BY LAURA DOUGLASS
Insider Staff Writer
‘Tis the season for joy, giving and most importantly, gratitude. For a small but growing group of women making a difference in Moore County, the “happy occasion” of the holidays began early with a celebration of the10th anniversary of the Moore Women – A Giving Circle.
Formed in 2014 when a handful of community members got together to think about how they could empower the collective power of giving, the circle has expanded that influence to touch the lives specifically of young children.
On Nov. 19, the More Women – A Giving Circle gathered at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club, in Southern Pines, to announce the 2024 grant recipients. Nearly $52,000 was distributed to organizations supporting women, children and families in the local community. The recipients included:
* The Arc of Moore County for early childhood support for children with developmental disabilities ($2,500);
* The Arts Council of Moore County for PAMS Program and ACMC Youth Theatre for Title I schools serving students kindergarten through eighth grade ($1,440);
* The Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills for Sponsor a Child ($2,400);
* Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas for a childhood cancer safety net program for Moore County families ($14,000);
* Moore Buddies Mentoring for the after-school program ($5,000);
* Partners for Children & Families for Positive Early Childhood Education program ($5,000);
* Prevent Blindness NC for Moore County vision screening program ($2,500);
* Sandhills Children’s Center for an engaging outdoor health and wellness program ($5,000);
* Sleep in Heavenly Peace Inc. for its No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in our Town-NC Sandhills ($5,000);
* Southmountain Children and Family Services to help fund a medical provider at the Moore County Children’s Advocacy Center ($5,000); and
* Triangle Area Parenting Support for Moore County support groups ($4,000).
“These nonprofits are doing important work to serve women, children and families in our community,” said Diane Galusky, grants committee chair of Moore Women – A Giving Circle. “We were thrilled to be able to focus on addressing early childhood issues this year, as we know it is a huge need in our community.”
In total, the giving circle has provided some 88 grants and over $300,000 to local organizations since its inception. Several of the founding circle members were present at the reception, along with representatives from grant receiving organizations.
Kathy Rezeli, leadership co-chair of Moore Women – A Giving Circle, noted that each member believes in the giving circle motto: By yourself you can make a contribution. Together we can make an impact.
“In this time of Thanksgiving and gratitude, we are very thankful for our giving circle and our charities that do so much to help those in need in our community,” Rezeli said.
In 2024, 30 applications were received, and the selected grant recipients are providing access to high-quality early childhood programs or projects that prepare Moore County children academically and socially for success, such a program through the Arts Council of Moore County offering arts education to schools that predominantly serve lower income families.
“The MWGC grant allowed us to obtain a matching grant from a private donor, and through these donations we can offer arts and theater education to children in Moore County’s 11 Title I schools,” said Ray Owen, Arts Council development director. “The arts can be a great equalizer; it fosters well-being and a sense of belonging.”
One of this year’s new grant recipients is Triangle Area Parenting Support, which provides educational opportunities for prenatal couples to encourage early childhood development activities such as reading to their baby. The goal is to give these parents tools and the confidence to help their child’s brain develop so when they reach preschool-age, they are ready to learn and be with their peers.
Other grant recipients included Moore Buddies Mentoring, a locally based program of The Care Group that matches a well-trained mentor with a child at risk of failing or dropping out of school. “These mentors can open up entire new worlds and expose them to new things,” said Executive Director Joyce Clevenger. “That is the power of a relationship.”
The largest grant recipient is Southmountain Children and Family Services, to provide grant funding for a medical provider who works directly with abused children through the Moore County Children’s Advocacy Center. The facility in Carthage works with 300-400 children a year, providing a family advocate and conducting forensic interviews with children, in addition to mental health therapy and other medical services. These services are offered regardless of the family’s insurance status. No child is ever turned away.
The Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas assists families in Moore County where there are no local pediatric cancer services. Instead, these families must travel over 70 miles for care, which often can lead to missed appointments and other challenges beyond transportation needs. The grant funding will provide vital resources in addition to patient navigators that will work with the families during the course of care treatment.
“Our first giving circle gave four grants totaling $15,000, and here we are, 10 years later, and we are giving nearly $52,000,” said Wanda Sweeney, MCWC leadership co-chair. “Every dollar that was given will help, and the outreach is just amazing. We are grateful for each of our members. We are changing the lives of mothers and their children right here in Moore County.”
The Moore Women – A Giving Circle is actively recruiting new members and welcomes all interested women in the community to come learn more about their work in coordination with the North Carolina Community Foundation.
All members of the giving circle live and work in Moore County, positioning them to strategically leverage resources, meet local needs and access opportunities. For further information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org/MooreWomen. You can also reach out directly to Jan Pender, the donor engagement officer for central North Carolina, at (919) 256-6914 or email jpender@nccommunityfoundation.org.
Contact Laura Douglass at (910) 693-2475 or email laura@thepilot.com.
