Photo courtesy of 100+ Women Who Care
An old adage claims that it’s better to give than to receive, and Fairfield County’s 100+ Women Who Care is a group that knows this to be true.
In 2011, Peg Tobin formed a nonprofit company, Ordinary Women Make a Difference, to connect women to their full potential and give back to the community.
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When Pickerington resident Sara Rose called last year to suggest she and Tobin work together to create a Fairfield County chapter of 100+ Women Who Care, the two connected the groups in an effort to bring women together and assist local charities.
“I heard about Franklin County’s chapter through the Columbus news,” Rose says. “I thought it would be a great idea and wanted to get involved. I thought it would be an excellent way of easily raising money for local charities.”
The concept is simple, but effective. Four times a year, the members of the local chapter of 100+ Women Who Care convene to nominate charities, nonprofit organizations and causes in the Fairfield County area. Three members then have the opportunity to make a presentation about the group they nominated. At the end of the meeting, the women vote on which cause to support and each donate $100.
“In our nine months of existence, 100+ Women Who Care has given $6,700 back to the community,” Tobin says. “The first organization, Tyler’s Light, received $2,000. The second organization, A Hands On Adventure, received $2,200 and the third organization, Nellie’s Catwalk For Kids, received $2,500.”
Of the 25 women who make up Fairfield County’s chapter of 100+ Women Who Care, 17 are from Pickerington.
Donna Bickis, a Pickerington resident, became involved in 100+ Women Who Care through Ordinary Women Make A Difference. She joined to help connect women to their full potential and enjoys seeing the two organizations grow together.
“In 100+ Women, we are able to share an opportunity with others to contribute to local charities,” Bickis says. “What I enjoy about the organization is the opportunity to give and see the pleasure in other women as they also are making a difference and changing lives.”
Pickerington resident Debbie Roush shares Bickis’ enthusiasm for the organization.
“It only took me a minute to say ‘yes’ to joining the 100+ Women Who Care group,” she says. “The Women Who Care group has introduced me to some wonderful charities that I was previously unaware of in the county.”
Besides working toward their mission to make a significant impact on the local community, the women of 100+ Women Who Care have created an environment of friendship and support.
“This is a group of wonderful women who are getting to network, connect and get to know other women,” Rose says. “It’s nice to see what others are doing to make the community better and work to support them.”
The next 100+ Women Who Care meeting will take place May 12. The members invite anyone who’s interested to attend as a guest to meet the women and see how the group operates. More information can be found at the organization’s website, www.ordinary-women.com/100+Women-Who-Care.
Taylor Weis is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
