After listening to Gil Garcetti’s Salon Forum presentation, "Women, Water, Wells,” women came away feeling very inspired and agreed that Salon Forum should undertake a fund-raising project to drill a well in a village in West Africa and provide additional needed support services such as the building of latrines, agricultural development, micro-financing and more.

Here’s what Salonistas wrote the next day:

“Like you, I was deeply moved by Gil Garcetti's presentation…I absolutely support you in pursuing fundraising for this cause and would certainly like to be part of any brainstorming group you put together…The fellowship and personal growth that we seek in Salon Forum should not exist in a vacuum. Reaching out to help other women and girls improve their lives and realize their full potential is a logical (and moral) next step.”
---Cheryl Coughlan

“What an inspiring evening! I think it is a wonderful idea for Salon Forum to have a tangible “project” and for members to work together to raise money for the funding of a well. I certainly would make a contribution – and even though my life is busy and fragmented (like everyone else), I would volunteer some time for this. I truly think that this would be an excellent pursuit. A worthy gift from the women in Los Angeles to the women of …..village. And think of all the wonderful ripple effects. Count me in on this.”
---Karola Kristina Rietz

“I love your idea about building a well. I absolutely feel it is appropriate, mainly because it is not political in any way. And everyone can do a little to make it happen.”
---Lori Hacking

“I love your idea about raising money for wells in West Africa. I was going to make an individual donation, but I will absolutely support you in a group project. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help.”
---Nancy McCready

“Yes, it's appropriate to start a fund raising endeavor...We are 'big girls' and if we choose not to participate, we can turn the page…It would be very exciting to have such a 'personal' project to participate in….Thanks for proposing this. I think it's a great idea.”
---Roxanna Galbreath

“Absolutely fabulous idea!! I'll be happy to help you in any way that I can. You may have heard me ask Gil last night about medical supplies and clinics.....equally important! Do you think there's any way that we can develop a project for that??”
---Judy Rosenson