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Meeting The Needs
Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: November 2024 | Photograph By: Susan Renfro
The generosity and wise counsel of Cullasaja Women’s Outreach have enriched the community, far into the future.
Cullasaja Women’s Outreach continues to make a remarkable impact in the Highlands-Cashiers community, celebrating a record year of fundraising in 2024.
Since its founding in 2006, CWO has raised over $3,145,000 for local non-profits and charities, a testament to the generosity and civic responsibility embraced by the women of the Cullasaja Club.
This year alone, the group raised an impressive $345,000, surpassing previous records and demonstrating the power of community-driven philanthropy. They distributed those funds to 29 local charities and nonprofits. Grants this year, ranged from supporting medical services like diagnostic tests for uninsured residents to educational initiatives aimed at enriching the lives of local children.
Eighty-one percent of dollars awarded went toward educational programs and health and humanitarian services, benefiting a wide range of those living and working in the area.
Margaret Eichman, Executive Director, reflected on the imminent community needs, stating, “This year, more than ever, our Outreach strove to recognize the unmet needs of people who struggle to make ends meet.”
CWO has become a symbol of civic empathy, a way to acknowledge and support the individuals who volunteer and contribute to the vibrancy of the Highlands-Cashiers region.
The organization was born from a simple, yet profound question posed to a few women living in the Cullasaja Club: “How can we make a difference in the broader community?” With an understanding of the responsibility that accompanies affluence, a small group of women formed an independent collaborative dedicated to raising funds for area non-profits. Today, the group is 99 women strong and operates as an all-volunteer organization, entirely focused on uplifting lives and specifically drawing attention to local not-for-profits providing for those in need.
The success of CWO lies in its meticulous approach to philanthropy. A 22-member grants committee conducted site visits, evaluated proposals, and reviewed organizational effectiveness to determine where this year’s funds would have the greatest impact.
Through their efforts, CWO continues to fulfill its purpose of “making our corner of the world a little better, one grant at a time. Through our giving, it has become ever more apparent that changing the world for the better begins with the actions we take in our own backyard,” expressed Eichman.
For more information, visit cullasajawomensoutreach.org.
