Why Sherri LIVES UNITED

Sherri, 4th from left, joins other WPF members at a wine-around

Being a native of Southern California, I have always had a strong identity and commitment to this area.  I started out many years ago, in my twenties, as a Loaned Executive to United Way.  After I married, moved away and started a family, there were some years where I was focused on my own family’s needs and financial independence, and was not active in philanthropy other than some miscellaneous donations.  When I experienced divorce and moved back to Orange County, I learned how difficult it is to be a single mom with two daughters and make it in this area.  I was fortunate to have mentors and opportunities to achieve my own dreams and own my own business.  It was then that I felt a strong desire to give back by helping empower other women and girls.  A business associate of mine introduced me to the Women’s Philanthropy Fund.   I was so excited about the mission and moved by my first breakfast event, I knew this was the group for me.  Since then, my goals and those of the WPF have become the same, to be part of the MOST POWERFUL VOICE FOR WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY in Orange County.

One of the important factors in my decision to become a member of the Women’s Philanthropy Fund, was the association with United Way.  I wanted an infrastructure that would ensure there was accountability and results that could be measured for my contributions.  There are many good causes and good intentions out there, but having the amazing infrastructure of United Way behind us, with very low administrative costs, makes the WPF the best way to make my gift count.  I know that my contributions and volunteer time have had and impact and created change.   

As a member of the WPF, I was visiting agencies under the United Way umbrella that our contributions were helping

Sherri and fellow WPF member Artyn Gardner traveled to Washington DC with United Way

 with financial literacy education, or other special programs for their recipients, to help them achieve self-sufficiency.  One of the agencies was WisePlace.  It was here that I realized again that those in need spanned all socio-economic levels and could just as easily be me or others close to me.  I learned of a woman who had been in a long term marriage, had a secure life and nice home.  At an older age, she was widowed and had few skills to be independent.  She lost her home and was living in the back of her car, a Mercedes Benz with her clothes and few belongings.  She had come to WisePlace for help as she was too proud to tell her children of her plight.  It confirmed for me the importance of supporting your community when you are financially able.

In 2009, I co-chaired the Women’s Philanthropy Fund breakfast fundraising event.  This was a rewarding and life changing event.  My co-chair and I agreed to lead this effort just as the economy was crashing.  The thought of asking others to give when they had just lost much of their financial security was daunting.  Our team had to figure out how to bring excitement and relevance to our cause.  We wanted to be sure that we could make their precious gifts really count.  We took the message that although our personal struggles and losses were significant, we were still surviving and the women and girls in Orange County needed us more than ever because they were not surviving.  The community responded and we raised more money than any previous event.  This was one of the most rewarding experiences to see everyone pull together and realize the power of the numbers.  Our theme was MAKE YOUR GIFT COUNT and we did!

This year, I am co-chairing the Women’s Philanthropy Fund with Artyn Gardner.  Our passion is to grow this elite donor circle to empower more women and girls in Orange County to achieve self-sufficiency.  Through this hand-up, we can change a legacy of dependency.  My daughters will attend the breakfast so I can model for them the responsibility we all have to provide for our community through volunteer time and contributions.  The unique opportunity to be part of an organization like United Way who brings all the experience and power of a national movement behind the efforts to help empower the women and girls in our own community is truly amazing.  What a great way to Make Your Gift Count, be a Powerful Voice and join a team that can mobilize for impact not only in your local community but also in a national and global way!!!

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