By Ron Beeber, Contributing Writer
HART — The 147 members of Women Who Care of Oceana County held their 49th quarterly meeting Sept. 3. This time, attendees chose to have each member write a $100 personal check to support the Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Post 1329, located at 802 S. State Street in Hart. Their gifts total $14,700 to this important cause, which fosters camaraderie among U.S. veterans of overseas conflicts.
“The post’s kitchen really needs an upgrade,” said WWC member Linda Kotzian of Shelby. “They use it to prepare low-cost meals for the public twice a month, and for other purposes that generate revenue needed to operate. The vets also serve the public by collaborating with the Oceana sheriff in a safety program, making school presentations about the United States flag and the meaning of serving in the armed forces, and coordinating the veterans’ participation in military funerals that are held in Oceana County. Many years after they’ve served our nation, these vets are still finding ways to support the community.”
These latest personal contributions bring the total gifts from WWC members to $769,000 since the group had its first meeting in June of 2012.
Those who gathered at the Pleasant Valley Farm and Vineyard in Hart last week heard about the great work of three area nonprofits, and chose this one. At each one-hour, quarterly meeting, attendees are invited to nominate a nonprofit cause. Three are randomly selected, and the WWC member who submits the organization’s name makes the pitch to fellow members. One is selected in a secret ballot. Socializing follows for those who have the time to stay.
At the June 2024 meeting, attending WWC members voted for the membership to each support the monthly stop in Pentwater of the West Michigan Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry. It provides supplemental groceries to an average of 106 area families every month, and is sponsored by the Pentwater Junior Women’s Club. The collective gifts from WWC members are enough to cover the cost of the monthly food program until 2030.
Quarterly meetings take place the first Tuesday of March, June, September and December. The next meeting is set for Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 5:30 p.m. at a location to be determined. Membership is open to any woman who wants to be involved in this unique, joint effort to support Oceana causes. Membership requires a minimum one-year commitment of $100 per quarter. For more information, contact Amy LaBarge at 313.268.2086, or at facebook.com/womenwhocareofoceanacounty.
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