Why Licking County? Licking County is the third largest county in the state of Ohio. It is home to the communites of Heath, Hebron, Granville, Johnstown, Newark, Pataskala and several others. The percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009 was 11.9 and there are numerous 501 (c) 3 organizations established to meet various needs in the county. Those organizations need our help. They compete with other well known big philanthropies with dollars to spend on advertising. Not to say that national organizations are not wonderful organizations supporting worthwhile causes- they are! 100+ WWC does not seek to take away from those groups but rather to provide an adjunct service to those people and organizations here in our community where neighbors can help neighbors. While there is an obvious desire to provide help for those in economic need, many other gaps remain that 100+ women can help fill as well. The types of groups we could help with are wide and varied. Some examples of which may be trying to bring the arts to children, beautify our streets, provide shelter to animals, or auxillary therapeutic services to kids with autism.
Why a giving circle? In a giving circle, defined as a group of individual donors putting their money together and collectively deciding where the resources should be distributed, members report a feeling of connectedness with their community. Members are likely to give strategically to affect change. They research the potential organizations as well as those organizations' intended use for the pooled funds, thereby ascertaining outcomes that tend to be more specific and tangible than those of individual givers. Giving circle members are also highly engaged in their communities. After joining a giving circle members often share the experience and knowledge with others thereby spreading the information gained in the circle even farther (think educating the community about it's needs and potential solutions.) It's no surprise that giving circles speak most clearly to women. As the number and impact of giving circles continues to rise, the body of information about them also does. For more official information and research about the impact of giving circles look here and here.
If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it. ~Lucy Larcom Listen to the news any day and you can hear about just how different we are, how polarized, how much we disagree, how little we can accomplish. In the Licking County 100+ WWC we have an opportunity to do good. An opportunity to light some fires in our community to warm ourselves as well as others. Perhaps you want to give in other ways? 100+ WWC Licking County gives great exposure to possible ways to become more deeply involved in the community. Check out the selected charities page for more information about the charity chosen as well as those that were not. Maybe you'd like to volunteer your time with one of them? "We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” -Maya Angelou 100+ WWC Licking County will introduce you to other women interested in the same basic things you are and shed some light on just how much alike we truly are.
What is the history of 100+ Women Who Care? The first 100+ Women Who Care organization was founded by Karen Dunigan in her community of Jackson, Michigan back in 2006. Originally looking to be a group of 100 women pooling their money with 100 dollar checks four times a year to make an impact in their region, they began with 100 plus members and have grown to about 250. Their first donation was to a Center for Family Heath-providing cribs to low income mothers. Finding strength in numbers, other groups of women throughout the country have latched onto this concept of a “giving circle” and found similar successful experiences in their communities. To check out some of the other fantastic communities of 100+ Women Who Care and their success stories see here, here, here, here, or just google it!
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. ~Herman Melville