In the spirit of the holiday season and the generosity it inspires, we asked the Women’s Fund team to reflect on a moment that shaped their generosity.
Kinyatta Coe, Executive Assistant to the President
My first memory of “witnessing” generosity was visiting my grandmother in South Bend on Sundays. After church, she would cook extra food, not because we expected a guest, but because “someone might stop by.” Sure enough, family and church members would stop by, and she would always have a warm plate ready. Her quiet kindness taught me that generosity isn’t about abundance, it’s about being ready to give, even when no one asks.
Caroline Dutkanych, Vice President of Philanthropy
I remember being about seven years old when I first received my own little cardboard box of envelopes for Sunday donations. When I walked into church in my Sunday best with shiny patent leather shoes that clicked on the marble floors, I felt so grown up with my little envelope tucked into my satchel with wooden handles. Each week I put a few quarters—or sometimes a whole dollar (!)—into my envelope and then waited in anticipation to drop my gift into the long-handled basket passed down the pews by the ushers. It was my first experience practicing intentional generosity, and I felt a sense of belonging and power being part of something larger than myself.
Allissa Impink, Director of Advocacy
One of my earliest memories of generosity comes from my time in Girl Scouts. I remember learning the Girl Scout Law, especially the part that says to ‘help people at all times.’ Even at a young age, that simple idea stayed with me—it wasn’t just about kindness, it was about responsibility. Whether we were collecting canned goods, helping a teacher, or supporting one another in our troop, I began to understand that generosity is not only about giving things, but about showing up for people with intention and care.
Channie Jones, Senior Community Leadership Officer
My first memory of generosity comes from my time in Key Club, a student-led organization focused on leadership and service. It taught me the power of collective care. Students, teachers, families, and community members came together toward a shared purpose. Through service projects, I learned that generosity is rooted in giving, empathy, and connection. That early experience continues to shape how I lead and serve my community today.
Julie Koegel, Grants Consultant
I grew up in the country, so we went to a small country church. I remember as a young child seeing the adults coming together to hold a fish fry to raise money for the church. Everyone was put to work at those events.
Wendy McNamar, Consultant
My favorite holiday has always been Halloween. My first memory of generosity is going Trick or Treating in my neighborhood for UNICEF. This effort began in 1950 and encouraged children to collect loose change in decorated milk cartons, raising money for UNICEF to help war-affected children in Europe. The program, which introduced the iconic orange donation box, aimed to bring charity into the holiday and helped to legitimize trick-or-treating.
Gerri Pagach, Senior Philanthropy Officer
When I was young my parents participated in a food co-op. On Saturdays, we would spend the day helping out at the food pantry and St. Vincent De Paul. My older brother and I did a lot of playing in the warehouse, but I also remember sorting clothes and doing other age-appropriate tasks. The premise of time, talent, and treasure was instilled in us from an early age.
Tamara Winfrey-Harris, President
My dad nurtured in me a feeling of responsibility for my community. As a child, I watched him support organizations that mattered to him, like the ACLU and NAACP. He got us kids life memberships to the NAACP when we were born. I grew up seeing my membership plaque on the wall. I also watched him give time and treasure to individuals in the community—a ride to an elderly neighbor, a few dollars to a former student, his time to critical community projects. He and my mom taught me that generosity can help ensure that the spaces, places and people that are important to me survive and thrive.
This article was published within the August 2025 issue of the Women’s Fund’s Diane magazine.
