Plan ahead and start saving money! It’s almost time to do your Christmas Shopping at the Fundraiser for Cary Home for Girls. (Tuesday, December the 13th , from 11:30-1:00 at MCL, West Lafayette). What fun it is, every year, to see the donations from AWBO members and the community as we pull together to give back! I can’t tell you how excited and thankful Cary Home was to receive the big check of $5000.00 last year that we presented them at our meeting in February, this year!

Speaking of being thankful, November is the month where we are reminded to think about- and be thankful for-all that is around us: our loved ones, our companies and customers, and hopefully the “little things” we take for granted.

Those little things, such as grabbing a drink of clean water or snack from the fridge because we’re hungry! It struck me: many people don’t have these “luxuries”. I do these things on a whim without thinking twice. But I should!

This morning I had the indulgence of a nice, warm shower (including soap and shampoo) in my nice warm house. I ate a good breakfast and plan on having a good dinner tonight.

Something else I often take for granted: how fortunate we are to live in the United Stated of America. Unlike many women worldwide, we have the freedom to start our businesses, run them as we see fit, and participate in our little part of the “American Dream”. And it’s all because some very brave people, hundreds of years ago, decided to strike out for freedom in tiny ships!

I look forward to seeing you at the December Fundraiser/auction, where we can give to young women to help meet their needs and show them that someone DOES care about them and what they are going through. I am very thankful for each of you and look forward to our monthly meetings where we encourage one another.

Have a very "Thankful" holiday,
Melony Ramsey
AWBO President
Empowering Women