MOUNT VERNON – Knox County women came together for the quarterly 100+ Women Who Care meeting on Tuesday, July 9, at The Woodward Opera House.
More than $19,800 has been awarded since the group’s first meeting in October of 2022.
“Our goal is to become a group of over 100 women and we’re moving toward that. We are reimagining local giving through this giving circle,” explained founding member Marty Bell.
“It’s powerful and educational. I’m learning about organizations and resources I didn’t even know existed in Knox County.”
The group learned about two Knox County nonprofit organizations that were nominated by the members for funding consideration: Giving Hope Charity and TouchPointe Family & Marriage Resources.
After a membership vote, it was determined that Giving Hope Charity would receive this quarter’s funding of $2,500. Another $120 was donated to TouchPointe by members during the meeting.
Nominated by Patty Dice, Giving Hope Charities was started in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. Local school bus drivers saw a need to provide hope to local youth by taking them Christmas shopping.
Four years later, they continue this tradition with local “elf” volunteers in addition to their WOW “Words on Wheels” bus which offers free books at various stops in the community to students age K-12.
This year, in addition, they are seeking to find ways to help Knox County Career Students purchase tools needed for their career training.
The next 100 Women meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 8, in The Woodward Opera House, with social time at 6:15 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m.
Special guests during the social time will be Halle Krajenski from Knox County’s United Way and Lisa Lloyd from the Knox County Foundation.
They will talk to members about how they can be actively involved with our local nonprofit organizations. Displays will also be available from organizations who’ve received funding.
Learn more or register to be part of 100+ Women Who Care by visiting www.100womenknox.org or following the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/100womenknox.
If you have questions, contact chapter team leader Marty Bell at 100womenknox@gmail.com.
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