The organization 100+ Women Who Care of Will County recently passed the $10,000 mark in donations to local charities with no fundraisers and fewer than 30 members.
Founder Maribeth Carlson said although the group’s accomplishments so far are encouraging, tens of thousands of dollars more in support to local charities will be possible when their goal to reach a membership of at least 100 women is met.
To that end, the all-women philanthropic organization is seeking new members at its next quarterly meeting, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at Mullets, 14903 S. Bell Road, Homer Glen.
The group was founded by Carlson in 2015 as a local chapter of the international organization 100 Who Care Alliance.
At each quarterly meeting, each member pledges to make a $100 donation to a charity chosen as the recipient after several Will County not for profit charities are nominated and discussed.
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The size of the check depends on the number of members at the time of the meeting, Carlson said, making membership growth the key to the success of the organization.
Carlson said current membership now stands at just under 30 women, far short of the 100 or more members needed to meet its goal of $10,000 per meeting.
“Pooling” the money makes all the difference, she said.
“When you give $100, you don’t know what kind of impact it’s going to make, but collectively…if we have one hundred women, that’s $10,000 to a local charity,” Carlson said. “That’s huge. That makes or breaks a charity. That can really make a difference in your own back yard.”
Despite making donations that amount to far less than the organization’s goal, the group’s generosity has already made an impact on six local charities.
Shady Oaks Camp in Homer Glen, Lincolnway Special Recreation Association in New Lenox, All Herding Dog Breed Rescue in Joliet, CASA of Will County, Kidz Play in Lockport and Northern Will County Special Recreation Association have received a total of $12,800.
Northern Will County Special Recreation Association director Cathy Davis said the group’s donation of $2,800 will be used for a scholarship program, allowing low income or financially-strapped families to be part of the programs.
Lois Carberry, director of All Herding Breed Dog Rescue, said women’s donation has been helpful in a variety of ways for the not for profit shelter. It places about 400 dogs in homes per year that might otherwise be euthanized. The animals need food, shelter and costly medical care.
“All donations large or small help tremendously,” Carberry said.
The 100+ Women Who Care group is just the thing for busy women who are “looking for a way to give back,” Carlson said.
Sheri Law, owner of Sheri Law Art Glass in Homer Glen, said being a member makes it easy for her to help others without taking valuable time away from her business.
Each quarterly meeting lasts only one hour, Law said, and includes a short presentation by the previous quarter’s donation recipient.
“I don’t have a lot of time to devote, but I certainly can afford to help out so this is a great way that we’re making more of an impact,” Law said.
There are other benefits to belonging to an organization that requires little more from its members than four one-hour meetings a year and a check, Law said. She said she is “learning a lot” about charities in the area.
“I think that’s one of the things that I enjoy about the group,” she said. “There’s a lot of charities that I’m not familiar with and I would never get to know about.”
Carlson said the organization is open to any woman, including those who are members of other not for profit charities.
More information is at www.100wwc-will.org.
Ginger Brashinger is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.