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'100 Women Who Care' comes to Putnam County
The organization "100 Women Who Care, Putnam County" is a group of women who share a common desire to give back to the community.
The group is open to all women -- the more women who get involved, the greater the impact will be. The group is modeled after similar organizations located throughout the country.
Here is how it works. Members join the organization and sign a commitment to donate $500 total during the year.
The first $100 commitment supports an endowment administered by the Putnam County Community Foundation for the 100 Women Who Care organization to use to address future needs of the community. In addition, every member pledges to donate $100 to a Putnam County non-profit charity selected at each of four annual meetings held in February, May, August and November.
Julie Thompson, founder of the Putnam County organization, beams with enthusiasm. "For a total of $500 a year," she said, "female philanthropists can have a huge impact on our community. If Putnam County can produce 100 members, four worthy nonprofits will each receive $10,000 in 2014.
"Think about the difference $10,000 would make to a local non-profit organization. Think about the impact of $40,000 or more in donations during one year's time."
At the same time, Thompson noted, 100 Women Who Care will be building an endowment that will provide permanent funding benefiting Putnam County in the future.
The 100 Women Who Care Putnam County group allows busy women to become involved in giving back to the local community in a big way. Women members meet only four times each year for a one-hour meeting.
At each meeting, a member may submit her name along with the name of a local 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity or a government entity she would like to have included in a drawing. At each meeting, three members' submissions are chosen, and each of the three members will be given five minutes to provide an explanation of the organization and its services.
At the end of the presentations, members vote, ballots are counted and a winner is announced. The women then make out their checks or pay $100 in cash to the selected charity. If membership grows to 100 members, one Putnam County nonprofit will receive $10,000 at each meeting. The larger the group, the greater the impact that will be made, Thompson noted.
Everyone who joins by Feb. 5 will be considered a charter member of 100 Women Who Care Putnam County.
For more information and to obtain a membership form, persons may visit www.pcfoundation.org or contact Elaine Peck at the Community Foundation office, 653-4978 or visit 100 Women Who Care Putnam County on Facebook.