WIGS holds 2015 annual luncheon and votes to donate $31,500 to four critical programs at People Helping People
On Thursday, April 9, the Women’s Independent Giving Society (WIGS) met for their 6th annual luncheon. The luncheon was attended by 21 sustaining and regular WIGS members. A Thai-inspired lunch was prepared by Mila Hart and Sandra Simon with cookies baked by Gerry Shepherd. The bountiful buffet was accompanied by wines donated from Foxen Winery and PHP’s Vino de Sueños wines. Dean Palius, CEO of People Helping People, presented the group with a report on the impact last year’s grants had on PHP operations and the lives of those they serve. Palius, together with PHP staff, Arcelia Sencion, Erica Valdés, and Justin Wilkins presented their priorities for funding in fiscal year 2015-16. Subsequent to the presentation, WIGS members voted to fund the following programs at the designated levels:
| Program | % Votes | $’s |
| SYV High School Mentoring | 19% | $5,985 |
| Los Alamos Youth | 10% | $3,150 |
| Homelessness Prevention | 26% | $8,190 |
| Services to Seniors | 45% | $14,175 |
TOTAL: $ 31,500
Generous funding from the Valley WIGS is essential to the work of PHP as the ranks of those in need has increased during the past five years of economic upheaval and as government at all levels has reduced funding. We are grateful to our continuing and new WIGS members who have decided to collect their resources and distribute them in a way to have the most direct and dramatic impact possible. There is no staff and no overhead expenses with WIGS and therefore every dollar goes directly to provide services here in our Santa Ynez and Los Alamos Valleys.