Alexandria, VA – When Laura Turner shows up on the doorstep of an aspiring nonprofit in Alexandria with a check valued in the thousands, she is often met with cheers and hugs. To her surprise, a rousing recent serenade of gratitude offered by the board and members of The Alexandria Singers went above far and above the usual, adding harmony and stage quality expected of “The Washington D.C.’s Metro Area’s Premier Pops Chorus.”
As a member of the leadership team Alexandria Women for Good, Turner, a software sales director at Talroo, also enjoys the continuing success of AWfG—now more than 155 women–whose hearts and wallets support Alexandria’s nonprofit community. Turner and the three members of AWFG’s Leadership Team—Laura Herron, Janice Nichols, and Lee Platt, who are all introduced on the AWfG website, share an expanding sense of accomplishment with four quarterly presentations of a check for nonprofits making a difference for other Alexandrian citizens. In its first full year of operation in 2023, the AWfG individual members bestowed over $38,000 in supportive funding on four deserving nonprofit groups that engage in daily outreach to every age group in Alexandria. Join HERE.
In 2022, and fairly new to Alexandria, Turner helped organize AWfG as a networking organization that helps women in Alexandria build connections and enrich their professional and personal lives while doing good for the greater community. The group attracts new members online through the grapevine. It comes together once every quarter to network, donate, learn about local nonprofits, and vote on which ones to support. AWfG’s first selected recipient of community lodgings received $6,720 and surpassed AWfG’s first-time fundraising goal of $5,000, reaching 134% of its targeted amount.
Since that first AWfG contribution, donations have increased and nonprofit recipients have diversified. AWfG checks in 2023 were awarded each quarter: First Quarter, the Carpenter Shelter ($9,700); Second Quarter, Together We Bake ($11,000); Third Quarter, The Child and Family Network ($10, 500); and Fourth Quarter, The Alexandria Singers ($10,300).
“It’s a testament to our members and to the women who are inspired to contribute,” explained Turner, adding that every member agrees to contribute a monthly amount when joining the organization. “We are super-appreciative of all of the nonprofits supporting our community.”
One glance at the AWF website reflects the growing enthusiasm shared by its members who post the amount raised to a quarterly goal. Within the last few days, its 2024 First Quarter Goal of $11,000 showed $10,425 already raised with “95% achieved and 22 days to go.” Turner shared that the nonprofit recipient will be determined when the first quarter closes on April 3. Before that exciting decision, members of AWfG are scheduled to meet for a Happy Hour on Thursday, March 21, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., at Indochen, 1625 King Street, Old Town Alexandria.
UPDATE: This story now includes the correct lin for membership.
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