One woman can make a difference. Women together can make a huge difference. In 2006, 100 Women Who Care began as the brainchild of a Michigan woman who thought that the easiest way to raise the $10,000 needed for a local charity was to ask 100 women to donate $100.00 each. And it was.
From this early beginning, there are now over 300 chapters of 100 Women Who Care throughout the United States. The Beaufort Chapter was organized in 2009 by Jeneane Ryan, who had recently moved to the Lowcountry from Illinois. Through her efforts, over 100 women attended the first meeting. The concept is simple. Meetings are held quarterly, and local charities are invited to be nominated to receive that quarter’s donation. After the charities’ presentation requests, members vote and select the winner. Each member writes a check for $100.00 to the winning charity. The 100 Women Who Care organization doesn’t even have bank account, so 100% of the funds collected go directly to the winning charity.
This quarter’s winning charity was The Extra Mile Club, a youth organization dedicated to promote academics, leadership, discipline, self-esteem and sportsmanship in a safe, healthy and enjoyable environment. Over $12,000.00 was presented to the founders, Chris and Gaynelle Danzler, at an event in the Pavilion at Waterfront Park on September 2nd.
Does the power of 100 women have an impact? With this presentation, 100 Women Who Care in Beaufort has raised over $303,000.00 for local charities.
When 100 women donate $100 at the same time, the group accomplishes collectively what few can accomplish on their own—making a donation that can enable a charity to complete a project or attain a goal that had been out of reach. That’s real impact. No volunteering, no telemarketing, no event planning, no silent auction donations to solicit. It’s simply a great way to give back in the community! For information about becoming a member, visit www.100wwcbeaufort.org.
