OAKHURST – Organizers behind the mountain chapter of Helping One Woman (H.O.W.) are honored to be marking one year in operation, as the group gathers for the 12th time in as many months.
H.O.W. meets at the Queen’s Inn this Wednesday, June 19, at 6 p.m. in support of Linda Jeffries, who is grieving her husband after he sustained a sudden fatal heart attack in April. Jeffries has previously lost two of her sons to cancer. As a result, she is raising her 2-year-old grandson.
Wednesday night’s gathering is catered by Supernaw’s Bar-B-Q and the cost for food is $14 inclusive. Cash or check is requested for payment on dinner.
In addition to the cost of dinner, the Queen’s Inn bar is available on a no-host basis and guests will each donate at least $10 each to a “pot” of cash for Jeffries.
Those in the know say the evening will include music in the form of “very special guests.” Add the BBQ, perhaps a glass of vino and sitting close with friends in front of the fire at Queen’s Inn. It sounds like a brilliant evening for all concerned, with the benefit of helping one woman.
H.O.W. is a nonprofit woman’s organization that meets monthly for an uplifting evening in honor of one deserving woman who receives the community’s support when they need it the most.
Chapter co-founder Patti Fuentes is proud to mark the organization’s milestone meeting. She is no stranger to devastation; Fuentes’ own daughter Jessica passed away from cancer in 2009 at only 36, leaving behind a son who is now 9 and the “precious light” of Fuentes’ life.
Jessica is the inspiration for Fuentes’ volunteer work with H.O.W., a nonprofit, hands-on club that has grown exponentially in the last year.
“It has been successful because women care about other women,” explains Fuentes. “It is a simple solution. Get girlfriends together for a night out while honoring a woman that has had a devastating illness or loss.”
The formula is sustainable, says Fuentes. “Future recipients are nominated at the dinner by a woman who is attending. Forms are filled out and then put in a bowl and the current recipient of that dinner draws out of the bowl for the next month’s honoree.”
Money is put in a pot, jar or fish bowl for the current honoree and gifted to her at the end of the dinner. The amount donated per person is usually $10 and sometimes more, depending on the giver’s choice.
Ultimately, the total amount of the gift given is determined by the number of women who attend.
Six years ago the first chapter of H.O.W. was founded in Fresno by Charlotte Bavardo and Brenda Critzer. Now chapters are thriving throughout California and as far as Georgia.
The local chapter was founded by Fuentes and Donna Dozier, with an invaluable team that includes Susan Dykes and Jodi Dillon.
Up to now, the group has honored 11 women, raising over $5,000 this past year.
“We have held our dinners at just about every restaurant in Oakhurst,” Fuentes points out, including Sweetwater Steak House, Todds BBQ, Crab Cakes, Velasco’s, DiCiccos, the Hitching Post and Queen’s Inn, plus catering by the Produce Place and Supernaw’s.
Fuentes says the group has come a long way in one year. The first month only 10 women turned out.
“We now average around 50 or more. The best part is being able to help a deserving woman of the community. One woman giving $10 can buy another woman lunch. Ten women giving $10 can buy another woman’s groceries. One hundred women giving $10 can make a real difference in another woman’s life. This is how H.O.W. works.”
Insiders say the meeting on Wednesday is bound to be extra-special, and Fuentes agrees.
“I just hope what HOW does gives someone a bit of peace and knowledge of love. Come on out and support Linda.”
Reservations for Wednesday’s dinner can be made by calling Supernaw’s at 559/683-5057. Mention the H.O.W. dinner at Queen’s Inn on June 19.
Helping One Dozen Women: H.O.W. Marks Milestone
OAKHURST – Organizers behind the mountain chapter of Helping One Woman (H.O.W.) are honored to be marking one year in operation, as the group gathers for their 12th meeting in just as many months.
H.O.W. meets at the Queen’s Inn this Wednesday, June 19 at 6 p.m. in support of Linda Jeffries, who is grieving her husband who sustained a sudden fatal heart attack in April. Jeffries’ has previously lost two of her sons to cancer. As a result, the grieving mom is raising her 2 year old grandson.
Wednesday night’s gathering is catered by Supernaw’s Bar-B-Q and the cost for food is $14 inclusive. Cash or check is requested for payment on dinner; Supernaw’s does not take plastic.
In addition to the cost of dinner, the Queen’s Inn bar is available on a no-host basis and guests will each donate at least $10 each to a “pot” of cash for Jeffries.
Organizers say the evening will include music in the form of “very special guests.” Add in the BBQ, perhaps a glass of vino and sitting close with friends in front of the fire at Queen’s Inn. It sounds like a brilliant evening for all concerned.
H.O.W. is a nonprofit woman’s organization that meets monthly for an uplifting evening in honor of one deserving woman who receives the community’s support when they need it the most.
Chapter co-founder Patti Fuentes is proud to mark the organization’s milestone meeting. She is no stranger to devastation; Fuentes’ own daughter Jessica passed away from cancer in 2009,at only 36, leaving behind a son who is now 9 and the “precious light” of Fuentes’ life.
Jessica is the inspiration for Fuentes’ volunteer work with H.O.W., a nonprofit, hands-on club that has grown exponentially in the last year.
“It has been successful because women care about other women,” explains Fuentes. “It is a simple solution. Get girlfriends together for a night out while honoring a woman that has had a devastating illness or loss.”
The H.O.W. formula is uniquely sustainable, says Fuentes. “Future recipients are nominated at the dinner by a woman that is attending. Forms are filled out and then put in a bowl and the current recipient of that dinner draws out of the bowl for the next month’s honoree.”
Money is put in a pot, jar or fish bowl for the current honoree and gifted to her at the end of the dinner. The amount donated per person is usually $10 and sometimes more, depending on the giver’s choice. Ultimately, the total amount of the total gift given is determined by the number of women who attend.
6 years ago the first chapter of H.O.W. was founded in Fresno by Charlotte Bavardo and B renda Critzer. Now chapters are thriving throughout California and as far as Georgia.
The local chapter was founded by Fuentes and Donna Dozier, with an invaluable team that includes Susan Dykes and Jodi Dillon.
Up to now, the group has honored 11 women, raising over $5,000 this past year.
“We have held our dinners at just about every restaurant in Oakhurst,” Fuentes points out, including “Sweetwater Steak House, Todds BBQ, Crab Cakes, Velasco’s, DiCiccos, the Hitching Post and Queen’s Inn, plus catering by the Produce Place and Supernaw’s.”
Fuentes says the group has come a long way in one year. The first month only 10 women turned out.
“We now average around 50 or more. The best part is being able to help a deserving woman of the community. One woman giving $10 can buy another woman lunch. Ten women giving $10 can buy another woman’s groceries. One hundred women giving $10 can make a real difference in another woman’s life. This is how H.O.W. works.”
Insiders say the meeting on Wednesday is bound to be extra-special, and Fuentes agrees.
“I just hope what HOW does gives someone a bit of peace and knowledge of love.”
