Bend, OR – July 3, 2013 – Every July the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NEW) turns the spotlight on local non-profit organizations during its monthly meeting, which this year falls on Wednesday, July 17. Instead of the kind of business- or life-enhancing program that usually follows an hour of networking and a yummy dinner (courtesy of the St. Charles venue), local non-profit organizations will have the chance to share what they do with the 80 to 100 women in attendance.

This opportunity extends well beyond showcasing these non-profit organizations. NEW believes in empowering women in business and in life, and the organization walks that walk. So at the end of the meeting all the members in attendance vote on which non-profit organization will be the beneficiary of funds raised at NEW’s Holiday Gala in December.

We’re not talking about chump change here. In 2011, NEW raised $3,617 for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), allowing the organization to train more than a dozen additional children’s advocates. Last year the women’s organization more than doubled that total, handing over $7,000 to Meadowlark Manor which is dedicated to empowering troubled girls so they become successful young women. The funds raised by NEW created significant educational and recreational opportunities for the young residents that they wouldn’t have otherwise had.

This year’s NEW Non-Profit Showcase Extravaganza will feature eight local non-profit organizations:

“At NEW we not only create community among our members and help support their businesses, we support our local community,” says Diane Kulpinski, NEW’s recently elected president. “Through our annual Non-Profit Showcase Extravaganza, all the participating non-profits wind up with exposure and some new volunteers, and one lucky winner winds up with significant funds to help them with their mission.”

For more information, please call Amanda Albrich at (541) 848-8598, check out the NEW website at www.networkwomen.org or come visit in person. NEW meets at 5 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at St. Charles (tickets are available on the website). You can attend up to two meetings without being a member. Of course, NEW is pretty sure you’ll want to join after a single visit. After all, where else are you going to find such a mix of business opportunities, networking, friendship and fun?