WREN NOW (New Outstanding Works) Fundraiser!
Our goal is $160,000.
Support us NOW with a donation that empowers WREN NOW, and please enjoy these stories of our work below.
We are NOW an entrepreneurial marketplace. The Store at WREN!
At The Store at WREN, an artisan brought her family to see her work. Her name is Kristina Olsen, long-time resident of the White Mountains. After finding herself unemployed due to COVID in 2020, she chose to follow her passion for creating quirky and exciting jewelry and accessories. She branded her microbusiness FiFi Paris. Kristina is as fun and fabulous as her brand. She became an entrepreneur in her 60s. “Look at my daughter! She is so happy doing this”, said Kristina’s 86-year-old mom. She received advice on product development, encouragement, and a big hug. She is one of 140 vendor members in our Store at WREN.
We are NOW a community development hub. Community Development at WREN!
With a big smile on her face and a check in her hand, a new recipient of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) was introduced to our team. She met with our community development director, executive director and store manager. Each one shook her hand and the excitement was contagious. She now has the funding to purchase equipment that will increase her service capacity. She is one of 26 business owners that will benefit from our participation in administration of this HUD grant. That is a $5,000 investment in microbusiness development facilitated by WREN.
We are NOW a fine art gallery of renown. The Gallery at WREN!
The Gallery at WREN was packed with excitement as Rebecca Fullerton and Jessica Fligg unveiled their show, “Two in the Wild.” Delicious food provided by The Grazing Gourmet, and the gallery was full of stimulating conversation as our community gathered in fellowship to patronize the arts. Thanks to ongoing support from The NH Charitable Foundation’s Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund, WREN sold paintings and solidified the importance of supporting entrepreneurial artists.
Thank you to all who participated in our strategic planning process this past year. We are using the data from that work to guide our work going forward.
Sincerely,
Shelly Watson, Executive Director, and Julie Weisman, Board President
To donate by mail, send a check to WREN at PO Box 331, Bethlehem, NH 03574