STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Members of the Wood River Women’s Foundation cast their final votes for those who will receive 2026 grants on Monday.

This year nearly 50 volunteers reviewed applications from 22 organizations requesting $789,000. The women’s philanthropic organization will announce the grantees later this month.

In the meantime, WRWF members had an opportunity to hear from one of last year’s recipients at a Mix and Mingle held over a charcuterie board and wine at the Sun Valley Culinary Institute.

“You don’t know how impactful you are,” Aaron Bronson tells members of the Wood River Women’s Foundation.

Aaron Bronson, executive director of The Space, told the women how her afterschool program situated in Hailey used last year’s $25,000 grant for its Forward Learning Scholars program for Middle School students.

Middle School students made up a large percentage of the 300 students The Space served last year. The program offers sixth- through eighth-grade students a safe, structured space where they can build confidence in their academic skills while cultivating a sense of belonging and purpose with staff and peers.

Some days they may work with a teacher on math or science problems that are befuddling them. Other days they may build a planetarium with their peers. And one day a week they take field trips to places like Bloom Farm, where they learn about growing vegetables in a greenhouse.

Donations keep the tutoring and enrichment activities tuition free or low cost.

Deb Van Law of the Blaine County Education Foundation tells Laura Schaaf Calvert about the Andrew E. Pratt Memorial Scholarship that’s available for first-generation students who aren’t necessary good students but are kids who are trying hard to achieve.

Bronson, who grew up in the Wood River Valley, told the women how she has four children ranging from her oldest child, who is about to graduate, to her youngest who is just starting school. And, during her 20 years in academics, she has developed all kinds of academic programs, even helping to build and design a school from the ground up.

But, as a parent, even she has sometimes felt inadequate in helping her children achieve success. Her oldest son, she said, is an introvert who is gifted academically but doesn’t know what he wants to do past high school. And he’s ill at ease making decisions.

Her 14-year-old daughter, by contrast, knows exactly what she wants to do. But she has always struggled academically and lacks confidence when it comes to her studies.

“It’s painful to watch as a Mom. It’s humbled me and it’s reminded me that my kids aren’t unique—it’s pretty normal,” she said.

Amy Million and Elaine Phillips help themselves to the charcuterie board prepared by the Sun Valley Culinary Institute.

That’s why it’s so important to have the kind of support that The Space can provide in the children’s lives, she said. Teachers at The Space give children someone to talk to besides their parents. They can channel students’ interest into new areas. And they can help build confidence when it comes to doing homework and taking tests.

“At The Space we can provide support for these children and families every day—it’s a place to feel welcome,” she said. “And I appreciate the collective power that you bring to us. You guys are essential and critical in this community. I can’t say enough about the impact you’ve had.”

#P6#Jan Philipsborn said she has been a member of the Wood River Women’s Foundation for many years.