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Women's league adds Santa Claus to its causes
(by Joan Demirjian - May 04, 2011)
Women's league adds Santa Claus to its causes
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
For many years, the Chagrin Valley Women's League has been giving back to the community in the form of time and charitable donations. Those goals keep motivating the group's members, according to South Russell resident and league President Amy Gralnick.
The league provides a social outlet for the members, who are from throughout the Chagrin Valley community, but its drive and inspiration comes from the charitable work they do, Mrs. Gralnick said.
Each year, the league votes on which five charities to support for the year. "It changes every year," Mrs. Gralnick said. The causes often reflect the members' interests.
"We support women, children and the elderly," she said. "The goal is to keep the funds we raise to the local area. They are the only charities we consider."
"Last year, $42,000 went to five charities," Mrs. Gralnick said.
Santa's Hide-Away Hollow in Middlefield Township is the group's main charity this year, she said.
"We have supported Bill Dieterle at Santa's Hideaway Hollow informally for many years," Mrs. Gralnick said.
Mr. Dieterle serves in the role as Santa Claus for terminally ill children at the North Pole village he has built in Middlefield. Children visit throughout the year.
A helicopter landing pad is being built at the site, to make it easier to transport the sickest children to the village to see Santa with their families. The league's support this year is earmarked for the helicopter pad, Mrs. Gralnick said.
"All through the year, we do fundraisers and it feeds into the spring event, which is our main gala," she said. This year, Vineyard in the Valley will be held 7 p.m. to midnight May 14 at Barrington Golf Club in Aurora. The league supports minor and major charities.
At Vineyard in the Valley, the Spazmatics will entertain for the third year, she said. "They play a lot of fun '80s music," Mrs. Gralnick said. "It's a fun, casual event and not a black-tie affair."
The league first started as Chagrin Valley Jaycee Wives, and now they are independent of the Jaycees."A lot of us are not wives of Jaycees now, but we do partner with them," Mrs. Gralnick said.
For the annual Chagrin Falls Blossom Time Festival, the Jaycees are collecting new toys for the Salvation Army, while the women's league is collecting gently used toys to give to Womensafe and Chagrin Falls Park Community Center in Bainbridge.
Womensafe is a safe haven in Geauga County for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
"Chagrin Falls Park is a charity of ours as well," Mrs. Gralnick said. "We do a lot there. Last year, we gave $3,400 for programming at the center."
Other charities aided by league donations include Meals on Wheels and Breathe. "We also support a local Girl Scout group," Mrs. Gralnick said.
"I'm proud of the work we do and what we have been able to give back. We depend greatly on the support of donors and those who attend the annual gala, helping us to give back to the community."
Everyone is invited to the Vineyard in the Valley. Tickets, at $95 per person, can be purchased at the door. Wine and beer are included in the ticket price. More information can be obtained by calling 440-591-9362.
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