Biannual gathering features dinner, donation to local charity

HERMISTON — A membership-based gathering of women in Eastern Oregon uses the power of collective giving circles to make a difference across the region, while providing a platform to create lasting change in their communities.

Holly Woods founded 100+ Women Who Care – Eastern Oregon to provide a way to support local nonprofit organizations in a meaningful way. She said it’s designed for those who may be too busy to volunteer in traditional ways but still want to give back to their communities.

With its collective giving circle model, it uses membership participation to raise $10,000 or more two times a year for a vetted, local charity in Eastern Oregon. 100+ Women Who Care, Woods said, is about making a difference together.

The spring gathering of 100+ Women Who Care – Eastern Oregon is May 14, 5:30 p.m. at Maxwell Siding Event Center & Pavilion, 145 N. First Place, Hermiston. The event is open to nonmembers — register via www.100easternoregon.com.

The gathering features dinner from Amici Cucina Italian and a no-host bar from Nookie’s Restaurant & Brewery. In addition, the women’s group will select a nonprofit organization as the beneficiary of their collective giving.

“Those thinking about joining can come and observe on May 14 and sign up if they choose,” Woods said.

Members are expected to attend the group’s two meetings each year and commit to donating $100 to the organization chosen at each meeting, for a yearly total of $200.

“When someone donates $100 to charity as an individual, it doesn’t go very far,” Woods said. “When we give collectively, though, we are able to have a huge impact on a local nonprofit in just one evening.”

Leading up to its biannual meeting, members nominated nonprofit organizations to support. A random drawing held April 16 identified the three finalists — Sweet Potato’s Closet, Soroptimist International of the Greater Hermiston Area and the Greater Hermiston Community Foundation. During the May 14 event, representatives from each charity will share about their organization and needs, followed by a vote by the membership on which charity to support.

Woods said the impact goes beyond a single evening of giving, with several members pursuing additional volunteer opportunities after learning about different nonprofits at a semi-annual meeting.

The 100 Who Care Alliance began in Michigan in 2006 and now has 450 chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Singapore, including 100 Kids Who Care and 100 Men Who Care.

100+ Women Who Care – Eastern Oregon held its inaugural gathering in December 2022. Past recipients of its biannual donations include Made to Thrive, the Pacific Northwest Veterans Alliance, Stepping Stones Alliance and Fuzz Ball Animal Rescue.

For more information about the group, visit www.100easternoregon.com or search Facebook via bit.ly/42Uw0v6. For questions, contact Woods at holly.woods@academymortgage.com or 541-371-1155.

​​— East Oregonian community editor Tammy Malgesini contributed to this report.