Nearly $100,000 raised so far, Raleigh Giving Party focuses on giving back during this season of "give me"

The cozy, feel-good event of the season ushers in the holidays and offers a chance for girlfriends to gather, mix, mingle, drink and donate to support local charitable organizations.

Posted 1:56 a.m. Nov 20, 2017 — Updated 1:56 a.m. Nov 20, 2017

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

As we head into the season of "give me," a group of Raleigh women is focusing on how we all can give back.

The seventh annual Raleigh Giving Party is set for Nov. 30. The cozy, feel-good event of the season ushers in the holidays and offers a chance for girlfriends to gather, mix, mingle, drink and donate to support local charitable organizations. In its history, the Raleigh party, based on a similar party in Chapel Hill, has raised nearly $100,000.

At its helm is Christina Woelffer, now a stay-at-home mom of three in north Raleigh, who once was a vice president with the marketing agency French/West/Vaughan in Raleigh where she led the apparel practice with Wrangler Jeans, Justin Boots and VF Corporation as her main clients. Among her big projects: Convincing the New York Pops to perform with Wrangler endorsee Brad Paisley while donned in Wrangler.

Since “retiring” in 2008, Woelffer has served on a variety of boards and committees. She's also co-founder of the National Giving Party and is the founder of the Raleigh Giving Party.

I checked in with Woelffer to learn more about what the Raleigh Giving Party is all about. Here's a Q&A:

Go Ask Mom: Lots of us are used to cookie exchanges or holiday parties this time of year, how is this different?

Christina Woelffer: Well, you’ve probably been invited to at least one sip-and-shop party in your life. You know, drink wine, look at candles/jewelry/clothing/cookware/marital aids, and purchase stuff that you may or may not want or need.

In 2007, some big-hearted gals in Chapel Hill keenly thought perhaps they could put an interesting twist on this shopping-party concept and do a little good locally at the same time. So they gathered up some fun, creative, do-gooder girlfriends and launched the Giving Party that November.

Ten years later, the magic of the Giving Party has touched 11 cities, 86 organizations and nearly 2200 guests and raised $365,000. And the merry holiday do-good spirit continues with our seventh annual Raleigh Giving Party! We’ll save the candle/cookware for the next party.

GAM: What's a quick history of the Giving Party and why did you get involved?

CW: Since its inception in Chapel Hill in November 2007, girlfriends have gathered in cities including Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Cary, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Durham, London, England, Charleston, Mill Valley, Calif., and Vancouver, BC, to support local nonprofits at Giving Parties.

How did I get involved? In December 2010, I was on the board of a local nonprofit that was invited to the Giving Party in Chapel Hill, and, wow, was that a magical night! It was so magical that I asked the Chapel Hill gals if I could spread the magic of the Giving Party to Raleigh in 2011 … and the rest is history.

GAM: What are the parties like? I hear you make some fast friends!

CW: It’s so true! How can you not make friends at a merry party with outstanding wine (thank you, Eliza Kraft Olander!), fabulous food, and a home full of like-minded women interested in bettering their community? It’s actually a simple recipe: We invite all of our girlfriends, serve sips and nibbles, and ask representatives from favorite local non-profits to share the work their organizations do.

Our guests can make a donation to any, all, or none – there’s no pressure and the giving is anonymous. The point is just to give and have fun doing it! The coziness and merriment of the season are in full force as girlfriends join causes, connections are made, and we Give Until it Feels Good!

GAM: What charities are you supporting this year and why?

CW: Each year, the four hostesses choose a local nonprofit to invite to the party, and we each have different reasons every year! This year, we have chosen Canine Companions for Independence, Read and Feed, Dress for Success of the Triangle, and Rebuilding Together of the Triangle.

GAM: What's your hope for the Raleigh Giving Party going forward?

CW: Oh, gosh! That’s a big question! Well, my crystal ball says that our work to create a Raleigh legacy event for women – this magical, purposeful party – will result in a passing of the torch to a group of driven, do-good women. But let the record show that’s not happening anytime soon! We still have more to do in the way of illuminating local nonprofits doing meaningful work and introducing them to our big-hearted girlfriends.

We are on a quest to have the women of Raleigh Give Until it Feels Good! That and throw the best party of the season!

The Raleigh Giving Party is open to all area women. If you'd like to attend, visit the Raleigh Giving Party's website and click on "contact us" to let them know you'll be there.

Go Ask Mom features local moms every Monday.

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