Cover Story: 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex

A Decade Of Grassroots Giving

Seeks To Make A Bigger Impact In The Future

How can an organization with no staff, no funding, and minimal guidelines raise over $400,000 in 10 years?

It’s simple. Actually, that is the answer.

The simplicity of 100 Women Who Care is the reason for its success.

“It’s the concept of bringing women together, listening to charities, writing a cheque directly to that charity, and doing it in a one-hour time frame — that’s the only guiding principle of it,” explains Maureen Lucas, Co-founder of the local 100 Women Who Care chapter.

In 2012, Lucas, President of LucasWorks!

Recruitment & Human Resource

Specialists, was in London visiting one of her office locations. Her branch manager mentioned the 100 Women organization and suggested starting a Windsor chapter.

Lucas then met with Liz Farano, Vice President of Douglas Marketing Group (DMG), and at a group session with 70 people willing to join, the two founded the Windsor-Essex chapter.

The first meeting of the 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex chapter took place in February 2013 (year one). It kick-started 10 more years (and counting) of women coming together to help raise much-needed funds for area organizations.

The local chapter is based on the original 100 Women Who Care group that was founded in Jackson, Michigan.

At a work meeting in 2006, Karen Dunigan learned of a local need: new mothers were bringing home babies and having them sleep in boxes or dresser drawers because they could not afford cribs; some of the children did not survive.

She asked what cribs and bedding would cost to help those in need — $10,000.

Dunigan thought about who could write a big cheque, but then realized that she probably knew 100 women who could each give $100.

In a one-hour meeting with friends, she raised $12,800 to solve the local need. Dunigan then launched 100 Women Who Care (now part of the 100 Who Care Alliance) and started the format that is used today by nearly 900 chapters, comprised of women, men, kids, and teens.

A typical meeting starts with three presentations from local charities. 100 Women Who Care WindsorEssex attendees vote on their preferred presentation and at the end of the night, they write a $100 cheque directly to the charity with the most votes.

The chapter meets four times a year — in February, May, August and November — so the commitment is $400 annually (whether you attend or not).

A group of four friends can also connect to donate $25 each, but share their single vote. That’s it.

“It’s a grassroots organization that supports other charitable organizations,” Lucas indicates. “We handle no money and the member gets the donation receipt.”

Lucas sold her business in 2017 and is now the Entrepreneur In Residence at the University of Windsor EPICentre.

She donates her time along with a few other members to do the administrative work, like Chantelle Meadows, the group’s Community Liaison; Meadows’s daughter also does all of the Facebook Live charity draws.

Helping charity is what it is all about! On May 12, 2022 at the Windsor Yacht Club, a cheque for $13,000 was presented by 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex to Bryan and Melba Bedard of the Katelyn Bedard Bone Marrow Association. Photo by Rod Denis.

Along with being the Co-founder of the group, Farano and her team at Douglas Marketing Group contribute everything web and graphic design related.

“They have made us look good for 10 years, which has been a wonderful and long commitment,” says Lucas.

Meeting space is donated by in-kind sponsors (such as the Windsor Yacht Club and the Ciociaro Club) and food is either donated or paid for by a group member.

This year, St. Clair College is a diamond sponsor, adding a $1,000 donation to each of the four meetings, along with providing food and meeting space.

Other Companies Who Care are: Tina Pickle and Mark A. Eugeni of Manor Realty’s The Legal Edge Team, RBC Dominion Securities, The Cabinet Studio (Canada) Inc., Logic Executive Search & Workplace Solutions, REALTOR Nick Bibic of Buckingham Realty, WFCU (Windsor Family Credit Union), Green Shield Canada and TD Bank.

Along with St. Clair College, these sponsors will also donate $1,000 a year to be added to member donations.

Many of the group’s current members have been involved since that first group session.

So, what has kept the two founders and others committed to the cause for a decade?

“The absolute joy that every single woman has in being a part of something whereby, in contributing $100 in one hour, that becomes a $10,000 donation to a charity,” says Lucas. “You feel like you have a real impact and you know that what you are giving the money to is a very specific project or a program that’s running or an underfunded program.”

Lucas comments that the model gives more of a hands-on feeling about where the money is going, especially the charities that invite the group to come out and see their donations in action.

There is also the added reward of supporting so many worthy causes in Windsor Essex. “I love that we support them all,” she expresses. “We get to not just focus on one need in our community, but we get to share the wealth amongst all the great demand that these different charities have.”

When asked which stories of giving really stand out, there are so many in her opinion.

One heart-warming presentation was from the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society (WECHS) who talked about the animals not adopted; the funds were used to keep the animals in the shelter.

Since winners come to the next meeting to collect their big cheque, WECHS came with some of the dogs who were saved.

LaSalle/Windsor Special Olympics was another memorable recipient in 2017. One of the athletes went to the world stage to compete and came home with three medals.

“That was hugely satisfying, to know that we supported an organization that gave athletes a chance to compete,” Lucas states. “Every single charity has something so special and that’s why they get in our hearts and that’s why we’re writing the cheques . . . because we feel so strongly about what we’re doing to help them.”

As in many other cities, 100 Men Who Give A Damn and 100 Kids Who Care were created based on the success of 100 Women Who Care.

Unfortunately, it was a struggle to keep those branches going and maintain the momentum during the pandemic.

Whereas it was great to see the impact the groups had, Lucas hopes that some leaders will step forward to bring those groups back.

In the meantime, she wants people to know that anyone (not just women) is welcome at their meetings and will be greeted warmly.

The group also ensures that it gives to a wide variety of charities that reach the entire community as well, including health, animals, sport, safety, addictions, and youth.

For 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex, the pandemic affected them as well.

Over 80 women came back together for the first in-person meeting of the 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex group in two years, at the Windsor Yacht Club. Needless to say there were plenty of hugs and conversations to catch up on! Photo by Rod Denis.

No longer able to meet in person, and with the June 27th Miracle food drive being promoted, they emailed members and suggested that a donation to a food bank would be a great way to keep the mission going. Then they went virtual.

“We just knew that we didn’t want to stop what we were doing,” says Lucas. “Women kept reaching out to say, ‘I really hope we can keep this going’, so we did.”

For the new format, charities were asked to submit video presentations; the attendees could watch the videos during a Facebook Live session, and then vote online.

Now back to in-person meetings, the group is hoping to bump up the quarterly donations to $15,000.

As part of the group’s 10-year anniversary, they are including Companies Who Care to raise the giving level, but hope that beyond this year they can sustain that amount through growing their membership.

Lucas says that it is important to be adaptable and the organizers watch trends in giving to see what they should be doing to ensure a great experience for the donors.

After COVID-19, that meant keeping the virtual option available for members who did not want to come to a live meeting.

It’s all about engagement and momentum.

“We want to keep going and keep things fresh,” Lucas emphasizes. “We try to do fun things at the events. Our goal is to keep this group thriving so that $50,000 goes into the community that would not otherwise go into our community.”

That growth goal should be attainable based on the loyalty of the group’s

The very first meeting for 100 Women Who Care WindsorEssex was in February 2013 with 70 in attendance. The first charity selected to receive their donation was the Windsor Residence For Young Men. A cheque presentation for $7,600 took place at the May meeting with (from left): Maureen Lucas, Cathy Mombourquette, Greg Goulin (charity contact), Erin Mammarella and Liz Farano. Photo courtesy of Maureen Lucas.

current membership and the ability to tap into their networks.

Let’s now find out from seven women why they became members of the organization and what stands out for them.

Leigh and Tereza Hello

Kitchen Designers/Owners The Cabinet Studio (Canada) Inc.

Tereza and Leigh Hello are celebrating six years with the 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex chapter.

The mother and daughter team joined because they had heard amazing stories of the organization in Michigan and then found out there was a Windsor chapter.

“We were ecstatic and wanted to do our part to help our local organizations!” Leigh expresses. “We stay for many reasons. We love learning about different charities in the community and being able to help grow their initiatives. We also love meeting up with the rest of the ladies. Three months fly by and it’s nice to catch up with friends during the networking portion of the meeting.”

Along with giving, the Hellos also were able to highlight a charity that is close to their hearts.

“Our main charity for our family and our company is Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and more specifically our Windsor Chapter,” they indicate. “We were able to present our charity to the group and we were lucky enough to be awarded the donations ($10,700)! One of the benefits that came from that meeting, that we didn’t anticipate, were the friendships and conversations we had as a result. People still come up to us during the meetings to share with us their Crohn’s story of either themselves or their loved ones. The awareness piece is really powerful!”

The Hellos hope to see the organization expand and have satellite chapters throughout Essex County to maximize the positive impact on our local communities.

Marla Coffin

President & CEO MARDA Management Inc, Huron Shores Property Management

Marla Coffin was attracted to the idea of making a heavy contribution in a short amount of time.

She joined the group four years ago and continues to participate due to the ease of donating and the high impact in the community.

“I love hearing about organizations that I am not familiar with, that don’t necessarily get the level of exposure that well-known ones do,” says Coffin. “One of those that had not been previously familiar to me was Sleep in Heavenly Peace. This organization makes and provides beds to children who are without . . . what a special thing to be able to provide a child. More children go without than the average person may think.”

Coffin looks forward to growing the group and its contributions: “We are making a difference in Windsor Essex, and other women can too!”

Mila Lucio joined the group as a simple way to give back and enjoys the positive environment to this day.

Mila Lucio

Executive Vice President, Human Resources & Social Impact Green Shield Canada

At the 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex meeting on August 17 at the Ciociaro Club, the group presented a cheque for $14,100 to Gesstwood Camp & Education Centre. In the front row from left are: members Chantelle Meadows and Liz Farano; Gesstwood’s Executive Director Karen Seguin and board member Shirley Horton; and members Mary Webb and Maureen Lucas. At this meeting the group also selected Life After Fifty as the next organization to receive their donation. Photo courtesy of the local chapter.

“I stay because of the positive energy and the empowerment I feel as a wonderful group of women come together to empower our communities,” she says. “Not only is it a place where we raise money, it’s a place of partnership, mentorship, and allyship, which makes me really proud to be part of this wonderful group.”

One of Lucio’s favourite gifts was to the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women who used their $15,000 donation to create an outdoor space at their new location on Tuscarora Street.

“Given that children make up a significant portion of the clients they serve, it is wonderful that they had a focus on making life just a bit more comfortable for the children and women seeking shelter,” Lucio notes.

She continues by stating: “My wish for the future is that all communities have a chapter of 100 Women, and that there are wonderful people in each community who bring these groups together.”

Lucio concludes: “For Windsor Essex my wish is that we continue to support charities that need some extra help to make the difference they know they can, and that we do it by continuing to grow our membership well beyond the 100 we first imagined.”

Rookaya Parak

Principal (Retired) Greater Essex County District School Board

Rookaya Parak has been a member of the group since the first meeting.

“I love the concept of a one-hour meeting and choosing a charity and writing my $100 cheque,” she says. “For me it is very important that the funds go directly to the chosen charity.”

Her favourite donation was to a women’s shelter that Parak was volunteering with at the time.

“I knew that would be a great help to them,” Parak acknowledges. “Donations to women and children are always my first choice.”

Tina Pickle is another long-standing member of 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex.

She joined because she wanted to support people in need in the community and the organization’s vision was exactly that.

According to Pickle it is a truly inspiring partnership and choosing one donation story to highlight would be difficult.

“Every story/request for help has touched our hearts in many ways,” she mentions. “It can be very difficult at times to choose just one of the three choices to receive the assistance that day as they are all special in their own way.”

Pickle is grateful the group was still able to support the community and its increased need for help during the pandemic. She hopes the organization continues to donate to those in need and continues to grow.

“The more women who care, the more support we can provide,” Pickle expresses.

REALTOR Manor Windsor Realty Ltd. Brokerage The Legal Edge Team Jan Smith

Teacher (Retired) and Travel Agent Magic Carpet Travel

Jan Smith joined the second meeting after her sister extended the invitation and ended up inviting two friends of her own.

“Being a part of 100 Women Who Care quickly became an important part of my life,” Smith points out. “I have always been proud to participate in an organization whose sole purpose is to give back to our community.”

Now, 10 years later, she has lost her sister and one of those friends, but continues to participate.

“It is very rewarding to me to know that our group has donated to both of the foundations that support research into the causes of their deaths,” she says.

Smith also likes seeing the impact the donations make overall.

“Giving my $400 donation on an annual basis is not difficult when I realize that, as a group, we are donating over $40,000 annually,” she states. “I love the concept that makes this

possible and I remain committed to the idea that we can make a difference by working together.”

Betty Ann Valente

Associate Wealth Advisor (Retired) RBC Dominion Securities Sechopoulos Valente Group

Betty Ann Valente has also been with the group since it started in Windsor after joining as a way to give back to the many great organizations in the community.

“There are so many charities that I didn’t even know existed,” she mentions.

Numerous local organizations have touched her heart as they share stories of helping so many people.

Valente does enjoy that she gets to go to some of these charities to see what they are all about, such as learning about Sleep in Heavenly Peace at a meeting and then joining them on a build day.

As a recent retiree, Valente is looking forward to volunteering with one of the new organizations that she has learned about at their meetings.

From left: Douglas Marketing Group’s Liz Farano and Kay Douglas, with Marilyn Beckham (charity contact) and Maureen Lucas, present a cheque for $10,000 to Forgotten Harvest Canada, the charity with the most votes, by 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex members at the second meeting held by the group in May 2013. Photo courtesy of Maureen Lucas.

The Power Of Four Hours And $400 A Year

So what is the best way to sum up everything you have just read about 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex?

“It’s about the powerful joy of giving to others,” says Maureen Lucas, but adds it’s also about what she calls “the efficiency and smartness of women. We don’t have a lot of time and we don’t have a lot of energy, so we’ve made an organization where they can show up, hear about the charity, write their cheque, and go home. It’s all done in one hour and we never go over.”

As mentioned, the total commitment from each woman is four hours and $400 a year.

Respecting that simple format means our community will benefit for another 10 years.

The latest charities to receive a donation were Gesstwood Camp & Education Centre (May 2022) and Life After Fifty (August 2022) . . . who will be next?

To learn more about this incredible group, nominate a charity, or see a list of past recipients, visit their website: 100WomenWindsor.com.