Fundraising for WEN:
The Community Services Committee has been busy this year with events to benefit the Women’s Employment Network (WEN). In early April 2006, the Community Services Committee organized a clothing drive to benefit the Women’s Employment Network professional clothing bank. Four carloads of professional women’s-wear, shoes and accessories were delivered to the WEN clothing bank.

2006 marks the Women’s Employment Network’s 20th Anniversary and KC CREW was proud to be a sponsor of the 2006 Heart-to-Heart Luncheon held at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in April.  For 20 years WEN has provided area women with the training and resources they need to break free from poverty and to achieve economic self-sufficiency for themselves and the families that depend on them.

June was a busy month for the Community Services Committee with the Island CREWS pre-golf event and the Third Annual KC CREW Golf Tournament. The tropical themed Island CREWS event featured a silent auction that raised more than $2,900. Silent auction donors included 1St National Bank of Olathe, Block & Company, Commerce Bank, Deer Creek Golf Club, Jim Doyle – The Framery, Metcalf Bank, Mission Wine & Spirits, Spencer Fane Britt and Browne, Dimples Golf, Loretta Burkett, LandAmerica Commonwealth Title, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Terracon. The evening was highlighted with a live auction, an inspirational speech by WEN graduate Belinda Hawkins, a Hula demonstration by Nicole English, professional Polynesian dancer and instructor, and a drawing for a three-day Bahamas Carnival Cruise donated by Thellman Financial Corporation and KeyBank.  Mr. Greg Sweeney with Herrington Bank was the lucky winner of the Cruise raffle drawing.

The two-day event was completed with the Third Annual KC CREW Charity Golf Tournament held at the Deer Creek Golf Club in Overland Park on June 6th. The tournament was conducted in a scramble format with an 8 am shotgun start with prizes for 1st and 2nd place in the Men’s team competition, Women’s team competition and Mixed team competition.  An afternoon lunch buffet was provided for participants at the awards ceremony.  A $10,000 check to the Women’s Employment Network was presented to Pam Mann, Executive Director of WEN, at the July KC CREW Luncheon meeting.

The July monthly Happy Hour began with a tour of the Women’s Employment Network facility and concluded at The View. The View is the 2006 Cornerstone Award Winner for condos with amenities including 25-year tax abatement, balconies with every unit, 24-hour doorman security, outdoor & indoor pool, tennis court, putting green, workout facilities, and awesome views.