(Photo above: 100 Women Who Care at Central Oregon Veterans Ranch | by Kimberly Teichrow)
When we think of women, many descriptions immediately come to mind: efficient, effective, caring, resourceful, passionate, fun, doer, lover, collaborator, peace-maker and (insert your own list). The organization of 100+ Women Who Care Central Oregon (100+WWCCO) exemplifies all these qualities.
The concept behind the group is simple: four times a year, women gather at the Boys and Girls Club in downtown Bend for one hour to make a difference in the tri-county area. The group randomly selects three charities from nominations generated by members. Each representative, (often a volunteer rather than a staff member) then has five minutes to tell the story to the group of 120+ women of why her nonprofit should receive the collective funds. The presenter also receives five minutes to clarify any questions.
After the three organizations give their pitch, each member attending the meeting votes via a written ballot. The votes are tallied while the previous quarter’s recipient explains the significance of the gift. The organization with the most votes is announced. Each member then writes a $100 check directly to the charity on the spot. Boom. Done.
Not quite. There is work behind what seems so effortless – specifically by Lisa Connors and Lisa Shropshire, co-founders of 100+WWCCO. Not only do they promote the event through social media, communicate with members via phone, text and email, but are responsible for gathering checks from the members who weren’t able to attend the meeting. One of the criteria of membership is to pledge support for the chosen charity whether or not the person was able to attend the meeting.
Both Connors and Shropshire volunteer their time and work with free services to help manage operations of the group. Both have full-time work schedules, families, are involved in other volunteer activities and care for rescued pups.
100+ WWCCO has raised more than $300,000 since its inception in 2014 for nonprofit organizations in Central Oregon.
“We help make community connections. Many women are new to the area and want to jump in to make a difference,” says Connors, a native Chicagoan who has always been involved with some sort of philanthropic activity in the various cities she’s lived. Connors is a real estate broker for Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty with strong community relationships.
“Representatives from the nonprofits have mentioned that simply having the opportunity to tell their story with the group has made a positive impact on their organization. Women who hear the story are moved to volunteer or donate in a way that is significant to them.”
Shropshire, a native Texan, with 20 years of experience as a social entrepreneur who has a passion for creating sustainable programs that benefit nonprofits says, “100+WWCCO is a big, holistic circle of support. We support the nonprofit organizations that support the communities they serve. Folks who receive support from the nonprofit are now are able to support their own community in their unique way.”
Past recipients include Central Oregon Veterans Ranch (COVR), Family Kitchen, Backpacks in Bend, Oregon Adaptive Sports, Heart of Oregon Corps, Boys and Girls Club of Bend, Central Oregon Disability Support Network, Cascade Youth & Family Center, Bethlehem Inn, Family Access Network and Camp Tamarack.
“The 100+WWCCO donation was a game changer for Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS). The donation provided funds for OAS to purchase a 12-seat accessible bus we named Joy,” says executive director and 100+WWCCO member, Susan Lafkey. “The bus has enabled OAS to provide access to outdoor recreation, giving us the ability to transport blind and visually impaired participants to new and exciting places.”
Alison Perry, MS,LPC and founder of COVR agrees. “Without the contribution from 100+WWCCO, we would not have been able to furnish Honor Quarters, which is the Ranch home where veterans nearing end-of-life will spend their final days. We wanted the home to be a place of beauty where veterans could find peace and feel honored.”
The first 100WWC chapter was started in November of 2006 by Realtor Karen Dunigan from Jackson, Michigan. In little more than a decade, 100+WWC has grown to include more than 500 chapters in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Singapore. Professional women, mothers and retirees comprise the group of caring, resourceful women.
The Central Oregon group is one of the largest chapters in existence with more than 250 members and was the first chapter in Pacific Northwest. Due to the work of Connors and Shropshire, and the success of the Central Oregon chapter, spin-offs have blossomed in Seattle, Portland, Anchorage, Fairbanks, the Mat-Su Valley in Alaska, and Connecticut. Locally, Shropshire’s husband Steve, started 100+Men Who Care Central Oregon.
“It’s the collective impact of what women can accomplish in a short period of time that is so inspiring to me. My heart swells with gratitude,” says Shropshire.
“This has truly become my passion project,” says Connors. “It is heart-warming to see that our collective donations have been such a support to so many worthy non-profits. It is gratifying to know that the effort, resources and time Lisa S. and I have dedicated to the group have all been worthwhile.”
Both women encourage nominations for organizations in La Pine, Prineville, Sisters, Redmond and Madras.
100wwc@gmail.com.
www.100wwcco.com
