By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Women Who Lead officially launched as a new nonprofit in Ellis County under a new name on Friday during a Hays Chamber Chat.
The organization, formerly known as Wonder Women League, was founded with 26 members in 2018 under the umbrella of the United Way of Ellis County.
In the year Women Who Lead was founded, Nancy Jeter was the chairwoman of the United Way campaign. She said she knew many women who wanted to help the community but didn't know where to start.
Jeter and Rhonda Meyerhoff served as co-chairwomen of the organization for its first several years.
During its first year, the organization created a Born Learning Trail in Hays to help young children learn shapes and colors. It also sponsored a self-defense class. Many projects have followed.
The organization's mission is to inspire and empower women to affect change in their community.
"We have a new name and a new look, but our mission remains the same," Jeter, president, said Friday.
It has grown to more than 150 members this year, Jeter said. She said it was time to cut the cord from the United Way, which provided support services to the organization during its growth.
The organization has completed 15 projects to date in 2023 alone.
Recent projects have included Born Learning Trail in Ellis, Russ Tuttle's Cyber Security presentation and collecting food for the Fort Hays State Univeristy food pantry.
Some of he organization's ongoing projects include Matthew's Gift, Project Suitcase and a scholarship for Ellis County women.
Matthew's Gift provides bags with care items for families who have to have a loved one transported from HaysMed to a trauma center.
Matthew’s Gift is named in honor of 3-year old Matthew Wellbrock, son of Curtis and Jeanna Wellbrock. In September 2016, Matthew was tragically injured and subsequently transferred from HaysMed to receive critical care at another facility.
There are about 75 transfers each year, and the project will continue as long as financially viable, according to the Women Who Lead.
Project Suitcase provides children who are removed from their homes by law enforcement or social services the gift of a duffle bag containing a soft blanket, stuffed animal, new pajamas and underwear, toys, toiletries, and a McDonald's gift card.
In the spring, Women Who Lead provided three $1,000 scholarships for women from Ellis County who are attending secondary schools in Ellis County this school year. Applications for the next scholarship will be opening soon with the deadline of March 31.
Women Who Lead is working on a project to light the Hays dog park. Lighting for the dog park is the No. 1 request to the City of Hays Parks Department.
Residents say they could take their dogs out to the park early in the morning before work (and after work for those that work later in the evening) if the park had lights, the organization said.
There have been reports of coyotes in the park after dark, and lighting would help alleviate the problem, according to the parks department.
There will be a lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the dog park at the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex. The public is invited to attend.
Women Who Lead will be accepting donations for the Humane Society of High Plains at the event, including:
• Purina dog, puppy, cat or kitten chow
• Rawhides and bones
• Puppy training pads
• Non-clumping cat litter
• Dog and cat toys
• Leashes and collars
• Window cleaner
• Bleach
Women Who Lead projects are funded through donations and dues of its members, as well as community sponsors and donations.
"As our sponsors grow, so do the number and the scope of the projects we do to benefit the community," Jeter said.
To learn more about Women Who Lead, follow its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/womenwholead.org. The organization will be launching a new website soon.
Editor's note: Cristina Janney is a member of the Women Who Lead.