SPRAKERS — The new local organization 100 Women Who Care of the Adirondack Foothills is ending its inaugural year with a bang — $38,000 in total donations to three local charities.
The philanthropic alliance of women from regional counties in November made a $15,000 donation to the Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter in Sprakers.
“They are very appreciative,” 100 Women representative Holly Chamberlin said Friday.
A news release issued Friday by the non-profit 100 Women organization noted it is a group made up of women from Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie counties. It supports the concept of “collective philanthropy” — a form of charitable giving that is becoming popular across the country. The group’s inaugural meeting was held in May, and it has already exceeded its goal of 100 members.
“We currently have 150 members, who are generous, motivated women from the local community,” said Amy Karas, one of the founding members of the group. “We are excited by our overwhelming success and encourage any women who are interested to join us.”
Chamberlin said the group’s next meeting is set for Feb. 7.
Members pledge to meet together four times per year to choose a local charity from a pool of organizations nominated by one or more members. Each member then contributes $100 to the awardee. The group’s meetings are designed to be simple and efficient, lasting no longer than 60 minutes. Other 2018 donations have been given by the group to the Gloversville Children’s Backpack Program ($10,000) and the Haven for Hope in Fonda ($13,000).
The original 100 Women Who Care was started in Jackson, Mich. in 2006. More than 350 chapters have spread throughout communities in the United States and across the globe.
“We’ll continue to have quarterly meetings,” Chamberlin said.
The concept of 100 Women Who Care of the Adirondack Foothills, she said, involves members submitting nominations for possible groups to donate to. Three possible targets of donation are randomly drawn from a hat and discussed at the meeting until a final recipient is decided upon, Chamberlin said.
The release indicated that Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter Director Claire Custer stated, “This is an amazing gift that will open up many new opportunities for us to improve our facilities. We are thrilled.”
Ayres is a non-profit shelter that has had 214 dogs and 146 cats come through their doors so far in 2018.
“We are proud to act as a stepping stone for animals to lead a happy, healthy lives with loving homes,” said Custer.
In addition to placing animals in new homes, Ayres also sponsors spay and neutering clinics and shelter dog obedience classes.
Other founding members of the local 100 Women group include Chamberlin, Patricia Beck, Audrey Kline, and Marj Kline. Women wishing to join as a new member may register online at the organization’s website at www.100womenadk.org.
The group’s email is: [email protected].
Information can also be obtained at the 100 Women Who Care ADK Facebook page.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected].
