MOUNT VERNON – The second quarterly meeting of 100+ Women Who Care of Knox County took place on April 11, at The Woodward Opera House. The group raised $2,850 for Giving Hope Charity, a Knox County nonprofit organization. Other nominations were for Centerburg Interchurch and The Shane Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship. Approximately $80 was also raised for the other organizations.
100+ Women Who Care is part of the national 100 Who Care Alliance. They are a group of women who care deeply about the Knox County community. The mission of this giving circle is to provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations in the county, and to learn about existing and emerging resources in the community. 100+ Women has given a total of $4,920 to Knox County nonprofits. During their April meeting, they also heard an update from Lisa Muncie of PELIA Equine Programs, September’s recipient, about the addition of a roof on their riding arena, which 100+ Women helped to fund.
100+ Women member Patti Dice nominated Giving Hope Charity and presented about the organization. She explained that the organization started with the bus drivers of Mount Vernon wanting to help children in need at Christmastime during 2020. For their first year, they served six students and last year, served 58, giving each child a $250 shopping experience paired with an “elf” helper. Many times the children decide to purchase items for their family members. Giving Hope also recently purchased a “book bus” to take books to children in the summer months. They are always looking for donors and volunteers. Learn more about Giving Hope Charity by visiting GivingHopeCharity.org.
100+ Women Who Care meets on a quarterly basis for one hour at each meeting. Each member commits to giving $100 at each meeting. Members nominate Knox County nonprofits; three are drawn from the bowl to give presentations and a vote is taken to determine the recipient of the funds. Once the group reaches at least 100 members (but not limited to 100), it will raise $10,000+ at each meeting to support a local nonprofit organization. Funds go directly to that organization.
“I came across the idea for 100 Women in another group in Ohio,” said founder Marty Bell. “The idea has been percolating for about two years, so I assembled my leadership team and we decided to implement it here in Knox County. This is such a generous community, but many of us live busy lives and this is the perfect way to make a large impact quickly with minimal time invested.”
The next meeting will be July 11, at The Woodward Opera House, with social time at 6:15 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m.
Learn more or register to be part of 100+ Women Who Care by visiting 100WomenKnox.org or following the group on Facebook at facebook.com/100womenknox. If you have questions, contact president Marty Bell at 100womenknox@gmail.com.