On a vibrant Thursday night at the 310 event center, women gathered for the Faribault Foundation’s Women Who Care fundraiser, united under the theme “Give, Gather and Grow.” This event, centered around philanthropy and community engagement, aimed to enhance the lives of women and girls in Faribault through vital funding by the Faribault Foundation, a local charity dedicated to improving the quality of life in the region.
HOPE Center Executive Director Erica Staab-Absher expresses her gratitude after receiving a grant for the Barb Larson Memorial Fund.
Faribault Foundation Executive Director Laura Bock opened the evening by recounting the inception of the Women Who Care Endowment. “The mission of the Women Who Care Endowment is to recognize, support, and empower women to improve the quality of life for women and girls in our communities,” she explained. “This mission was established a couple of years ago, and over the past six years, countless women have embraced it through their time and talent, demonstrating how a collective effort can yield significant results.”
In her acknowledgment, Bock highlighted the foundational contributions of Karen Zellar and Kymn Anderson, noting their unwavering commitment and passion for the endowment’s success. “The love, energy, and commitment you have poured into this endowment is truly remarkable,” Bock remarked, emphasizing the lasting impact their efforts have created for future generations.
Attendees enjoy wood-fired pizza at the Women Who Care event.
Throughout the night, participants were encouraged to nominate nonprofits they felt deserved a grant. A unique approach was taken, where half of the evening’s ticket sales were allocated to grant funding, while the remaining half contributed to the endowment. From the submissions, three finalists were drawn, and attendees were invited to vote on where the funds should be directed.
The first organization selected was the Light of Hope Cancer Foundation, which provides grants to local cancer patients. The second recipient was the Barb Larson Memorial Fund, which is dedicated to supporting the HOPE Center, an advocacy center for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Rice County. Lastly, the Rice County Sheriff’s Association, which emphasizes volunteerism and community service for local youth, was also chosen.
Community Resource Bank’s Chief Operating Officer Christina Jerome discusses the theme of the event.
As the votes were being counted, Christina Jerome, COO of Community Resource Bank and an event sponsor, enriched the evening with reflections on the event’s theme, “Give, Gather and Grow.” Jerome distributed seed packets to attendees, symbolizing resilience and progress through life’s challenges. She conveyed that, akin to a tree weathering storms, individuals must adapt and grow following setbacks.
“Sometimes, the storms of life bring unexpected changes that may seem challenging at first, but just like a plant that redirects its energy to allow for new growth, we too can foster personal development through adversity,” she remarked.
Jerome also encouraged attendees to consider what aspects they wished to nurture in their lives, whether it be confidence, courage, or kindness, as well as how they could support others in their journeys.
The evening culminated in the announcement of the HOPE Center’s Barb Larson Memorial Fund as the recipient of the 2026 Women Who Care grant, based on attendee votes. Erica Staab-Absher, Executive Director of the HOPE Center, expressed deep appreciation for the honor and highlighted the critical need for funding directed towards women and girls’ charities, which receive less than 2% of philanthropic support.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a community filled with such remarkable, talented women,” Staab-Absher stated. “Events like this not only showcase our collective strength but also hold the potential for transformative change in our community.”
