There’s a new community service group in town – one that hopes to do magic. Melanie Calcara, one of the founders of Prairie Godmothers, said this group of “women helping women” hopes to provide funds for critical short-term needs not met by other community resources.
Examples might include tuition for a class, a wheelchair battery, a water heater or repairs to a leaky roof. Since they don’t really have magic wands, the fair damsels who become Prairie Godmothers will partner with local social service organizations and rely on fundraising and their contacts in the community.
The networking began last Sunday at Calcara’s rural Great Bend home, where she hosted a premiere event at “Melanie’s Cow Palace.”
“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,” Calcara said, as she read aloud from a large storybook. “They laughed, they shared and became charter Prairie Godmothers. You are invited to help up write the ending to this fairy tale.”
Working with the Golden Belt Community Foundation (GBCF), the Prairie Godmothers Advisory Board is collecting donations so it can grant some wishes in 2014, but is also creating an endowed fund so the giving can continue for years to come.
Prairie Godmothers is modeled after successful Fairy Godmother groups in other communities, including Manhattan. Requests for help will be handled by an advisory board. The board’s members are Calcara, Sheryl Cheely, Linda Marmie, Rachel Mawhirter, Linda McCowan and Marcia Westhoff.
Cheeley said grants will probably be for $500 or less. But she hopes some local venders, who will be paid directly from Prairie Godmother funds, will help with price breaks on larger projects.
“I think everyone knows someone who could use the Prairie Godmothers, or could have used them in the past,” Cheeley said. “We’re very excited about it. We can help those less fortunate than were are.”
Christy Tustin, executive director of the GBCF, said anyone who makes a donation to Prairie Godmothers by Dec. 31 will be considered a charter member. The group had 87 members as of Friday and had raised about half of its $100,000 goal for the remainder of 2013. Donations can be dropped off at the GBCF office at 1307 Williams St. or mailed to Golden Belt Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1911, Great Bend, KS 67530.
At the premiere event, Jerry Marmie and Mark Calcara, Melanie’s husband, asked if men could be Prairie Godmothers. Each pledged $5,000 in seed money.
“That was kind of a surprise to us,” Melanie said later. “They were (only) supposed to be parking cars.” She hadn’t expected the men to contribute financially, but the answer is yes, men can donate to the cause. “They’re considered honorary Godmothers, I guess.”
Prairie Godmothers unite to serve