They say if you want something done, ask a busy person.
Such is the case for a growing group of local women who aren’t only creating and operating businesses, but also giving back to the community in a big way.
In fact, these ladies were instrumental in fundraising almost half a million dollars last year for a wide variety of local charities, including the United Way of Milton, Halton Women's Place, Reach Out Centre for Kids, Milton District Hospital Foundation (MDHF) and many more.
"It's not just monetary; it's also about creating awareness of these various organizations," said Sandy Hatzis, founder of the Milton Area Female Entrepreneurs (MAFE).
The non-profit email and social media-based networking group launched five years ago as an avenue to promote local women in business. While Hatzis – who's also a sales representative with Re/Max — wasn't sure how popular the concept would be at first, she found out quickly it's what local business women are looking for after upwards of 75 of them turned out for the first MAFE meeting.
"I thought wow, we might be on to something," she said. "I love promoting locally, and this group gave me the avenue to do that. I think we started it (promoting local) before it was in style."
The group has now grown to almost 1,400 members and counting. But it's not just the numbers that are changing. The scope of MAFE's activities have naturally evolved beyond business promotion to include support for fellow members, whether it's through virtual hugs and prayers for those going through a hard time to in-person support of each other's fundraising activities.
"It's more than just networking. It's women coming together through friendships," said Hatzis. "There's a true feeling of family, trust and friendship that brings everyone together."
Added MAFE member Margaret Saliba, "It's a forum where we not only support each other, but we really truly like each other. When one of our members is hurting, we're all there to support them."
Saliba — who organizes the annual Black and White Pyjama Party, which has raised almost $37,000 in three years for the MDHF — recently spearheaded a discussion on the MAFE Facebook page regarding how much money the group's members helped raise last year.
As dozens of women began sharing their fundraising numbers, Saliba started tallying and realized that MAFE members were instrumental in collectively raising well over $450,000 for local charities in 2014.
"None of our fundraising would be successful without this group," she said. "I think we support each other without expecting anything in return."
From donating items for silent auctions to spreading the word to actually attending each other's fundraisers, Hatzis said it truly is a group effort.
"It takes a village, and we are living proof of that," she said.
Most recently, MAFE members attended the third annual Tea Party Fundraiser for Autism and National Service Dogs — an event organized by Mary-Anne Selwa, a fellow MAFE "sister" and owner of My Smart Hands Milton sign language business. Over the past three years the tea party has raised a total of $15,000.
"It's not even about the totals – it's creating that awareness that autism is here. It's all around us," said Selwa.
To find out more about the group or request membership, contact Hatzis at sandyhatzis@remax.net or search for "Milton Area Female Entrepreneurs (MAFE)" on Facebook.
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http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/5332342-networking-group-for-women-in-business-giving-back-to-the-community/