From left, Ute Coyne*, Vicky Pierce (executive director of Community Kitchen), Community Kitchen board member Lynnette Carlson*, Jocelyn Bowie*, Liz Blauvelt, Tina Peterson*
“*” denotes member of 100+ Women Who Care
On November 19, eight members of 100+ Women Who Care were on hand to present checks totaling nearly $16,000 to Stepping Stones. Standing (from left), Sheri Benham, executive director of Stepping Stones, Jocelyn Bowie, Carol Maloney, Dee Rillo, Sue Shindell, Ute Coyne, Janet Barrows, Charlotte Zietlow, Mary Burch Ratliff, and Warren Wade, assistant director of Stepping Stones. In front, three Stepping Stones employees.
It was just a year ago that a diverse group of ladies met and enthusiastically committed to gathering 100+ women for the single purpose of making collective contributions to local not for profit organizations. We wanted the process to be quick, fun and easy but, we also wanted to express that we care about our community and that together we can make a difference.
100+ Women Who Care was off and running. By our fourth meeting, 167 women had joined forces………with their checkbooks (!) …………and significantly impacted four very worthy agencies.
We sent a loud and clear message to them, and to our community, that we really do care!
Our quarterly meetings were resounding successes -
Four agencies ………..contributions totaling $51,400……….to help meet immediate needs each have while making our community a better place.
November 2011 $ 8,100 New Hope Homeless Shelter
February 2012 $12,300 Volunteers in Medicine
May 2012 $14,500 Jill’s House
August 2012 $16,500 Big Brothers Big Sisters
Plus – a new 100+ Women Who Care endowment fund is now active with the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. This fund, to help with the future needs of our community, now totals $16,700 and will continue to grow each year as WWC members renew their commitment to care.
That comes to $68,100 in contributions from 100+ Women Who Care.
For the 81 women who attended the first meeting in November 2011, it is time to re-commit for your second year. Re-committing is easy:
There will be a special “YES! Count Me in for a 2nd Year” table at the November meeting. Please visit that table to verify all of your contact information and to give your second yearly Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) $100 contribution for the 100+ Women Who Care endowment fund.
So – remember to bring two checks to this meeting! Our November 2012 meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 7. As always, we will meet at the Bloomington Country Club. The social hour starts at 5:30 PM; our meeting will run from 6 PM until 7PM.
If you prefer (or cannot come to the November meeting) you are welcome to send your $100 Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) endowment contribution directly to Carol Maloney at 2603 E. Windermere Woods Dr., 47401. Also, be sure to let me know of any contact information that may have changed since last November.
Each organization we contributed to this year was overwhelmed with surprise, excitement, and heartfelt appreciation for the unexpected gift bag of checks. The executive directors said they each took a step back to thoughtfully use the new money in meaningful ways to help achieve or even enhance their goals. How wonderful to be a part of that gift.
And how wonderful to play a role in a fund raiser that is so quick, easy, and fun but powerful! We hope that everyone decides to re-commit, and to bring a friend to join!
Anne Bright presents the August 2012 checks to Tom Saccone of South Central Indiana Big Brothers Big Sisters.
At our August 2012 meeting we voted to support Big Brothers Big Sisters, thanks to new member Anne Bright‘s advocacy. Want to see what an impact we’ve had so far? Take a look:
In November 2011 we donated $8,100 to the New Hope Family Shelter.
In February 2012 we donated $12,300 to the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic.
In May 2012 we donated $14,500 to Jill’s House.
In August 2012, we voted to donate our $16,600 to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Total donated to local causes to date: an awesome $51,500!
Reminder: Anne will lead the check presentation to Big Brothers Big Sisters at 10 AM this Tuesday (August 28, 2012) at their office (807 N. College Ave, Suite 101 – driveway and parking is between their building and the Scholars Inn B&B). Be there if you can!
Susan Dabkowski, executive director of Jill’s House (right), accepts a bag of checks from 100+WWC member Brenda Jackson. Jill’s House Board member Eric Behrman is on the left. Next meeting of 100 + Women Who Care is Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bloomington Country Club.
Wednesday, August 8
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Bloomington Country Club
3000 South Rogers (SW corner of Rogers and Tapp Road)
This is a change to a Wednesday from a Monday –
we will be meeting on the second Wednesday of each month from now on.
We sure hope that will work for you!
In May, we raised $14,400 and showed Jill’s House how much we care about their mission.
And in just 1 hour - WOW!
If you cannot come – please remember to send a check with a friend or mail directly to Carol Maloney at
2603 E. Windermere Woods Drive, 47401.
