To contact WomenAde of the Greater Squamscott
Fundraising Events for nonprofit helping women and families in crisis
Homepage for Womenade of Greater Squamscott
How to get involved with this charitable organization
About the WomenAde organization and its Board of Directors
Breakdown of funds raised and how they were spent to provide support and assistance to families in need
 Links to other nonprofits, charities and organization providing welfare assistance
About Womenade of Greater Squamscott and its Board of Directors

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 Womenade of Greater Squamscott.

Karen Monaco
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.”
"So many times women need a helping hand to get through a rough spot and you were there at just the right time."
 
Mary Jane Keane Mary Jane Keane
MJ is the rainmaker. She read the article in the Boston Globe about the WashingtonWomenade 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.”
Mary Donovan Mary Donovan
Mary is efficiency personified. E-mail lists, mailing lists, letters to the press -- all those myriad details – Mary gets them done. Womenade has benefited tremendously thanks to Mary’s devotion to detail. She is also a expert in nonprofits. Her MBA and work with area nonprofits led her to understand those ins and outs.Mary lives in Stratham with her husband, George, and three teenagers. She has coached lacrosse and loves being outdoors and anything athletic. 
Womenade, appeals to Mary because of “its efficiency. I like that it respects the client. Many nonprofits make the client go through red tape. Womenade is quick. We don’t make them jump through hoops.”
Charlene Gelineau 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.".


Laura Batchelder Laura Batchelder
Womenade of Greater Squamscott’s community liaison, Laura is a true native of Stratham: She can trace her family back 12 generations. She teaches Phys. Ed. at Stratham Memorial School and loves being outdoors, working with kids and reading.
She is a single-mom with two adult boys, one in college and one a teacher. “If Womenade had been around when I had two small children, I could have used the help,” she says.
Laura believes Womenade is one of her major accomplishments in life. “It is fundraising and it is helping people and it is kept simple. Doing a huge fundraiser is something I don’t want any part of.”
Susan Drinker 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.”
Julia Higgins Julia Higgins
Julia, aka, Jules is Womenade’s Minute Taker Extraordinaire. She reminds the board about what’s been said, what we’re supposed to do and when we’re meeting again.
She and her husband Dave, live in Stratham.
She is a tutor in the area and her passions
are being with her three boys and Dave,
bird watching, skiing, singing with
Mamapella and spending time with Bode, the family shih tzu.
She joined Womenade because, “MJ asked me
to. I love the dignity it affords people and the
lack of red tape. I like to be involved with
groups whose mission is to give back to the community in some way
   
"I never dreamed you could help with all these expenses. She is so relieved to know you are helping."
Kari Lazerowich Kari Lazerowich
  
in wildlife management prepared her well for raising two boys.
Her passion is horseback riding and most days, she’s “at the barn.” Kari lives in Stratham with her husband, Howie, their teen-age boys, and their Corgie, Cooper. “I wanted to be involved with a charity that was home-based and saw it as a great opportunity to help people. And I always love the chance to be creative.”
Kari is Womenade’s graphics guru. She knows how to make things look good: invitations, posters, brochures, and don’t forget the gorgeous logo.
A degree in Zoology from the University
of New Hampshire, combined with studies
       
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