Spring is such a busy time of the year, but let's be honest, as we get older, every season is a busy time, and the “downtime” we expect to be right around the corner can be anything but elusive. I realize that.
I'm not the only one who notices that every spring, my calendar is as busy as ever, filled with celebrations, graduations, vacations, work, and all the good and not-so-great things life has to offer.
In our always-connected world, so goal-oriented and fast-paced, it's easy to forget to enjoy the moment we're in, even though life is currently in a “busy” season. Every May, I am forced to stop, reflect, and take a deep breath.
This month, Mother's Day rolls around, a reliable reminder of how mothers shape and influence not just their children, but entire families.
I reflect on the sacrifices my mother made for me and my siblings growing up, and the love she continued to show us even as adults who no longer relied on her for care. Like most mothers, she did everything in her power to feed her young children and grow them into mature men and women. These are people who actively contribute to their families and communities even as adults. Today, she does the same not just for her children, but for her many grandchildren. Her mother's work is never finished.
The Women's Fund of Smith County hosts a Mother's Day Luncheon each May. While we rightly recognize the tremendous influence of mothers, we also take the time to recognize the supportive and nurturing role that other women play in our lives. You don't have to be a mother to provide love and guidance.
Throughout my life, I have received advice, friendship, and encouragement from women who are dear friends, colleagues, and family members. In addition to my mother, these women have been my champions in both my professional and personal life, and for that I am forever grateful. Recognizing that each of us can make a real and lasting impact on one another, even if we are not someone's real mother, or even if we are not a mother at all, and take the time to reflect and appreciate it. That is important. The women who did that for us.
This giving circle annually funds grants that directly benefit women and children through members' annual pledges. Through an extensive review process and member voting, the Smith County Women's Fund selects meaningful organizations and specific projects that support our mission to advance health and wellness, education, arts and culture, and human services right here in Smith County. To do.
The Smith County Women's Fund currently has approximately 70 GIVE members. GIVE is a group of amazing and inspiring high school girls in Smith County who raise, vote, and donate in a style modeled after the Women's Fund. We are so proud of these generous and community-minded high school girls who have shown immense growth and enthusiasm in her GIVE over the past few years.
This April, GIVE awarded Bethesda Pediatrics its largest grant in history, $18,000. This grant will enable Bethesda to renovate its pediatric dental exam room and purchase a state-of-the-art dental chair designed specifically for children.This wonderful gift is perfectly matched with
The Women's Fund is dedicated to supporting the women and children of Smith County through philanthropy. Bethesda is a cornerstone of East Texas, providing medical, dental, and counseling services to low-income residents. These programs are designed to help mothers provide the care they need for themselves and their children that they otherwise wouldn't receive. This year's Mother's Day Luncheon will highlight how transformative this grant will be for Bethesda Pediatrics and its customers.
We invite you to see first-hand the community the Smith County Women's Fund has built at this year's Mother's Day Luncheon on Thursday, May 9th at Willowbrook Country Club. We come together to celebrate the causes we collectively hold dear, learn how we are making a real difference in our communities, and work together towards a common goal. Share how you were able to build closer relationships with each other.
This May, I encourage you to stop and think about not just your mom, but all the influential women who come into our lives and work to make us the women we aspire to be.
— Candice Polk has been a proud member of the Women's Fund since 2022 and is the 2024 Women's Fund Chair for the Smith County Mother's Day Luncheon. She is a planning advisor for her Clifford-Lewis Private Wealth and enjoys spending her free time volunteering with various organizations. Candace is happiest when traveling, gardening, and spending time with her boyfriend, friends, and pets.