GRAND RAPIDS — There is power in community. And in this case, power in women coming together to make a difference.
It began with an invitation to speak at the regional American Association of University Women gathering on Oct. 4 in Grand Rapids, and ended with an outpouring of support for KAXE by more than 170 women.
KAXE News Director Chelsey Perkins, Reporter Megan Buffington and I spoke to the approximately 50 women about why local media matters and recent gutting of federal funding to all of public media.
We explained the vital role of journalists as watchdogs, reporting on local government, connecting issues across the region — like recent threats to public libraries — and reporting the news for a rural audience that doesn't often see themselves reflected in other media.
The AAUW group was fully engaged and asked thoughtful questions of our team, displaying a genuine curiosity about KAXE's work.
The final question came from Kathy Pliska, who asked if we were a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. When I said yes, she explained the AAUW women planned to nominate us for the 100+ Women Who Care event on Monday, Oct. 13. As Karen Karls, who invited us to speak at AAUW, said, "You lit a fire under Kathy!"
The movement
100 Who Care Alliance is a part of a nationwide movement of communities pooling their resources to make a collective impact. Local chapters host 100+ Women Who Care events in Northern Minnesota communities like Grand Rapids, Walker, Brainerd, Little Falls and Ely. 100+ Women Who Care-Itasca Area describes the group as women in the greater Itasca County area interested in making a positive impact for community nonprofits.
The event was hosted by Timberlake Lodge in Grand Rapids, with more than 100 women in attendance. True to her word, Kathy Pliska nominated KAXE.
During a random drawing of three nonprofits, KAXE's name was pulled. Kathy took the microphone on behalf of KAXE and talked about our long history of community service and the recent loss of about $230,000 per year of federal funding. She emphasized the importance of local news and radio gathering places like Green Cheese Trivia, which drew plenty of "woo-hoos" from the women in the room.
Along with two other worthy nonprofits of Itasca Area Cancer Crisis Fund and the North Country Trail Association, KAXE became one of the three options for the vote. Women walked behind a privacy screen and dropped their ticket into a container for the one they wanted to receive the group's donation.
Shocked does not begin to describe how those of us in attendance felt when our station's name was announced. KAXE Morning Show Producer Jennifer Barr, Business Support Specialist Brenda Greeley, volunteer Nicole Hoops and I accepted the giant check of $17,425 with gratitude.
Even more astonishing was a last-minute announcement of an anonymous donation to match the night's fundraiser for the nonprofit with the second most vote: Itasca Area Cancer Crisis Fund.
Our heartfelt thanks to the AAUW Grand Rapids branch, Itasca County 100+ Women Who Care, Timberlake Lodge and Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation. KAXE will use these funds wisely to bring Northern Minnesota the news, conversation, music and events you deserve.
Listen to the conversation above with Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation's Executive Director Mindy Nuhring to hear more about how this nationwide movement began in the Itasca County area.
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