Zonta chooses Brandi Williamson for Zonta Community Woman of the Year Award

Brandi has been involved in Relay for Life in Josephine County for several years. In the past couple of years she has turned the RFL into one of the largest non-profit fundraising events in Josephine County, second only the Boys and Girls Club Taste of the Rogue. Under Brandi’s leadership, in 2007 the event raised $240,000 and was recognized by the national committee as the second most successful event per capita in the nation! Brandi has dedicated a giant portion of her time to raising money to find a cure for cancer. Proceeds of RFL are also dedicated to community education. Brandi is a Cookie Lee Distributor as well as a candle business owner and the mother of two young children. She has put a lot of her personal home businesses aside in her effort to promote Rela For Life.  Her award was presented at the Touch of Class Champagne Brunch Saturday March 8, 2008 at The Brewery. 

DENISE BROWN IN GRANTS PASS
The Zonta Club of Grants Pass sponsored the appearance of Denise Brown, sister of slain Nicole Simpson Brown in Josephine County, partnering with the Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance. Internationally known Denise Brown kicked off their planned annual community outreach program.

Denise Brown purchasing  raffle tickets for the  Opportunity Quilt.

$500.00    Gold Level Evnet Sponsor - Zonta Club of Grants Pass Oregon Foundaiton
Club members supported the event with service of time as greeters at the VIP Reception at the Bear Hotel, tickets sellers and takers at the Grants Pass Performing Art Center, selling tickets on the Opportunity Quilt, raffled at the end of the event, and clean up of the spaces. Members dontating time included: Jeanie Martin, Carol Dickson, Karen Doyle, Candy Havercroft, Francie Michelon, Lisa Woodruff, Cindy Moir, Helen Garber, Connie Sloper and Beth Williams who serves a the 2007 and 2008 IVHSA Board Chair. Member sponsores included:
Platinum Level - Cherryl Walker w/ Martin P. Hill M.D.
Silver Level - Hart Insurance (Dudee Rembert), Logan Design (Lisa Woodruff)
Community Partner sponsors:
Platinum Level - Ogden Roemer Wilkerson Architecture, Lisa Keller
Gold Level (along with Zonta) - AAUW, Batzer Inc. Construction Services, Wild River Pizza, The Glass Rail Outfit
Silver Level: Picket Fence Fabrics (with member Carol Dickson), Holiday Inn ExpressWe were thrilled that the winner of the beautiful Opportunity Quilt (see photo) created by member Carol Dickson was won by a Domestic Violence survivor Zontian from another District 8 Club.

 METHAMPHETAMINE SUMMIT
In June of 2006 and January of 2008, the Zonta Club of Grants Pass Oregon sponsored community summit meetings to bring representatives of our community together to determine current asseets and efficiencies as well as gaps in services and resources. Over thrity parties with expertise in needs and services attended in 2006 and over fifty in 2008. As a result of the frank discussions, attendees formed a task force and initiated action to fill the gaps. By January of 2008, the Josephine county methamphetamine Task Force was meeting monthly, had designed and posted a web page filled with information and links to services. Several committes formed during the 2008 Summit to design and implemnet an intensive PR campaign, while another plans to encourage participation by area employers. Zonta is proud of the role it played in generating energy and focus for improvement in this critical area of community concern.