One of the hundreds of nonprofits serving Kendall County and its residents is 100 Women of the Hill Country.
The organization just celebrated it’s one-year anniversary and celebrated some significant results and success stories along the way.
Called one of the nation’s most powerful, uplifting and fun fundraising movements, the 100 Women Who Care organization was started in November 2006 by Karen Dunigan of Jackson, Michigan, as a simple way to raise money efficiently and quickly for local charities.
Her group of 100 women, at its first one-hour meeting, each wrote a check for $100 directly to the charity, raising $10,000 to buy 300 new baby cribs for an organization in their city.
Since then, it has grown to more than 700 separate organizations around the world, statistics showed, including more than 200 in the United States. These groups collectively have donated more than $1 million to locally based organizations, information states.
Last summer, the Kendall County group formed and has awarded more than $60,000 to other local organizations during its first year.
The 100 Women of the Hill Country is a local group of women who gather four times a year for a one-hour meeting to learn about local grassroots charities. Each member donates at least $100 to a charity selected by the members. The result is a $10,000 minimum award that makes a significant impact without time-consuming fundraising events and planning. And, in their first year, the women surpassed that goal in a big way.
“We loved the concept of serving those right here in our community — causes near and dear to the Hill Country — in an easy and effective way, and in a way that will bring women together socially as well,” local co-founder Ambre Bodle has said. “Our vision ensures 100% of donated money goes to the selected charity. It takes little time and turns smaller, individual donations into major gifts.” Originally, the goal was to get 100 women to join the organization. Board member Mandy Jones told The Star the number has since swelled to 175 members.
And those 175 members donated a combined $10,000 to the Retreat Home for Children, $14,000 to Day 1 Bags, $14,000 to the South Texas Alliance for Orphans and $17,500 to Transformation House. Jones also said the Schulz Foundation provided a $5,000 matching donation, bringing the total to $60,500 for the group’s “collective impact.”
“We can’t express how grateful we are for each of you and your hearts for others in need,” information on a flyer stated. “All that we have accomplished is evidence of our mission at work.”
Information from when the organization formed last year stated members commit to the $400 annual donation and meet four times a year to hear about three worthy causes during each meeting before they cast their votes for the “winning” charity, with the chosen group receiving the funding. Causes serving Kendall, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Gillespie and Kerr counties are eligible, and nominations are accepted by participating members during each meeting.
Nominees then are vetted to make sure they meet 100 Women’s requirements and are entered into a drawing. From there, three nominees randomly are drawn, and representatives from the charity are invited to present during a general meeting. Of those, one is chosen by vote to receive the award.
To learn more about the Hill Country chapter, visit www.100womenhc.org.
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