"100 Women Who Care" in the Mid-Ohio Valley Achieves $50K Milestone in Support

The philanthropic group, "100 Women Who Care in the Mid-Ohio Valley," has proudly reached a milestone by raising $50,685 since its establishment in 2021. This commendable achievement showcases their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in their community.

These dedicated women have channeled their collective efforts toward supporting a diverse range of causes. Among the beneficiaries of their generosity are vital organizations such as the North Star Child Advocacy Center (The Children’s Listening Place), the Latrobe Street Mission, Kelly’s Closet, the Gospel Mission Food Pantry, River City Farmers Market, Special Olympics of Washington County, Jon Six Food Ministry Inc., and House to Home, operated by the Parkersburg Area Coalition for the Homeless. The most recent grant, bestowed in 2023, was allocated to House to Home.

Of particular significance, House to Home received an impressive $10,200, which has been designated for the installation of a shower and bathroom facility at their new shelter. Recognizing the essential nature of personal hygiene, especially for those experiencing homelessness, this initiative seeks to restore dignity and basic comfort to individuals in need. Shelly Rose, a representative from House to Home, emphasized the profound impact of this endeavor, stating that such facilities are often taken for granted by many but can be crucial for those facing challenging circumstances.

The group's upcoming meeting, scheduled for November 2, promises to continue their dedication to community betterment. The event will feature the non-profits Good to You, Jess’ House, and the Washington County Homeless Project. This platform provides nominated non-profit organizations with a ten-minute presentation slot followed by a Q&A session, enabling the members to make informed decisions when casting their votes for the selected charity.

One of the core principles of the "100 Women Who Care" group is to keep their contributions localized, ensuring that the impact of their support remains within the community. Eligible organizations must be based in the Mid-Ohio Valley area with a primary service focus on Wood County or Washington County. The collaborative spirit of the group also extends to their voting process, which allows remote participation for absent members and pre-event donations.

The chosen charity at each meeting receives the entirety of the collected cash and checks. The group utilizes an online donation portal known as Grapevine to facilitate contributions and transfers the funds to the winning non-profit organization at the start of the following month. This process ensures a direct and timely flow of support to those in need.

Furthermore, the group encourages ongoing engagement by allowing donating members present at the meeting to nominate an organization for the subsequent quarterly gathering. This democratic approach to selecting charitable beneficiaries maintains an element of randomness, ensuring that diverse causes receive the spotlight.

In essence, the "100 Women Who Care in the Mid-Ohio Valley" represents the spirit of collective impact and community-driven change. Their dedicated efforts exemplify the power of individuals coming together to effect meaningful change for the betterment of society.