"100 plus Women Who Care" Decorah chapter will have its first meeting soon

First there was "100+ Men Who Care, Driftless Chapter," a group which meets once a quarter to decide which local charity to donate money to.  Now there will be a similar group in Decorah for women who want to financially support local causes.

"100+ Women Who Care-Oneota Valley" will hold its first meeting from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at Rubaiyat in Decorah.  The group is being organized by Decorah residents Kim Bonnet, Heidi Rockweiler, Chauncy Eggland, Alecia Bucksa, Sara Wientzen, and Jennifer Gipp.  Anyone who's interested in attending the meeting or just finding out more about the group can email Jen Gipp at jengipp82@gmail.com. 

The 100 Who Care concept was developed in 2006 in Jackson, Michigan, when a group met with a goal of raising $10,000 to buy cribs for newborn babies.  They asked 100 people to donate $100. That group raised $12,800 at their first meeting and the concept caught on.

There are currently more than 400 chapters throughout the world.  The groups meet four times a year for one hour and learn about three randomly selected charities nominated by members. The members of the group vote and one charity is selected to receive 100 individual checks of $100 from the members. The checks are written directly to the local agency, not a foundation or the 100 Who Care Alliance, so there are no administrative fees or transactions.