:
women.
"I've tracked the progess of Women Making a Difference
and have always wanted to be a part of the movement,"
says Ribisi, "but I have not been able to afford a membership.
Robben offered to sponsor my membership to Women Making A
Difference because she wanted to offer me something that
would be more meaningful than a gift or trinket. This is an
amazing example of forward-thinking philanthropy!"
Richards says she was delighted to discover her former nanny
at an informational meeting hosted by Women Making a Difference.
"Erica is so near and dear to my heart having played
such an important role in the lives of my children,"
says Richards, "I was compelled to underwrite her membership
as well."
Lanford is the the director of the College of Charleston's
call center, and she echos Ribisi's sentiment. "Having
the opportunity to work with other creative and passionate
women in my community," she says, "is what first
attracted me to Women Making a Difference."
Fleet Landing restaurant, which is co-owned by Women Making
a Difference founder Weesie Newton, sponsored a membership
for Sarah Nielsen, who has been employed by the restaurant
since it opened.
"It is so refreshing to be encouraged philanthropically
by an employer," says Nielsen. "As a recent college
graduate, an opportunity like this opens doors to network
and socialize with a great group of women, which is both professionally
and personally stimulating.
Other company-sponsored memberships include Mariana Hay of
Croghan's Jewel Box, Heather Ryan of Kitchen Encounters, Kristen
and Lois Lane of Lane and Smythe, Carolyn Rivers of the Phoebe
Pember House, Helene Settle of Settle Properties, Michelle
Pollak of the Lollipop, Inc., and five employees of Gulfstream
Communications-- Colleen Connor, Margaret Cotton, Misty Lister,
Ayoka Luca, and Darcy Shankland.
Women Making a Difference is a membership dues supported giving
circle based in Charleston, S.C. that aims to improve the
lives of women and children living in the Lowcountry. Membership
is open to all women, and the current membership drive ends
June 30, 2006.
For additional
information, please email
Ida Becker.
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