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Women in Philanthropy
Spring Newsletter2026
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Board Members
Deborah Bates - Chair
Pat Harris - Chair-elect
Sheree Wright - Finance Chair
Tandy Menk - Secretary
BJ Blackwood - Grants
Shelia Kamath - Grant Chair-elect
Crystal Eskola - Membership
Sallie Metzel - Communications
Cathy Wall - Special Events
Christie Maund -Goveroance
Barbara Miller -Education
Pam Uros-Dominey - Past Chair, Nominating
Members -at-Large
Halley Badger
Kimberly Dunn
Lisa Turner Maddox
Heather Seigler
Katie Olsen-Tank
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Upcoming Events
Thursday, May 7th
4:00
Board Meeting
Community Foundation
Wednesday, May 20th
Impact Tour Visit
Salvation Army
(Scroll down for more information)
Tuesday, May 28th
New Member Social
5:00-7:00
Thursday, July 9
Impact Tour Visit
Jessye Norman School of the Arts
(Scroll down for more information)
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Welcome New Members
Patty Breed
Meg Byars
Elizabeth Donsbach
Laurie Easterlin (returning)
Donna Gann
Allison Layman
Hillary Mariah Millar
Chrisy Skalak
Joan Steinberg
Katie Vargas
Cambrey Massey Wood
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Chair's Corner
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Growing up here in Augusta in the 50's-60's, I was blessed to have parents who made giving back to the community part of their daily lives - whether it was through the PTA, Scouting, the Lions Club or church activities. The list goes on...and my sister and I were always taken along to help.
I was first attracted to Women in Philanthropy years ago realizing that through my yearly gifts I was able to make meaningful contributions to other local groups doing the frontline work in varied arenas. The joy of helping area families and organizations make their dreams and plans come true was exciting. Time spent on the Grants Committee was educational and personally rewarding.
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I hope that each member will find her place in WIP. In a busy year, that might simply entail giving. However, in other years, I hope members will find a few extra hours to serve on a committee. Regardless of commitments, everyone can reach out to friends and colleagues inviting them to join our merry band. We want to grow our numbers and our endowment. Let's make "each one reach one" our mantra for the coming year.
Fondly,
Deborah Bates,
2026 Chair
| | Prospective Member Social | | Cissy Bowden, a member of the membership committee, and Becky McKenize, who spoke to the group on the founding of Women in Philantrophy. | | | Many thanks to Carolyn Tynan who graciously hosted WIP's winter social at her home. | | | Lisa Turner Maddox and Sheryl Jolly | | | Shelia Kamath, Rebbeca Van Loenen, and Katie Olsen-Tank | | | Andrea Butt and Deborah Bashinski | | | Meg Byars and Pam Barrett | | | Crystai Eskola, Debbie Bates, and Nan Easler | | Andrea Butt and Christie Maund | | | Pam Barrett, Sheree Wright, Sallie Metzel, and BJ Blackwood | | | Shelia Kamath, Joan Steinberg, and Nailia Assad | | |
WIP's 19th Annual Luncheon
March 20,2026
Augusta Country Club
The Power of the Purse
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"At first glance, a purse seems ordinary. It carries what we need for the day. But collectively…our purses carry something extraordinary. They carry our values. They carry our priorities. They carry our belief that women and children in our community deserve opportunity, dignity, and hope.
When one woman opens her purse, she makes a difference. But when women open their purses TOGETHER, something remarkable happens."
Pam Dorminey-Uros
WIP Chair 2025
Grants, totaling over $153,000, were awarded to ten non-profit organizations, serving women and children the CSRA.
Over 150 people, which included members and guests, attended the 19th annual spring luncheon. A big thank you to the special events and membership committees and the ACC staff who helped make this event enjoyable for all.
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2026 Grant Recipients
Hope House $13,300
GAP Ministries $15,000
The Salvation Army $20,000
RISE Augusta $25,000
Downtown Cooperative Ministries $5,000
Burn Foundation $10,000
Jessye Norman School of the Arts $20,000
Family YMCA $20,050
Great Oak Equine $15,00
Oaks Ministries $10,000
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Many thanks to WIP luncheon sponsors.
Carol and Bill Bennett
Jackie and Michael Cohen
Beth and Nick Evans
Debbie and Barry Layman
Pam and Nick Uros
| | Pam Dorminey-Uros, out-going chair, is congratulated for her outstanding year of leadership by Robin Allen and Kimberly Dunn | | | | Kim Capers and Patty Breed | | Leslie Lambert and Ann Marie McManus | | Katy McLemore and Nicole Armstrong, representing Hope House | | Geraldine Rinker, Bobby Ingenito, and Alice Reese | | | | |
Who has the ticket under her chair?
Elizabeth Huggins, membership chair, presented a purse to the lucky lady who just happened to be Beth Evans.
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Cathy Kron, Lisa Turner Maddox, Roberta Sheehan, JoAnn Herbert,
and Donna Gann
| | Tish Bryant and Pixie Frank | | Heather Seigler, Miriam Atkins, and Cissy Bowden | | Margie Rubin, Nicole Armstrong, Lynthia Strong, and Whitney Pickett | | Cathy Wall and Sallie Metzel | | Penny Brown, Cissy Bowen, and Kathleen Bailie | | Kimberely Dunn and Liz Klemann | | Miriam Atkins, Fran Upton, and Beth Huggins | | |
Becky McKenize, a former president of Women in Philanthropy did a live interview with WJBF which aired later that day. Becky stated since 2008 WIP's grant program has surpassed over $2,300,000.
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2026 Board Members
First Row: Barbara Miller, Sallie Metzel, Deborah Bates, Cathy Wall, Lisa Turner Maddox, Heather Seigler
Second Row: Shelia Kamath, Christie Maund, Sheree Wright, Kimberly Dunn, Katie Olsen-Tank, BJ Blackwood
Not Pictured: Halley Badger, Crystal Eskola, Pat Harris, Tandy Menk, Pam Dominey-Uros
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Salvation Army
Wednesday, May 20th
10:30
The next Impact Tour is on Wednesday May 20 @ The Salvation Army City of Hope on 1384 Green Street. We will gather at 10:30 for the tour. If you can stay for lunch, we will go across the 13th street bridge to 301 Georgia Ave in North Augusta and eat lunch together at McNeely’s Place.
The shelter staff tell me they are always in need of pillows and towels, so thought it would be great if we each took an item or two to our visit.
Please let me know if you can attend by clicking the button below.
Barbara Miller
Education Chair
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Jessye Norman School of the Arts
Thursday, July 9th
11:00
Our second Impact Tour is on Thursday, July 9th @ The Jessye Norman School of the Arts on739 Greene Street. We will gather at 11:00 for the tour. If you can stay for lunch, we will go to Fat Man's Mill Cafe at 1450 Greene St.
I thought it would be nice to bring a few books to enhance the program. If you have any new or used books to donate, that would be great! (elementary, middle, and high school)
Please let me know if you can attend by clicking the button below.
Barbara Miller
Education Chair
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WANTED
If you are interested in becoming more involved in the workings of WIP, please join a committee. Besides it is a great way to make friends with other WIP members. Below are four of our interesting committees.
Education: help organize and attend impact tour visits
Barbara Miller: sealemiller@bellsouth.net
Grants: review and discuss grant applications, conduct sight visits, and vet the slate to be voted on by the membership
BJ Blackwood: blackwoodbj@gmail.com
Membership: attend the social functions, welcome attendees, and assist with name tags and information
Crystal Eskola: crystaleskola@gmail.com
Special Events: attend the social functions, sign up to assist the chair or the hostess with her needs. (bake goods, nuts, cheese and crackers, napkins, wine, etc.)
Cathy Wall: cathy@thebradleyschools.com
| | | Women in Philanthropy | Post Office Box 31358 | Augusta, GA 30903 US | | | | |
