By Sandy Meyer
Many women want to make an impact in their community, but time constraints with work and family life often make it impossible for them to participate in charitable causes. South Shore’s Amber Watt and Ann Rand have found a way around that dilemma and made it possible for any woman to be part of something bigger.
100 Women Who Care was first introduced in early 2012 after Watt and Rand had heard about the impact another chapter was making in Michigan. The philosophy is simple: A group of women meet four times per year, each writing a check for $100 at every meeting and then donate it to a local charity. At each quarterly meeting, each woman writes the name of the local cause they would like to see the donation go to on a piece of paper. All of the papers are then put into a hat and three are drawn to choose from. Each of the women from the final three are then given five minutes to present why their charity should be chosen and a vote is cast. The winner will receive the total funds raised for that quarter.
“It is a fresh way to learn more about the needs in our community and 100% of the donations go directly to local charitable causes. It’s so simple, that any women can fit it into her busy schedule,” Watt shared.
Since its inception, 100 Women Who Care have raised $16,900 for local charities. The group currently has 44 members and is hoping to spike interest and be able to get some bigger checks to the local charities. 100 members would bring in $10,000 quarterly to be donated. Marie Wise of South Shore is a new member to the group and is excited about the opportunity to make a difference. “I was looking for a way to help and am limited in my time. This works for me in being able to do good for the community and meet great women,” she said.
The group’s next meeting is Tuesday, August 27 at 7 p.m. at MiraBay Clubhouse, 107 Manns Harbor Dr. in Apollo Beach. Email 100wwcsouthshore@gmail.com.
