March 12, 2024

S.H.E. Counts (Supporting Helping Empowering Women), Grinnell Mutual, The Grinnell Chamber of Commerce, and Solera are celebrating Women’s History Month with Women + Friends: Women’s History Month Night Out on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024, from 10am-8pm. The event is an opportunity for anyone to shop deals at Grinnell retailers, support S.H.E Counts initiatives, and end the evening with happy hour at Solera.

The day will begin with shopping at various Grinnell retailers participating in the event, including Anna Katye’s Boutique, Bate’s Flowers by Design, Beckman Gallery & Gifts, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Home Comforts, Loralei’s Giftshoppe, Spoiled Dogs Co., Stepping Stones Christian Bookstore, and Suzi’s Boutique. Each retailer will offer specials and giveaways all day with extended hours until 6:30pm. Kendra Vincent, the Member Engagement Coordinator at the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, says, “We’re excited to be a part of an event that highlights so many wonderful aspects of Grinnell. We’ve got a great group of participating small businesses all pitching in to support an incredible nonprofit. We look forward to the evening and hope to see you there.”

After shopping, participants will come together at Solera for happy hour beginning at 6pm. Solera’s owner Colleen Klainert, will have a selection of wine for cash purchase with the proceeds to be donated towards S.H.E. Counts’ Period Product Drive. Klainert says, “I’m happy to support women wherever they are in their lives.” Appetizers will also be provided. The evening will continue with a raffle and door prizes beginning at 6:45pm. Products to donate for the period product drive include tampons, pads, liners, and menstrual cups in their original packaging. For a donation of period products, your name will be entered to win a door prize. Raffle tickets will be an additional fee of $5.00 each with all proceeds to benefit the SHE Counts period product drive. All prizes for the event will be donated by local businesses. Brielle Phifer, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Grinnell Mutual says, “We are excited to collaborate with S.H.E. counts and the Chamber again this year. We hope to see great community spirit with shopping at the downtown businesses, donations of products and friends attending the period product party at Solera.”

“This event will help assist S.H.E Counts raise funds and products to support our Period Product Drive,” says Jane Penyich, S.H.E. Counts Volunteer and Grinnell Mutual representative. “S.H.E Counts provides necessary period products to: Grinnell High School, Grinnell Middle School, MICA, and the Drake Library. Most of those products are costly and not provided by any government assistance.” The other initiatives of S.H.E. Counts are: Providing a scholarship to a 1st Generation female student graduating from Grinnell high school, programming on post-graduation opportunities to Grinnell high school and middle school students, and math club for girls at Davis Elementary.

For more information or questions about the event, please contact Jennifer Cogley at [email protected].

S.H.E. Counts is a partner program of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation (CDAF), a family foundation which oversees the work of ten local partner programs and funds. Supporting the growth of Grinnell in various arenas through these programs, CDAF encourages the improvement of all Grinnellians’ quality of life.