100+ Men award $12,800 to Beyond Homeless, Inc.

Courtesy photo Jerry Lewis (second from right), president of the Beyond Homeless Inc. Board of Directors, along with BHI representatives Bob Jedele (left) and Walker Gilmer, accept a $12,800 check from 100 Plus Men Who Care, Putnam County, represented by Alan Zerkel (right).

At its final meeting of 2017, the 100 Plus Men Who Care of Putnam County organization awarded $12,800 to Beyond Homeless Inc. of Putnam County, bringing the total awarded to Putnam County charities and nonprofit organizations by the group to more than $148,000.

“We can’t thank the men of Putnam County enough times for the impact our organization has had on local charities and nonprofit organizations like Beyond Homeless Inc.,” noted Scott Davis, a founding member of the group. “Who would have imagined that in three years 100 Plus Men would have impacted so many Putnam County people?”

In addition, thanks to Lilly Endowment’s GIFT VI matching challenge, the organization has created a Community Grants Endowment at the Putnam County Community Foundation.

“The foresight of the founders of 100 Plus Men has established an endowment with the Foundation which will continue to grow and distribute grants that benefit the charities of Putnam County forever,” observed Ken Eitel, president of the Foundation.

In accepting the award for Beyond Homeless, one of the men’s first recipients two years ago, Jerry Lewis, president of the organization, stated, “Beyond Homeless is a Putnam County charity that believes in safe, decent and affordable housing, adequate food, education and quality social services is a fundamental human right. The 100 Plus Men’s support will aid us in responding to the needs of our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless because of poverty.”

Looking ahead, the organization is currently registering men for 2018.

“The Putnam County Chapter of 100 Men has continued to grow each year, reaching 128 men in 2017,” related Mike Harmless, newly elected chairman of 100+ Men. “We are looking ahead and currently renewing memberships and registering men for 2018 with the goal of exceeding the number of guys involved in 2017.”

Men from all walks of life and experiences are welcome.

“We continue to add new men who don’t have time in their busy life to volunteer, but want to make a significant impact for those with needs,” said Todd Lewis, a member of the committee from Cloverdale. “The county-wide participation has been amazing. Guys are having fun. They love that their $100 check adds up to a $12,000 plus donation to a deserving local charity.”