HERMISTON, Ore.-The next semi-annual meeting of 100+ Women Who Care – Eastern Oregon is set for 5:30 p.m. on May 14 at the Maxwell Pavilion in Hermiston.
The organization will choose its next charity to support at the meeting that will feature dinner from Amici Cucina and drinks from Nookies.
A membership-based community of women, 100+ Women Who Care uses the power of collective giving circles to make a difference in Eastern Oregon, while giving women a platform to create lasting change in their community, according to its Mission Statement.
“100+ Women Who Care is about making a difference together,” said Holly Woods, founder of 100+ Women Who Care – Eastern Oregon, of the organization designed for those who may be too busy to volunteer in traditional ways, but who still want to give back to their communities.
Members are expected to attend the group’s two meetings each year and commit to donating $100 to the charity chosen at each meeting, for a total of $200 per year.
“When someone donates $100 to charity as an individual, it doesn’t go very far,” said Woods. “When we give collectively, though, we are able to have a huge impact on a local nonprofit in just one evening.”
With its collective giving circle model, 100+ Women Who Care uses membership participation to raise $10,000 or more twice a year for a vetted, local charity in Eastern Oregon.
Members nominate charities at least four weeks before a scheduled semi-annual meeting. Three charities are then chosen at random from the nominees, and members then vote on which charity to support at that meeting.
The impact goes beyond a single evening of giving, with several members pursuing additional volunteer opportunities after learning about different nonprofits at a semi-annual meeting, according to Woods.
The 100 Who Care Alliance was started in Michigan in 2006 and now has 450 chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Singapore, including 100 Kids Who Care and 100 Men Who Care.
100+ Women Who Care – Eastern Oregon held its first semi-annual meeting in 2022. Nonprofits that have benefited from one of its meetings, include Made to Thrive, the Pacific Northwest Veterans Alliance, Stepping Stones and Fuzzball Animal Rescue.
While members are committed to donating, the 100+ Women Who Care event on May 14 is open to nonmembers.
“Those thinking about joining can come and observe on May 14 and sign up if they choose,” said Woods.
