Challenger League First Organization to be Funded by 100+ Women Who Care-Harrison County
By Julie Perine on April 24, 2016 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
As was intended, a local organization is benefiting from “the power of 100.” On April 14, the first meeting of “100+ Women Who Care – Harrison County” met at Bridgeport Country Club with 40 women in attendance. From all walks of life and of all ages, each member pledged $400 per year to be payable quarterly to a 501C3 charitable organization chosen by the group. Last Wednesday, that charity of choice – as voted upon by members - was the Bridgeport Little League Challenger Division.
At the league’s opening day ceremonies on Saturday, representatives of 100+ Women Who Care – Harrison County, presented Challenger League Organizers Kim and Mike Martin with a check for $4,000. The funds will be put to great use to maintain the league, enabling about 90 physically- and/or mentally-impaired North Central West Virginia children and teens to play baseball.
“We can’t tell you how much we appreciate the donation from the ‘100+ Women Who Care,’” Kim Martin said. “The community support that we have received over the years has been absolutely incredible.”
A major source of funding over the past several years has been the Benedum Festival 5K, which will not take place this year.
“So the timing of this generous donation is perfect,” Martin said. “This money will be utilized to provide uniforms for the players and the buddies who help them. Additionally, at our end-of-the year party we are able to provide every player with a jacket, trophy and a 30- to 40-minute video of the season set to music.”
The league also provides the buddies – who assist the young athletes in play – with gifts including sweatshirts and videos.
“With the additional money, we are not only able to provide the players with shirts and hats, but also with really nice warm-up jackets that they wear to the games with a lot of pride,” Martin said. “The donation from the ‘100+ Women Who Care’ organization will also help fund tickets to a WVU baseball game for all players and their families who want to go.”
Without the support of our incredible community and such generous donations, the league could not provide such nice things to its special needs players and the children and adults who selflessly assist them, Martin said.
Deanna Mason said she couldn’t be happier about the launch of the Harrison County chapter of the 100 Women Who Care Alliance, which includes groups from across the globe. Based on the feedback she has received and the post-meeting conversations which have developed, she speculates the group will reach 100 members in the near future.
At last week’s meeting, three members made pitches for charities. In addition to the Challenger League, presentations were made on behalf of Medbrook Children’s Charities and the Clarksburg Mission. Members are welcome to make additional pitches on behalf of those organizations for potential funding.
It’s a very simple concept with a very big impact, Deanna Mason said. Interested Harrison County women who would like to join forces with the group can download a membership form, complete it and return it to one of the organizers – or bring it to a future meeting.
The next meeting of the organization is July 13 at Bridgeport Country Club. At each meeting, three different members can make five-minute pitches for their charity of choice. Afterwards, members vote and majority vote wins.
It was while recently visiting Hilton Head that Deanna Mason learned about the alliance, which was founded in 2005 and includes 350 chapters. Huntington is the only other chapter in West Virginia, Mason said. She thinks it’s an ideal way for busy women to give back to their community.
“Women may not have time in their busy lives to volunteer, but they still want to help,” she said. “This is easy. It doesn’t take much time and you don’t have to fundraise and 100 percent of the donations go to charity and stays right here in Harrison County.”
If a member cannot make one of the four meetings, she can vote via proxy, Deanna Mason said.
In addition to the financial benefit to local charities, the concept promotes networking, forms friendships and provides important social time to busy women.
“Also, the women learn more about charity organizations in their own community,” Deanna Mason said. That can result in even more positive outcomes, including potential volunteerism and involvement, she said.
If the Harrison County chapter becomes too large, it will be divided into smaller groups. Perhaps a men’s group or children’s group will also evolve, Deanna Mason said.
The possibilities are endless as are the positive impact on agencies and organizations which serve on a daily basis, she said.
For more information, visit the chapter’s Facebook page, where all forms can be downloaded.
