PEO holds annual geranium sale to support local women

KELLOGG — No fools here! Leaders of the Silver Valley PEO want your flower orders in by April 1 to help them continue their tradition of supporting local high school seniors.

Chapter M PEO president Christy Woolum explains that all proceeds from the annual sale will go to providing scholarships for young women who graduate from Kellogg High School.

PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization) is one of the oldest women’s organizations in North America. PEO started as a bond between friends, and eventually grew to almost 6,000 local chapters and more than 500,000 members in the United States and Canada.

“PEO's mission is to celebrate the achievements of women, and to educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship to local colleges and universities,” Woolum said.

Since being created in 1869, the nonprofit organization has helped more than 116,000 women pursue educational goals by providing more than $383 million for women to pursue secondary education.

PEO currently has five educational projects in the form of grants, scholarships and loans. Local educator Deanne Fitzgerald recently received the PEO Program for Continuing Education grant. This grant is specifically for women whose education was interrupted, and find it necessary to return to school and complete a degree. PEO has also granted local young women who have graduated from KHS the Educational Loan Fund. When a local chapter becomes aware of a student's interest, the chapter’s chair will arrange an interview and decide whether or not they will recommend the student for a loan.

The local Silver Valley chapter, Chapter M, has had its annual geranium sale for approximately 20 years, with last year's sale raising around $3,500.

PEO will be selling both hanging baskets for $22 and geranium pods for $3.25. Pre-paid orders must be in by April 1 and the geraniums can be picked up on Thursday, May 5 at the Avista building, located at 120 Hill St. in Kellogg.

While an order can be made with any local PEO Chapter M member, those interested can call Chapter M member Debbie Gibler at 208-682-4898.