Women United Flagler Chapter Announces 2022 Woman of the Year

PALM COAST, Fla. - Sept. 7, 2022 - PRLog -- The Women United Flagler Chapter is pleased to announce that the group has named member Lori Gold as Woman of the Year for 2022. Lori received the award at the organization's 14th Annual Flagler Power of the Purse VIP Preview event that was held on August 29 at Elite Dance and Travel in Palm Coast. As part of her prize, the winner receives $500 to be donated to the charity of her choice. Lori has selected the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the Feed Flagler - through Flagler County Schools - to receive $250 each.

"Lori has been an enthusiastic and involved volunteer and member since 2015," said Co-President of Women United Flagler Diane Wasney. "We were so pleased to have the opportunity to honor her in this way," Diane added. "I am humbled and honored to have received this recognition and strive to make a positive impact in our community," said Lori. Lori was also a United Way Campaign representative and Old Kings Elementary teacher prior to her involvement with Women United Flagler.

Candidates for Woman of the Year must be an active member and are evaluated on the following criteria; Number of volunteer hours at events, number of volunteer hours towards non-Women United Flagler events, participates on or chairs a committee, participates at board meetings, attends events, advocates on behalf of Women United Flagler and participates on the Speakers Bureau.

This year's Power of the Purse event grossed over $14,000 through the sale of auction items, sponsorships, and VIP ticket sales. The 2021 Power of the Purse raised $13,176 which has brought the total raised by the organization over the past 12 years to $135,587.

Beyond the Power of the Purse, Women United Flagler is best known for their food-raising project Chicks with Cans. Members volunteer outside Publix's collecting monetary donations for Feed Flagler in the spring and fall. All donations received stay in Flagler County to help those that are food insecure. Since 2012, Chicks with Cans has collected monetary donations totaling $75,781.

In 2021, the group distributed $16,150 in food and grants to local agencies, such as The Flagler Education Foundation, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Teens-In-Flight, Family Life Center, Christmas Come True, Stewart Marchman WARM, Abundant Life Ministries, Food Brings Hope, WaterSafe, and more. In addition, each year the group provides high school scholarships at both Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas High Schools. Since inception in 2009, Women United Flagler has raised and given back over $287,000 to the Flagler County community.

Anyone that would like to get involved with Women United Flagler can reach out to the United Way Volusia Flagler, or by messaging the group's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FlaglerCountyWomenUnited/.