The magic of women helping women
“Once upon a time, not so very long ago, in a far away land called Barton County, women of all ages, backgrounds and economic standings came together to impact the lives of others,” said Melanie Calcara, as she read aloud from a large storybook. “They laughed, they shared and became charter Prairie Godmothers. You are invited to help us write the ending to this fairy tale.”
Working with the Golden Belt Community Foundation, the Prairie Godmothers Advisory Board began collecting donations so it could grant some wishes shortly after the Great Bend organization formed in 2013. Prairie Godmothers also created an endowed fund so the giving can continue for years to come.
The Advisory Board for the Prairie Godmother Funds at the Golden Belt Community Foundation officially welcomed Elder Care Inc. as a new partner agency.
Elder Care is a local non-profit organization that serves home-bound individuals over the age of 60 by providing home services and the friendship meals program. The Prairie Godmother fund exists to provide one-time emergency grants to women in Barton County of all ages.
“This new partnership creates a much-needed link to the senior population in our communities,” said Melanie Calcara from the Prairie Godmothers advisory committee. “We look forward to introducing the leadership team from Elder Care at our next event this summer.”
That event is a “Build-a-Bag Brunch” set for Thursday, July 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prairie Godmothers will assemble gift bags for senior citizens in Barton County.
“We are very excited about this upcoming event because we’d heard that many assumed the fund is only for young single mothers,” said Megan Barfield at the Golden Belt Community Foundation. “We wanted to help educate our godmothers and let the public know that we are able to help any woman over the age of 18.”
Anyone interested in underwriting this event with a tax-deductible donation may contact Barfield at the Community Foundation, megan@goldenbeltcf.org, or call 620-792-3000.
Other partner agencies are: Barton County Emergency Aid Council, Barton County Health Department, Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas, Family Crisis Center, Heart of Kansas Family Healthcare, Central Kansas Dream Center and The Center for Health & Wellness.
Prairie Godmothers was started as a local group of “women helping women.” Recent examples of their work includes:
• A mother forced to live in a shelter to protect her children found herself in need of a new pair of glasses. A Prairie Godmother grant gave this mother more confidence and independence as she rebuilds her life. Having a new pair of glasses will enable her to obtain employment and support her children.
• A young single mother has worked hard to become independent and take care of her children. After having serious dental issues, the decision was made to have all of her teeth extracted. She was able to pay for the initial costs, but not the new dentures. A grant will cover this cost and offer confidence and continued perseverance.
• After their home was burglarized, a family found their home furnishings had been destroyed. A woman now found herself cleaning up the mess and not having beds for her three children. A Prairie Godmother grant will supply the family with mattresses for each child so they will no longer be sleeping on the floors.
