On Nov. 14, 2022, Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Chapter AA of Merrill hosted their seventeenth annual auction fundraiser, which raised more than $4,000. The funds will be used to support P.E.O. projects and to provide educational scholarships, grants, low interest loans, and awards.
The organization took a pause on holding their auction in 2020 and 2021, “so it was extra special to be able to gather at the Merrill Historical Society for the event once again,” organizers said.
P.E.O. is a group of women celebrating the advancement of women through education, promoting the education of women through scholarships, grants, loans, awards for continuing education, and stewardship of Cottey College. Originally founded in 1869 as a seven-member sorority at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and originally rooted in the philosophy and institutions of the Methodist Church, which actively promoted women’s rights and education in America during the 19th century, P.E.O. strives to motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations.
The sisterhood today aims to serve women worldwide and welcomes women of all races, religions, and backgrounds. It has evolved into a diverse, community-based organization with nearly 6,000 chapters and more than 230,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 6 Canadian provinces.
“Chapter AA has been honored to provide assistance to local women to obtain awards of various nature and size,” organizers said. “Recent recipients include Brooke Bushor, Bailey Iwen, Katie Purmal Rupp, Jourdyn Mootz Koebe, McKenzie Reimann, Elise Brown, Anna Brown, Megan Schroder, Chrissy Doering, and Nicole Doering.”
“We would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who has supported P.E.O. through the years by attending our auction, supporting other fundraisers, and/or sending donations to support our chapter and P.E.O.,” they said. “Thanks to all the support, we continue supporting P.E.O. projects of substantial magnitude.”
For more information regarding P.E.O., visit www.peointernational.org or contact any local Chapter officers – Kathy Spencer, President, or Dawn Schroder-Silvela, Cheryl Schultz, Kay Smith, Carolyn Saunders, Polly Koebe, and Kelly Purmal.