Orion Township resident Gigi Kreutzer had been looking for something to allow her and her daughter Willow to do something good in the community.
About a year ago, by chance, she met Crystal Mosher — from Woman’s Life Insurance Society of Port Huron. Through that chance meeting and follow up meetings the two were able to start a new service group — Woman’s Life Chapter 815, officially dubbed Ladies Luvin? Charity.
‘We are a networking group with a purpose and will do quarterly events and charitable projects regularly,? Kreutzer said.
On Sept. 11 in the back room of Oscars, the group elected officers, chose their name and finalized details for their first event, the Shopping Extravaganza! which will benefit HAVEN and the Lake Orion Lions Club.
Haven is a national nonprofit group in Pontiac which promotes ‘violence-free homes and communities.? They offer assistance to individuals and families in the wake of sexual or physical abuse.
Bring a non-parishable food item for the Lake Orion Lions? to fill food baskets for local’s in need this Thanksgiving.
‘We already have over 40 vendors, retailers, service groups and we even have a massage therapist,? Kreutzer — the group’s first president — said.
The Shopping Extravaganza! from 7 to 9 p.m., October 18 at Fountains Golf & Country Club in Independence Township. ‘It will be lots of fun and people will be able to get some early Christmas shopping in,? Kreutzer said. It’s also free and there will be raffles throughout the night.
Lake Orion students needing service hours can help with the event
Ladies Luvin? Charity will raise funds by charging $20 a vendor table, which will be matched by Woman’s Life.
According to Mosher, Woman’s Life is a national fraternal organization founded in Port Huron 120 years ago by a school teacher named Bina West. Woman’s Life provides women and their families with life insurance. ‘It’s about women getting together for fun, friendship and community service,? Mosher said.
Locally, Kreutzer said the group will work with Lake Orion Schools, students and the community. They plan to help other local groups, including teen pregnancy center in Oxford. ‘We want to give back to the community and get families out to our events — which we hope to have at least one every quarter,? she said.
To join, women need to be at least 15 and a half years old. The cost to join is $50 and each member will receive $150 reimbursement for such things as mamograms and other women’s health procedures.
‘It’s a neat concept,? Kreutzer said. ‘Everybody can get involved.?
The group will meet the first Wednesday of every month, beginning in November starting at 7 p.m. (Their event at Fountains will serve as their October meeting). According to Kreutzer, meetings will be at G’s Pizzeria, 2775 S Lapeer Road.
Officers are Kreutzer, president; Renee Klebba, treasurer; and Jen Batchelder, secretary. For more information send an email to gigi.kreutzer@gmail.com