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Volunteers, Alicia Bristow, Mary Mercer, Valeska Cromer, Barbara Haas, Sue Parra, Dosinda Greenwood and Windy Hooky. Sheila Patterson was taking picture.
By Alicia Bristow
President, Oracle Women’s Network
About 10 years ago five women got together at the “Sonoran Bed & Breakfast” in Oracle to celebrate a birthday. These five women, Sue Parra, Mary Gibson, Valeska Cromer, Elaine Helzer and Gilda Cork were friends. They had so much fun during the celebration that they decided to meet once a month to support one another and the community. Thus was born the “Oracle Women’s Network or O.W.N.”
I know it is cliché to say “we’ve come a long way baby” but we really have. Over a 10-year period, O.W.N. cultivated its leadership; tried out events and successfully supported the community businesses; formalized the organization by becoming a nonprofit and established an eight member board; supported sports events held in the area; worked tirelessly to provide collaborative opportunities for our local businesses, and established a Tri-Community Visitor’s Center with help from the AZ State Office of Tourism and many community members. An example of these successes includes working with Pinal County and ADOT to obtain new signage; supporting of the new Arizona Zipline Adventures; and our collaborating with the Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition and the Biosphere 2.
New Hwy. 77 Tourist Information Sign
In 2015, O.W.N. worked with Copper Area News Publishers to establish the second “Oracle Guide” featuring our local restaurants, lodgings, stores and attractions. O.W.N.’s goal is to strengthen and support Oracle’s social and economic well-being. The number of visitors and of volunteers working at the Visitor Center has increased.
Oracle’s social well-being is important and for the last two years volunteers from O.W.N. have worked two refreshment tables at the Tucson Marathon in December. From this event O.W.N. was able to donate two very large bags of clothing to Family First and the Behavioral Health facility in Oracle.
“Giving” is not a one-way direction, individuals represented in O.W.N. give donations of food, and art, and volunteer to good causes in the community. For the many people who support O.W.N. we send out a shout of “Thank You”! The future looks bright and we are enthusiastic about O.W.N.’s accomplishments and look forward to future projects. Tourism is the focus for 2016 and helping local businesses to expand their marketing reach. O.W.N. has applied for two grants, 1) to develop a public relations marketing video, and 2) to hold an event for “Public Lands” to emphasize our wonderful outdoor recreation in this area and to provide a workshop for micro-businesses. A strategic planning meeting will be held soon to clarify our next work efforts. If you have an interest in volunteering, becoming a participant or working on future community projects, please email alicia.bristor@q.com or Sue Parra sueparra09@gmail.com. Or, visit our website at www. visittricommunity.org to learn more about the organization. O.W.N. meets the first Friday of each month at the Patio Café. New participants are always welcome!
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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