The Wickeds often talk about how grateful we are to Sisters in Crime. We met in the New England chapter for one thing, and all in some way, shape or form, got our start in series publishing because of SinC.
But there are other organizations that shape our lives. Wickeds, tell me about a company, an institution, a church, a school, a non-profit, a membership organization, a network, or any other organized group of people that you are grateful to be associated with, supported by, or just plain on the earth with this year.
Edith/Maddie: Sisters in Crime has certainly shaped my authorial life, for which I am infinitely grateful. Many of you know that my spiritual home is with the Society of Friends. The Amesbury Quaker community has had an enormous influence on my life for thirty-three years. It’s a church, a non-profit dedicated to peace and social justice, and a social network all in one package. It gave my sons a faith community when they were young and helped inspired my seven-book historical Quaker Midwife mysteries.
Sherry: My college sorority. I had no idea on that sunny fall pledge day when I shouted Delta Zeta and ran down the steps to my new sisters how life changing it would be. They were there for the good and bad of life and still are. We laugh together and mourn together and love each other through all of our foibles. I always found it interesting that the other biggest influence in my life would also be an organization about sisterhood (people-hood really).
Liz: My animal rescue crew. Some of the best experiences of my life were when I worked with shelters and rescue groups and helping so many cats. I still have people from that time in my life who I consider some of my best friends, and I’m so grateful for them.
Barb: For 2022, I have to go with the Friends of the Key West Library. I joined this board in 2021 and I have to say throughout the year it’s been tremendous fun to be with a great group of people who work really hard to make good things happen.
Jessie: what a fun range of organizations! I would have to include Novelists, Inc. I joined several years ago and have learned so much since! I love their conference and was so delighted to have had the opportunity to attend in September for the first time since 2019! They support novelists with craft education, business best practices and networking!
Readers: Was there a company, an institution, a church, a school, a non-profit, a membership organization, a network, or any other organized group you are grateful to be associated with, supported by, or just plain on the earth with this year?
I have to say Pennwriters. I’ve been proud to be a member of the organization and their board of directors for coming up on 20 years. They (and Sisters in Crime, of course) have supported me, taught me, and given me lasting friendships over the years.
I have heard such wonderful things about Pennwriters. I will have to attend a conference some day.
The Gary Sinise Foundation is a charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the military. We started supporting this when my father in law passed away and he had requested this instead of flowers. Gary Sinise is a good man and cares about our veterans.
Such an interesting man and actor and a worthy cause.
I support several, including our local no-kill cat shelter; a Quiet Angels group where we help local families in need; and Christmas Angels, where we help local children and families during the holidays.
Thank you to everyone who support organizations that help others!
Hear, hear! Thank you to everyone who support organizations like these.
I’m very grateful for the professionals in the medical profession that specialize in fields to further enhance helping those in needs and for general practitioners that refer us to them instead of seeing us as a way to pay their bills through insurance. I’m grateful for those that see us seniors as important members of society with still lots of years and worth to give instead of putting us all in a group to ignore as if we are disposable.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
So true. The medical profession has been absolutely slammed for the last few years, but disease, staff loss, and short staffing. Grateful for those who persevere.
I was involved with a group for retired-racer greyhounds, but it fell victim to the pandemic and the scarcity of available dogs due to the decline of racing in the US. I hope to get involved with another group.
That is so interesting. The weekend before last I attended a talk by a woman who retrains and then re-homes sled dogs. The whole process was fascinating and the dogs were so mellow.
Yep, there’s a lot of “how to teach retired-racers how to be a dog” involved post-adoption because there is so much in a house they’ve never seen before. Like stairs. Or hardwood floors.
Same with sled dogs, hard wood floors, stairs, sidewalks–and don’t pull on the leash since they’re taught a slack lead is a bad thing.
I am grateful for my church and the pastor. My faith helps me through many trials.
That must be tremendous comfort to you.
PAWS Animal Welfare Society in Fort Kent, ME. I became involved with them when they asked me to prepare their 501(c) application and I went on to become president.
What wonderful work you are doing up there next to Canada.
I’m so very grateful to Crime Writers of Color. I joined this association in 2018, when it was a few months old and I was a fledgling indie author. I’m proud it has expanded to embrace a membership of over 300 writers from all genres, backgrounds, and styles. Through CWoC, I’ve found anthology homes for several short stories, found an agent, and landed a traditional publishing deal. Most importantly, I’ve tried new experiences and I’ve made good friends.
I have watched CWOC in wonder these last few years. What an amazing job they have done for their members and the community as a whole.
Most importantly, I am grateful to my alcohol recovery org. Without them, I would have been dead over 20 years ago. And I can’t ever thank enough the wonderful group of people who are a part of an online group, tho’ initially was for support for weight loss, now are there for every kind of situation anyone may be going through. We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, adoptions (of people and animals), graduations, etc., etc. We also are there for comfort and support for illness, death, and losses of all sorts. I’ve been a part of this group for 15 years and, tho’ we live all over the country, we are closer than most in person friends are. A wonderful way to start the day.
I’m very grateful for my church.
I am sure they are grateful for you.
I am grateful for Compassion International who help children in poverty and their families learn as well as help with food and clean water. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
The crime fiction community is one group that I’m most grateful for. All of them as well as the SinC and MWA organizations.