One year on, Franklin County chapter of 100+ Women Who Care gaining momentum
Published: 05-12-2025 8:30 AM
Modified: 05-15-2025 12:39 PM |
SHELBURNE FALLS — In its first year of giving, the Franklin County chapter of 100+ Women Who Care raised $23,650 for nonprofits across the county, a number that has since grown to $31,800 following its May meeting.
It works like this: members nominate nonprofits, excluding political, religious and school-based organizations. Then, by pulling names out of a hat, three organizations are picked to give a presentation about what the services they provide to the community.
“Members learn about so many interesting and deserving Franklin County nonprofits,” said Steering Committee member Clare Pearson. “We give these organizations important exposure to this lively group of caring and connected women.”
After hearing a presentation by a representative from the nonprofit and the woman who nominated it, members of the group vote and agree to each donate $50 to the organization that receives the most votes. Still, many members choose to offer an additional donation to one or both of the other presenting nonprofits.
“Even though only one organization will be selected to be the recipient of our group gift, every nonprofit who presents benefits,” Pearson explained. “Each nonprofit gains valuable exposure and a chance to educate this group of dynamic, well-connected women about their group … and we have been very generous. Every nonprofit who’s come in here and not gotten the collective gift has gone away with some money.”
With each meeting, membership in the Franklin County chapter of 100+ Women Who Care and the amount raised has grown. During their first year of donating, members voted to give $5,150 to Red Gate Farm in Ashfield, $5,250 to the People’s Medicine Project, $6,350 to The RECOVER Project in Greenfield and $6,900 to the Shelburne Falls Welcome Committee. The total from the first four quarterly meetings was $23,650.
As they entered their second year on May 5, the Franklin County chapter reached 163 members, with a total of $8,150 to donate. After reviewing presentations from the Hilltown Youth Recovery Theatre, Pride Day on the River and The Art Garden, the group voted to donate to The Art Garden, a community art studio in Shelburne Falls.
“The Art Garden is a community-supported art-making place here in Shelburne Falls, and for 15 years they’ve provided a nurturing environment where people of all ages can develop their unique artistic voices,” said Liesl Swogger, a member of 100+ Women Who Care. “I attended Fiber Friday, one of their free inter-generational events. People bring whatever they’re working on. Mine was a neglected knitting project, and while folks were chatting someone suggested I come back to attend the opening of the community art exhibit. … So I went. I was excited not only by the art, but by the conversations I heard in response to the pieces. The Art Garden became my avenue into the community.”
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Jane Wegscheider, founder of The Art Garden, said the donation from the 100+ Women Who Care will support programming and events for both children and adults, such as the Winter HooPla and Hilltown Draw-Around. The Art Garden operates on a $130,000 annual budget, which is funded through grants, pay-what-you-can program fees and community donations.
“We started with nothing. One of the things The Art Garden reflects is a culture of care and our rural culture of generosity,” Wegscheider said. “We get a lot of donations of art materials that people tried out and had sitting in their attic, even our furniture — we still have the old Mary Lyon chairs. We’ve been the recipient of so much generosity”
The Franklin County chapter of 100+ Women Who Care’s next meeting will be held Aug. 4. The women meet quarterly on the first Monday evening of February, May, August and November. For more information, visit 100pluswwc-franklinctyma.com.
Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.
An earlier version of this story incorrectly named one of the speakers. Liesl Swogger spoke about The Art Garden.