A Clarkston group is out to change the world one good deed at a time.
Women’s Life, a group formed in Clarkston, is a group of do-good gals. They are friends. They get together, socialize and have fun while deciding who to help next.
Monica Wanat’s resilient spirit won support from Woman’s Life when they presented her a $750 check on March 11 to help pay for college.
Monica impresses those who know her. At 18, she has overcame immense adversity to be who she is today. In seventh grade she was failing school. Help and support from others led her. She worked hard and graduated from Clarkston High School with all A’s and B’s.
Trouble early on is not what Monica cares to talk about anymore. That’s not her story. Her story is how she moved on from pain, keeping that smile on her face.
That’s the kind of stories, Woman’s Life loves. Those are the kinds of spirits they want to help.
Each time they meet, the ladies present ideas on how to help. They agree to work on one idea as a group.
Michele Przybylski of Clarkston, a member of Woman’s Life, said helping Monica was in honor of Renee Przybylski, Michele’s daughter.
A Michigan State University graduate with a degree in advertising, Renee lost her battle with leukemia in 2001 at just 23.
Michele continues good deeds in memory of her daughter.
Clintonville Spray Park is one example, named in honor of Renee, after $180,000 was raised to make the park a reality.
Monica’s story won Michele’s heart and that $750 scholarship was given in honor of Renee.
‘Monica’s story and her life touched my heart and I wanted to help,? Michele smiled.
That’s what Woman’s Life does.
‘Our mission is to serve and empower people in the community that may not otherwise have the resources,? said President Kelly Mansour.
Each member may have a cause they care about. When that idea is shared with other members, the gals get to work.
Their missions vary. They have accomplished a lot, and their work makes them proud.
In the dead of winter, the gals agreed to make blankets. ‘We got fleece and made those blankets. We laughed and talked and then we delivered the blankets to the homeless on one of the coldest nights,” Heidi Nettler smiled.
Another time the gals asked Clarkston teachers what school supplies were needed.
Ladies filled backpacks for every grade. They filled to the brim, and gave them to teachers at school for kids in need.
They have adopted families at Christmas and filled food pantries. They have honored mothers, with a pedicure, manicure and make-up session.
They gather and brainstorm for ideas to help. They ask who needs help.
Their newest mission is supporting ‘The Well? in Waterford.
Przybylski said what she values most in The Well, is that girls suspended from Waterford High school spend their suspension time there and receive mentoring, structure, and nurturing.
Working for schools, she has seen the structure kids get while in school versus being suspended. ‘I think this will be a great blessing to kids who get in trouble,? the ladies agree.
At The Well they will receive guidance, structure, counseling, and opportunities they might not otherwise have.
The Well’s Dana Bosnack spoke to Woman’s Life on March 2. She and her family purchased a home for The Well four years ago. They have put their own equity, sweat, and tears into the project.
Hoping to open in April, the ladies attended an event on March 19 to support the project. They help a lot, and their next project will most likely be completely different.
‘Every month we pick and organization, family or individual and we get together and donate,? said Heidi Nettler a self described ‘doer” in the group.
Certain projects and people will draw their support.
‘If you work hard and have the right attitude to encourage people. We want to help,” added Nettler.
Right now there are 25 members in Woman’s Life. They are a grassroots group, which started out of friendship.
If someone is in a rough spot, the ladies want to help, like they helped Monica.
Monica is thankful for the support, she confesses as her eyes light up and her bubbly and positive personality shines through.
She notices a mom kiss her son on the cheek. ‘Awe,? she smiles as you can tell that moment of tenderness she seen in this world-touched her heart.
For Woman’s Life, it’s all about love.
The group of friends smile in agreement on many statements like how much joy they get in return for giving. Each lady confesses they are looking forward to their next project.
‘I do this out of love,? Przybylski smiled. ‘When you give you get a lot of joy.We do this from the heart.?