Nearly 35 of Mid-Michigan’s most influential dads participated in the second Annual Dapper Dads contest and fashion show last night in Downtown Lansing at Kositchek’s Men’s Store. The event is organized each year by a committee of the Sparrow Foundation, Women Working Wonders (W3), a group of women business and civic leaders that raises funds supporting women’s health issues in Mid-Michigan. W3 holds two major events each year: Dapper Dads in June, and a 5k run/walk in September. One of the major beneficiaries of the W3 funds is a stereotactic imaging system that will afford each patient a timely and precise diagnosis for those requiring a breast biopsy. Sparrow conducts about 20,000 mammograms annually and approximately 10% are suspicious and need further evaluation.  Access to this type of cutting-edge technology is what women in mid-Michigan need and absolutely deserve.

After record-setting attendance and votes, the Dapper Dads event raised more than $117,000, nearly tripling funds raised during last year’s event. The top finishers (determined by the number of $5 votes each contestant drew) were Ken Stewart from Jackson National Life and Glenn Granger from Granger Construction. The dads included area doctors, lawyers, lobbyists, athletes, news anchors, business owners and more.

I was so proud to be a part of this tremendous group of dedicated Lansing area women. In 2011, I set a goal to become more committed to community service projects that support women’s issues. After one W3 meeting, I knew I was in the right place. These ladies are ROCK stars. Each and every person has something valuable to offer the group – and everyone has a voice. Winston Churchill once said: “You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.” The W3 group embodies this strong notion of service and dedication.