About Us
Our Mission & Vision
We are the Payette Lakes Progressive Club, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that has been part of the fabric of McCall since 1930. Our work is guided by four core goals:
- Promotion of education
- Betterment of civic and public well-being
- Support of youth activities
- Beautification of our community
These aren't just words on a page. They're the framework behind every scholarship awarded, every grant distributed, and every hour our members volunteer in this community.
About Our Name
"Progressive" can mean a lot of things in today's world. To us, it means exactly what it meant in 1930: moving forward, onward, through successive steps.
Our founders chose it deliberately. They were a group of women who believed McCall could be more beautiful, more educated, and more supported, and they intended to be the ones who made it happen. That spirit hasn't changed.
Our Story & Founding
The Payette Lakes Progressive Club was founded in 1930 by a group of forward-looking local women in the McCall area. At a time when few women attended college, our founders made it their mission to change that, championing higher education and investing in the young women of their community.
They also set out to make McCall more beautiful. Garden projects, community plantings, civic pride, these weren't afterthoughts. They were founding priorities.
Nearly a century later, the club has grown to more than 100 members and in the last 10 years has given over $400,000 back to the community through scholarships and grants. The founders would recognize what we're still doing. We think they'd be proud.
Why Join?
1930
Founded by forward-looking local women to promote education and beautify McCall
1930s
Helped establish the McCall Public Library, which started with a few shelves in an abandoned gas station restroom
Early Years
Actively participated in the McCall Winter Carnivals: building floats, making ice sculptures, timing races
Mid-century
Planted flowers in parks and barrels along downtown McCall's main streets; financed the City park sprinkler system in the 1960s
1960
Integral in the formation of Art Roberts Park
1969
Purchased band uniforms for McCall-Donnelly High School
Ongoing
Contributed to establishing what is now St. Luke's McCall
Supported Girl Scouts over many years, including scholarships for Camp by the Lake
Annual competitive scholarships to graduating seniors from McCall-Donnelly, Meadows Valley, and Heartland High Schools
2014-Present
Over $430,000 raised and given to the McCall community through grants and scholarships
2023
Contributed $10,000 to the new McCall Public Library children's section
2030
Centennial celebration
Board and Committees
2026 Executive Board
President
Chris Haener
Treasurer
Bev Hellman & Kathy Menten
Vice President
Katie Gwinn
Member at Large / Social Media
Lisa Zeiter
Secretary
Laura McGeorge
Committees
Fundraising Committee
Chair: Open
Membership Committee
Chair: Katie Gwinn
Publicity Committee
Chair: Linda Hallock
Scholarship Committee
Chairs: Nicole Youkstetter, Treone Cooley
Garden Committee
Chair: Linda Corder
Hospitality Committee
Chairs: Gail DiBenedetto, Mary Carter
Philanthropic Grant Committee
Chair: Penny Williamson
Program Committee
Chair: Lola Elliot
Web Admin
Tracy Faaborg