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Suffolk Business Women is on a mission to help empower and inspire professional businesspeople in the city. A 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, SBW has contributed over $375,000.00 to various Suffolk charities through fundraising, volunteering, donating, and much more. Along with their philanthropic work, SBW also offers the Suffolk Business Women Scholarship to female Suffolk High School seniors aiming to attend college or university. 

SBW Vice President Jennefer Ambrose talked about the various community outreach projects that are coming up for the organization.

“In addition to our annual fundraiser for Suffolk charities, each quarter, the women of our organization provide needed items such as nonperishable food or supplies to nonprofit agencies. This quarter, we are collecting needed items for The Genieve Shelter,” Ambrose said. “We also volunteer our time to host a Red Cross Blood Drive once a quarter. Our next blood drive is Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Suffolk Shrine Club at 500 Elizabeth St from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. In March, we will volunteer to assist with labeling books for the All Suffolk Reads program.”

One of the biggest events that SBW provides is the Suffolk Business Women Golf Tournament, which helps to raise funds for city charities. Seeing its fourth year in 2023, SBW Publicity Rep. Karla Kelly reflected on the resounding success of the tournament, helping to raise $46,705.20.

“We are very thankful for the generosity of our sponsors, participants, and volunteers in making our fundraiser so successful,” Kelly said. “There is no way we could do this without their support.”

Kelly detailed that 12 entities were selected for the proceeds, including Bridge the Gap, Hortons Wreath Society, Tidewater Friends of Foster, Loaves and Fishes, Crisis Pregnancy Center and Hope for Suffolk. Kelly also details the tournament’s atmosphere and last year’s winners.

“We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day at Sleepy Hole Golf Course. It was Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, and it was another sold out tournament with a Captain’s Choice round of golf, lunch, dinner and awards. Thanks to our sponsors, local businesses and members, we had over 30 prizes for participants to win, including a 50/50 raffle, closest to the pin, longest drive, and hole-in-one prize,” Kelly said. “Mason’s Grill & Smokehouse team defended their title for a 2nd year. They were the best dressed, too.”

Ambrose likewise talked about SBW’s goals for this year.

“We hope to build on last year’s successful golf tournament to give even more funds back to worthy causes in Suffolk. Another goal in 2024 is to include our families in our volunteer efforts,” Ambrose said. “We want our children to see the value of volunteering in their community to make Suffolk a better place for all of us.”

Finally, Ambrose notes how residents can contribute to SBW and their efforts to empower professional businesspeople and the Suffolk community.

“Continue to participate in our annual golf tournament to raise funds, watch out for our quarterly projects for opportunities to donate needed items, join our volunteer efforts to make our community better, and lastly, we need more blood donors.”

For more information, go to suffolkbusinesswomen.net or facebook.com/suffolkbusinesswomen.