ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The local chapter of an international nonprofit is making a difference in the lives of women.
Commonly known as P.E.O., the Philanthropic Educational Organization works to support and motivate women along their educational journeys. Escanaba Chapter EE collects thousands of dollars for scholarships each year by making products to sell amongst its members, holding an annual yard sale, and hosting fundraisers.
“Each year, we try to give between $1,500 and $3,000 scholarships,” said P.E.O. Chapter EE member Kay Johnson. “Through the years, we have been able to work with our state membership and our international membership and give well over $25,000 in scholarships.”
The scholarships are awarded to women across the U.P. pursuing a college education. Many of Chapter EE’s scholarships go to Bay College students, often those going back to school later in life.
“We find through the letters that we receive from our recipients that every little bit helps,” Johnson said. “It might be daycare. It might be an apartment rental. We send them gift cards for gas continually so that they understand that we haven’t forgotten them just when we give them the check. Whatever we can do to help them and motivate them to keep going.”
Chapter EE’s next fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, at Northern Sun Winery in Bark River. It is part of the winery’s summer concert series from 4 to 6 p.m., featuring a performance by Finding Feathers. Admission is $10 at the door.
To learn more about Philanthropic Educational Organization and how to get involved in a local chapter, visit peointernational.org.
