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Mary Jane Keane  |
MJ is the rainmaker. She read the article in the Boston Globe about the Washington Womenade and saw the need to act. She rounded up the board, put the wheels in motion and continues to be the one who makes things happen.
In addition to Womenade, MJ volunteers with Families First in Portsmouth. With two sons, two stepsons and her husband, Tom, MJ has become an avid golfer. “It was sink or swim,” she says. She also loves to garden.
“I love the simplicity of Womenade,” she says. “A small group of women can make such a big difference; it is the power of pooling our energies.” |
Susan Drinker  |
Susan lives in Exeter with her husband Nick. They have three grown children and besides being with her family and friends,
Susan loves to travel, knit, and read, and teaches at Main Street School in Exeter.
She first heard of Womenade at the Mamapella’s benefit concert last spring.
“I was touched by what they accomplished and knew I wanted to be a part of it somehow. In my job, I see so many families in crisis and it is awesome that there are women in our community who recognize this and come together
to help.” |
Karen Monaco  |
Karen, Womenade of Greater Squamscott’s number cruncher, provides up-to-the-minute reports on how much money is in the bank, how much Womenade made, how much we gave out. With an accounting degree from Boston College, she’s well prepared.
Karen also loves activity, whether it’s walking, hiking, biking or skiing (snow and water). She and her husband, Bob, live in Stratham, with two daughters at home and one in college.
“I joined Womenade when MJ asked because I love the efficiency and speed that a request gets processed. Also it is fantastic that 100 percent of donations go right back into the community.” |
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Womenade of Greater Squamscott was born on cold and snowy day in January, 2005. The idea is to enjoy the company of women friends while raising money to help local people, whether they are in crisis or are facing a small stumbling block.
Despite the blizzard conditions on that January night, 50 area women attended and agreed that this show of unity, generosity and spirit was just what the community needed. To date, Womenade has assisted families to buy groceries, to repair automobiles and to pay for childcare, heating fuel and much more. .
Womenade of Greater Squamscott primarily serves the communities of Brentwood, Newfields, Stratham, Exeter, Kensington, Newmarket and East Kingston and hopes to spark the spread of more local chapters in the region. Co-founders of the group are Stratham residents Laura Batchelder, Mary Donovan, Julia Higgins, Mary Jane Keane, Karen Lazerowich and Karen Monaco, as well as Judi Sewall of Exeter. The group holds three to four evemts a year and encourages contact from those interested in helping as well as those who know of individuals in need of help.
The Womenade concept was created in 2001 in Washington, DC when six women friends met for supper in an area restaurant. One of the women, Dr. Amy Kossoff, talked about how she wrote checks from her personal account to help her low-income patients with small bills for prescriptions, co-pays, and field trips. Kossoff estimated that she had probably given away close to $10,000 in the past year. One of her friends suggested that they all help pay these costs. Instead of going out to eat, they decided to have several potluck dinners and ask everyone attending to contribute $35, (the amount of money that would have been spent for a meal at a restaurant).
Today, this simple idea has sparked groups in many states. The Womenade formula has raised money for countless families with financial issues that range from medical care to paying for a Little League uniform.
Womenade requests that all applications for assistance come from validated community resources. To request assistance, please e-mail us.
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Dianne Vandermale 
Dianne sends out the e-mails keeping everyone informed of the latest news and events for Womenade.
She lives in Brentwood with her husband, Jim and teaches first grade at Swasey Central School.
Before moving to New Hampshire she taught at an inner city school in Ann Arbor, Mich.
After attending several Womenade events she was impressed with how quickly they were able to give the support needed to help families get back on track.
When asked to serve on the board she said, "Yes!" without hesitation.
Dianne and Jim have three sons. If it's winter, you can find them watching the boys play hockey.
In the off season, Dianne enjoys reading at the beach.
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 Valerie Carrico |
Val has operated her communications business for the past 17 years providing graphic design, writing and editing primarily to non-profit organizations. A Stratham resident for 12 years, she lives with her husband, two children and chocolate lab! Val has enjoyed being part of Womenade for the past couple years helping local Seacoast families and was honored when asked to serve on the Board. She enjoys traveling (especially in Europe), cooking, entertaining, beach-time, walking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and spending time with family and friends. Recently, Val has become interested in golf and plans to spend more time learning the game. |
 Sue Champagne
Sue lives in Newfields with her husband Marty and their two sons.
She enjoys walking, reading, antiques, craft fairs and the ocean.
Sue has worked in health care for over 20 years, advocating for patients and families. She has a Master’s degree in social work and an MBA.
She joins Womenade because of the creative, simple and efficient way they meet the needs of the community.
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 Charlene Gelineau |
If it’s anything outdoors,count Charlene
Gelineau in. An avid sailor, Charlene also
loves to kayak, cross-country and
downhill ski, hike and snowshoe.
Both she and her husband, Gil, are longtime residents of Stratham where Charlene taught elementary school and they raised their two daughters, Amy and Robyn.
Charlene attended some of the first Womenade events in 2005 and
continued to attend events when
she was able.
“I love the simplicity of the organization," she says. "It fills gaps for people in our community, whether it’s before social services steps in for expenses that aren’t necessarily covered.". |
 Judy O'Reilly
Recently retired from teaching kindergarten,
Judy is finding more time to do the things she loves: spending time with her family, traveling, walking, dancing and reading.
Another passion she now devotes more time to is community involvement.
“As a teacher, I had the opportunity to help families in need through Womenade,” she says. “I saw the immediacy of the help and I am so proud to be part of such a wonderful hands-on organization.”
Now as a Womenade board member, she takes minutes of meetings.
Judy lives in Exeter with her husband, Sean.
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