Since 1959, a small group of Magnolia women have met to fundraise for local families
By Maggie Skinner, Executive Director of Goodwin Connections
Since 1959, 12 women have gathered each month in the Magnolia area of Seattle to support student parents.
These women, the “Katherine B. Friele Circle,” support the families helped by Seattle Milk Fund, recently renamed Goodwin Connections. Located in Interbay, Goodwin Connections is one of Seattle’s longest-running nonprofits.
The women of the group, now close friends, include past Board Presidents and Members, Circle Chairs, and Committee Members. They have been important fundraisers for the organization, producing auctions, bazaars, holiday house parties, and collecting donations at every meeting. The majority of the women live in and around Magnolia and Queen Anne.
Co-chairs Esther Ross and Kay Gullberg bring the Katherine B. Friele Circle together to build their friendships while supporting local student parents with childcare expenses – financial support that allows parents to attend college full-time, focus on their studies, graduate in a timely manner, and ultimately embark on a career that pays a living wage.
Esther Ross has been a supporter for about 22 years.
“I am inspired by the women in our circle who are so dedicated to giving
parents and children better opportunities through education,” said Ross.
Most of the women in the Katherine B. Friele Circle are in their 80s and have
been supporting student parents and their children for decades.
4 Ways to Protect Yourself From ID Theft This Holiday Season
(StatePoint) ‘Tis the season for holiday shopping. When making purchases online, be sure to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft -- it’s more common than you may think.
With just a few pieces of personal information, thieves can open new credit lines, drain bank accounts and file fraudulent tax returns. The Federal Trade Commission says credit card fraud was the number one type of identity theft reported in 2018, with 167,000 people saying their information was misused on an existing account or used to open a new credit card account. No matter what form it takes,
identity theft can cost thousands of dollars and take years to correct.
Below are four tips to help prevent identity theft:
1. Vary passwords: Use a different username and password for each shopping account. That way, if someone steals your information on one account, they won’t be able to go on a shopping spree at other sites, too.
2. Track transactions: Check your statements for any suspicious activity. If you
Current members of the Katherine B. Friele Circle are: Mary Anne Abel, Moira Borchert, Sue Colbeck, Barbara Franklin, Carole Furness, Joy Goodenough, Kay Gullberg, Shirley McCarter, Jean McLaughlin, Karen Michaelsen, Esther Ross, and Paula Whitham.
Photo by Lydia Brewer Photography
MAGNOLIA, Page 2
(c) Nattakorn Maneerat / iStock via Getty Images Plus
“Their longevity and dedication to our common cause is remarkable,” said Goodwin Connections’ Board Vice President and Katherine B. Friele Circle Member Paula Whitham. “We are lucky to have supporters who are such cheerleaders for our families.”
Goodwin Connections’ seasonal campaign running now through the end of the year is called, JOYful Giving, and is named after one of the Katherine B. Friele Circle women – Joy Goodenough. It was her idea that spurred a donation campaign over the holidays.
Since she was a child, Joy has participated in fundraising events for Goodwin Connections.
Joy’s mother, Sally Vanasse, was a founding member of the organization’s “Town & Country Circle” in 1940. Joy also serves as the organization’s “unofficial” historian.
“I was a charter member of the Katherine B. Friele Circle in 1959. My mother sponsored our circle of young women, who were the daughters and friends of other members,” said Past Board President Joy Goodenough. “My circle continues to meet monthly and take part in events. I love them.”
All donations over the holidays go directly to support Goodwin Connections’ families. To learn more about the organization, visit GoodwinConnections.org.
don’t recognize a transaction, contact your credit card company or bank right away.
3. Beware of scams: Watch out for phishing scams in which fraudsters send emails that look like they’re from a reputable company, but aren’t. Avoid clicking on links in emails as they may download
malware that can give thieves access to your personal information. Always visit a retailer’s website directly to make a purchase.
4. Get identify theft insurance: Some insurance companies offer coverage to make the process of undoing the damage from identity theft easier and less costly. For example, Erie Insurance has Identity Theft Recovery Coverage, an affordable
option that can easily be added to a homeowners or renters insurance policy.
“When someone uses information about you without your permission, it takes time and money to straighten things out,” said Robert Buckel, vice president of product management at Erie Insurance. “This coverage offers peace of mind to help you
restore your credit and make the process -and your life -- a little easier.”
Protecting your identity may not be top-of-mind during the holiday shopping season, but with just a few safeguards in place, your online security can be greatly enhanced.
1950 “Roaring 20s” Party, pictured are Sally Vanasse, John Harvey, Laura Harvey & Ace Vanasse
Mary Anne Abel and Joy Goodenough
Terry Dessert and Joy Goodenough
Generation 50+ 2020 Schedule
