OnThursday, October 19, 2917, the Boca Raton Pen Women held their opening meeting at the lovely Westchester Country Club in Boynton Beach. They also held a silent auction Scholarship Award Fundraiser. It’s purpose is to raise money for scholarships for talented students who have need of assistance, and to fund our outreach programs. Possibly just as important, this event helps our Boca Pen Women Branch members to bond. We invite new members to help us grow the leadership to do the work entailed in putting on events that benefit our work and fortify our Branch as we continue to create as writers, artists and composer/musicians.
Personally, I was excited to bid on and bring home a painting titled Big Sister, donated by artist member Bea Doone-Merena. It depicts a young woman carrying a little child in her arms. In my mind it represented my older sister, Claire, and myself. It brought back my childhood memories. Every donated piece of art had special meaning to those who were fortunate enough to find the meaning behind that work.
All of the donated baskets were lovingly given by our supporters. Books were displayed for sale by member authors. Hearing them speak so lovingly of their life works was inspiring.
We raised almost $1,000. It is a great thoughtful task to gather the items that our members and guests delight in. Giving up one’s work to see some young person gain a step up is a noble act. One must also convince merchants or oneself that the cause is worthy.After preparing for the meeting, seeing everyone jump into action working together to make our reunion, membership recruitment and fundraising event become warm and glowing, was gratifying. In the afternoon going to volunteer with the teens at Milagro,who benefit from our outreach holiday program, made it a beautiful day for me.
I hope that it proved to be the same experience for those of you who were able to attend. We missed our colleagues and friends who were not able to be there. Some of our members came from West Palm Beach. It felt so good to be together.
Every day brings particular meaning as to what the outcome of what the whole year can be. I often think that we build our lives an atom at a time. An atom of energy grows and atracts a cluster of energy that propels itself forward, meeting those with similar purposes. We join and before you know it, there is a force field working together, propelling our projects forward. Together we are creating new positive energy. Once set into motion great good comes about.
Our Green Market project will help people learn who the Boca Raton Branch NLAPW members are and give our members the opportunity to exhibit their work.
I am so proud of our group. “One for all and all for one,” was certainly apparent to me at our Membership/Silent Auction Meeting.
Best Wishes for our Pen year that is evolving. I sincerely want to thank everyone who made the day such a beautiful event.