In 2006, a Jackson, Michigan woman — Karen Dunigan — hatched an idea to call up more than 100 business associates and friends, all women, to help pitch in financially on a local need of mobile cribs for struggling mothers.
Seeking a quick $10,000 and heightened community awareness, she thought it prudent for 100 people to give $100, rather than 10 people give $1,000.
From this concept, the non-profit 100 Women Who Care was born.
Today, more than 900 chapters worldwide turn their attention and efforts to community-based support — serving as consistent anchors for cities and fronts.
Six of those chapters are in Kentucky, and since November 2022, the sympathetic syndicate has been a critical, albeit quiet, part of Hopkinsville’s philanthropic fabric.
Chapter founders Marla White and Beth Frerichs — residents of Christian County for a combined 55 years — noted as much during Tuesday’s Hopkinsville Rotary Club meeting. White said the idea to bring it here spurred from a backyard conversation with a friend.
One thing led to another. White called Frerichs, and the game of telephone generated a planning meeting. Two women became 15. Fifteen became 30. Thirty became what is now 130. And they’re looking for more.
They have met five times since their inception, once every quarter, and White confirmed more than $60,000 has been delivered to five Christian County non-profits in the span, including:
— $11,100 to the Hopkinsville-Christian County Boys & Girls Club;
— $11,400 to Special Olympics;
— $12,000 to Men2Be;
— $12,500 to the Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center;
— And $13,100 to the First Christian Church Salvation Army Soup Kitchen.
White further detailed where these donations went.
Frerichs called the process simple and efficient. Before each meeting, members submit qualifying Christian County non-profits and essentially put them into a drawing hat. After a random selection, officials are notified, and are asked to make a five-minute presentation before the entire club about a pressing concept, struggle or action plan. A brief Q&A follows.
Three non-profits, and their stories, are considered at each gathering. Then, democratically, the club votes by secret ballot — and the “winner” receives no less than $100 from each person in the organization. Those who aren’t chosen can make another presentation in 24 months.
Consistent attendance, four $100 payments and being a woman are the only requisites of group membership. Frerichs also noted that members can go above and beyond the requirements, and that most — if not all — presenting non-profits make partnership connections, drum up volunteers, and often come away with financial gifts.
At the following meeting, “winners” are invited back to make another presentation — this time about where, and how, the money changed lives. Frerichs called this the “lump-in-the-throat” moment.
She also called this entire movement empowering, uplifting and much needed for Hopkinsville and its surroundings.
The only strings attached, she added, are the ones from the heart.
Already within this first year, the group has been contacted by the Richard Schulze Family Foundation. He’s the founder of Best Buy, and with this connection came the outreach of three $5,000 matching grants toward presenters.
Those interested in joining can attend their next meeting, set for February 5, 2024, at the Alhambra Theatre, or make contact through E-mail: 100WomenWhoCareHopkinsville@gmail.com.
