The 100 Women Who Care East Tennessee Foothills chapter celebrated a one-year anniversary Thursday and awarded $15,500 to a local nonprofit.
What began with four women who wanted to give back to Loudon and Monroe counties has quickly turned into 180 women with the same goal.
After the pandemic and closure of the Lenoir City 100 WWC, Ellen Fox, Mary Ann Blank, Susan Stalgaitis and Ann Lewellen got together and decided to start their own chapter.
The first meeting was held in November 2022.
Based on a giving-circle model, the women gather and collectively decide on a nonprofit that will receive donations from the women in attendance. Once collected, the money is immediately given to the selected nonprofit.
Between meetings, members submit nonprofit recommendations, which are vetted based on 100 WWC criteria.
In order to be nominated, a nonprofit must serve in Loudon or Monroe counties, be a 501©(3) organization for at least two years and prove current status with the Internal Revenue Service.
Nonprofits must also agree to start using the funds within a year from the day the check is received.
“I think a lot of the organizations aren’t used to getting a large lump sum of money at once and Karen (Hamerslag) said, ‘I don’t think I can spend it all in one year’,” Lewellen said.
Hamerslag was the first recipient for Adopt-a-Class TN. The nonprofit was awarded $18,500 and currently has around $7,000 left.
During the quarterly meeting, Hamerslag detailed the work volunteers have accomplished in local schools, such as providing at-home family learning packs and read-to-me teddy bears.
About a month before the quarterly meeting, the 100 WWC leadership team draws three nonprofits from a hat. The organization is contacted to ensure interest and the ability to attend the quarterly meeting.
At the meeting, a representative from each nonprofit has five minutes to tell members and guests why they should receive donations. Members cast votes once all three candidates have spoken.
If members aren’t able to attend the meeting, they can vote online beginning a week prior.
A check is written to the nonprofit with the most votes the night of the meeting and may also be eligible for Richard M. Schulze grants, which match 100WWC donations up to $5,000.
“We are so happy to have guests,” Stalgaitis said. “They can come, but they just can’t vote. If they want to give a donation they can, but a membership means you will give ($100) four times a year. … We know we’re going to make a big impact.”
Thursday’s quarterly meeting featured presentations from the Boys & Girls Club of Loudon County, the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee and ABA Next Steps-Riverside Coffee Shop.
ABA Next Steps had the most votes and was given $15,500. The nonprofit was nominated by Flo Valentino.
Angela Lee, founder and CEO, and Faye Presley, special education teacher and vocational trainer, explained that ABA Next Steps provides vocational training — such as social interaction and cooking — to young adults and teenagers diagnosed with autism or other developmental differences.
Ann Martin, a first-time guest, was overjoyed to hear ABA Next Steps won the votes.
“For a very small organization without national funding or big funding, they’re affecting the lives greatly of their students that are there,” Martin said. “It’s a great place to get coffee and (the students) enjoy going.”
During closing remarks, the chapter announced the group has given away nearly $100,000 to local nonprofits since its inception. The next meeting will be held Feb. 12. Guests and new members are welcome.
