COVER STORY CONTINUED
a charity club that partners with Rotary International. She will be attending the Honors College at the University of Arizona this fall.
think mainly I love the members. It’s a group where everybody does their fair share and it’s very clear that you’re there to work and earn money for the community,” Nancy said.
In many ways, Emma’s can-do attitude and community involvement hark back to her greatgrandmother Betsy. Board of Visitors Unfortunately, Betsy passed 2018 Grant Recipients away last May at the age of 92, before seeing Emma Brighter Way Institute presented at the Charity Central Arizona Dental Ball. “She was probably Society Foundation the most excited out of everyone,” Emma said. “She Duet: Partners in Health & Aging talked to me constantly Esperança about what I was going to Feeding Matters wear and how excited she was. She was basically Foundation for Blind Children the cause of it all.” Indeed, Betsy’s work with The Board of Visitors was a huge part of her legacy. “It was something that we may not have understood at the time, but as we got older we did understand,” Carolyn said. In fact, when Carolyn and Nancy were asked to be a part of The Board of Visitors, they began to better appreciate the kind of work the organization does.
Homeless Youth Connection Homeward Bound Honor Health Foundation Neighborhood Ministries Phoenix Rescue Mission Save the Family Streetlight USA Treasure House Phoenix UPWARD for Children and Families
Over the years, Nancy and Carolyn have attended many Charity Balls, but this year’s was particularly poignant. With Emma being a Flower Girl and Betsy having recently passed away, emotions were running high. “It would have meant the world for my mother to be able to see it because Emma in many ways is so much like her. She has talent and poise and love for people,” Carolyn said. “She’s a special kid, and I think my mom knew it.” As for Emma, she looks back on her year as a Flower Girl with gratitude, knowing it’s a thread that binds the women in her family, right back to her great-grandmother Betsy. “It means the world. My entire family was so excited for me to have finally gotten to the age where I’m able to do this. It’s super important to us because it’s the one thing that all of us have done,” she said.
“I’ve been a member of a lot of boards in my life. What sets The Board of Visitors in another category is the heart with which these members do their work,” Carolyn said.
But chances are this year’s Charity Ball isn’t the last one that the family will take part in. Emma has twin cousins who are currently 11 that hope to be Flower Girls themselves This year, the organization presented one day. And just like on the lovely spring $965,000 in grants to the community, providing night of April 7, 2018, the family is certain funds for projects that serve communities Betsy will be there in spirit. “She gave an in need. “I love the mission — healthcare awful lot to the organization, and so have for women, children and the elderly. But I we. It’s a good feeling,” Carolyn said.
Frontdoors editor Karen Werner is a writer, editor and media consultant. She has interned at The New Yorker, worked at Parents Magazine, edited five books and founded several local magazines. Her work has appeared in Sunset, Mental Floss and the Saturday Evening Post. 16 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | MAY 2018
