Dancing with Our Stars
The Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay is proud and excited to announce that we have a STAR among us! Women’s Fund Advisory Board Member Melinda Morella-Olson will be a featured dancer in the NEW Dancing with Our Stars competition on October 5, 2024 in Green Bay. Melinda will be dancing to benefit the Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay and support local women and girls. Melinda has been volunteering for the Women’s Fund for 10 years, and is the Senior Director of Sustainability Products at Breakthrough.
About the NEW Dancing with Our Stars Event
NEW Dancing with Our Stars is a spectacular event resembling “Dancing with the Stars.” The event is a collaborative effort involving the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and Rally Man Entertainment. This annual event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable organizations throughout Brown, Kewaunee, and Oconto Counties. Melinda will be competing against seven other dancers on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the EPIC Event Center in Green Bay. More than 700 people are expected to attend! All tickets to the event are $100 (100% tax-deductible donation) and seating will be general admission. To inquire about purchasing tickets, please email: [email protected].
Participants will compete for votes in the form of donations. The dancer collecting the most donations will be awarded the coveted Jim Rivett Memorial Fundraising Mirror Ball Trophy. People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice Awards will also be awarded.
Donate to the Women’s Fund Dancing with Our Stars campaign
Help Melinda reach her goal of raising $100,000 for the Women’s Fund! Melinda has selected $100,000 as her fundraising goal because adding $100,000 to the Women’s Fund endowment will ensure at least one additional program that empowers women in our community will be funded every year, in perpetuity! Raising funds for The Women’s Fund is not just about monetary contributions; it is about making a tangible difference in the lives of women in our communities. All donations are tax deductible. If you would like to discuss a corporate sponsorship, please contact Melinda Morella-Olson at [email protected]
I Donated! What is the Impact?
Your donation, in whatever amount is meaningful to you, is critical to the legacy of supporting women in Northeast Wisconsin for generations to come. Our last grant cycle yielded double the amount of applicants and triple the funds requested. By raising an additional $100,000 through the Dancing with Our Stars campaign, the Women’s Fund will be able support an additional program like the one below every year in perpetuity.
The Winner’s Circle
We are so grateful to those who have supported Melinda and the Women’s Fund on this journey! Thank you for making a positive difference in the lives of local women and girls.
Platinum: $1,000+
- FIRE Fitness
Gold: $500+
- Laura Hacker Dorsch
- Nicolet Bank
- Norwest Mezzanine Partners
- Jenny Vander Zanden
Silver: $250+
- Jamal Cunningham
- Sarah and Aaron N.
- Carly Resch
Bronze: $100+
- Abby Farragh
- Amy Fusek
- HonorBound Fitness
- Kira Ohlsen
- Lindsey Petasek
- Kristin Rozek
- Nancy Sederstrom
- Nicole Tilot
- Diane Verhagen
Sponsors
Thank you, so much, to the following companies who have supported the Women’s Fund through the Dancing with Our Stars campaign! If your company is interested in joining this list of supporters, please reach out to Melinda at [email protected] to discuss sponsorships benefits.
Other Ways to Get Involved
Melinda has partnered with Luna Cafe to create a bold dark roast coffee called Rhythm Roast. For every bag of Rhythm Roast sold, Luna will generously donate $5 to the Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay in support of Melinda’s campaign. You can purchase the coffee by filling out this form. If you are interested in selling bags of Rhythm Roast at your place of business, please contact Melinda.
A Message from Melinda
I am both honored and humbled to have the opportunity to dance (and more importantly, raise money) for The Women’s Fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. My decision to pour my time, talent, and treasure into this organization, specifically, goes back to when I was a little girl. I have been incredibly fortunate in my life to have people who support me, lift me up, and believe in me, starting with my parents who instilled in me a hard work ethic and a belief that I could do anything I set my mind to.
It is not lost on me that not all young girls or women have had a similar experience, which is why I’m on a mission to give back. To pay it forward and uplift other women and girls who may not have had the same support system that I have been fortunate to have. This is why I am so passionate about supporting The Women’s Fund.
This organization embodies everything that I stand for— empowering women, inspiring girls, and investing in women for a stronger community. By raising money for The Women’s Fund, we are investing in the future of women and girls in our community for generations to come, leaving a legacy that ensures a future where women are valued, elevated, and empowered to live happy, healthy, fulfilled lives.
Every little bit counts as the Women’s Fund works to increase their support for women and girls in our community. Thank you for your donation; I am truly grateful.
The Impact of Investing in Women and Girls
Supporting the Opportunity for Girls to “Skate” Into their Dreams
Women and girls need spaces where they feel secure. That’s where Green Bay Action Sports Organization, known as GBASO, comes in. The non-profit aims to provide a safe environment for area youth to expand their action sports progression while sponsoring a culture of education and mentorship.
Understanding the need to support women and girls, after receiving a $5,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay in the Fall of 2023, GBASO decided to set up a “Ladies Night” program. The 8-week event was held from January 8 to February 26, 2024. The event was completely free for women and girls and included rentals of bikes and boards, plus skatepark access.
According to GBASO managers, they were aiming for 15 girls and women to attend. They surpassed that goal. In fact, one night, they saw up to 60 girls and women. GBASO Executive Director Shane Stout told local news station, WFRV, the park prided itself for its inclusivity.
“This program is pivotal in breaking down barriers and fostering a supportive environment where women of all ages can discover their strengths, build confidence, and connect with like-minded individuals,” he told the outlet in February 2024.
