March signals the ramp-up to the OCF’s annual 100+ Women Who Care, a fantastic event where women from our community gather and award impactful grants to local nonprofit organizations within an hour! We are spotlighting Toni Straughen this month, one of the 100+ WWC ambassadors who work diligently to make this event a success every year. Toni has been a 100+ WWC ambassador for 4 years. Toni is a Michigan native who is a Sunrise Side gal, having grown up in Greenbush, MI. She went to high school with our own Dana Bensinger. (Who would have seen this connection coming back then?) Toni spent time in Lansing and Novi before landing in Gaylord. She has worked in various positions in credit unions, which helped her understand people and money. She was searching for the right opportunity to bring her closer to family and live where she could enjoy herself. A position at Edward Jones in Gaylord was just the ticket! Living in this golf mecca has also allowed her to work on her golf swing. What a bonus!
Here is more about Toni in her own words.
What do you love about Otsego County?
What I love the most about Otsego County is it’s centrally located and within an hour’s drive of many desirable destinations in Northern MI. It embraces that small-town culture of supporting one another in business and life.
What are your hopes for Otsego County?
Responsible growth. Otsego County is an ideal place to live and growing seems almost unavoidable. Responsible growth to me means taking opportunities when they are apparent to build a robust offering to the people who live and work here while maintaining the charm of small town Up north living.
What are you looking forward to this year for 100+ Women Who care?
I have volunteered as an ambassador for the 100 Women Who Care event. This is more than an event – it’s a feeling. A real buzz is created in the crowd on this night. Such a positive impact is made for vulnerable and necessary resources in our community in just 60 minutes. Interest and attendance continue to grow, which is very exciting for those affected directly or indirectly. I look forward to continuing to be an ambassador for the 100WWC event and its mission.
To participate in this real-time, community-driven philanthropic event, register here!