Tri-Cities 5th Big Give

NICOLE HUGHES AND BABY WILLOW

CLAIRE MARR, KRISTINA DULANEY, ADREINNE OSBORNE, AND BECCA DAVIS

DIANE BARTCHY AND BETH BARTCHY-SMITH

PATRICIA DOWNS, CAROLYN ROCHELLE, JOSIE WATSON, DIANE BRADLEY, AND AMANDA OLSEN

GAIL OLIVER

MOLLY YATES AND WILL CASSELL

WOMEN WHO CARE

TIFFANY HICKMAN AND BECKY RUSSELL HEATHER TILLMAN AND SHELLEY HUBER KRISTINA DULANEY, MICHELLE MATHEWS, AND GENA FRYE

Tri-Cities 5 th Big Give

On Thursday, 14 Feb. in the conference center at Holiday Inn in Johnson City, Tennessee, the Tri-Cities TN/VA chapter of 100+ Women who Care held the 5th event. EVENT COVERED BY RACHEL K. BURRUS

Localized to the Tri-Cities by Becca Davis, 100+ Women who Care allow women to network, learn about great things happening in our community, and make a significant impact together. Over 100 women meet together four times a year to donate $100 each to a local non-profit, which is decided upon by a majority vote.

After a light meal, courtesy of the Holiday Inn and the Abingdon Olive Oil Company, three women from different organizations were given the floor for five minutes each to explain their charity and what they would do with the money if they were to win the check.

The first to present was Michelle Matthews of Adapt to Play. Founded in 2016, Adapt to Play serves to create inclusive and independent play for all by innovating mobility, increasing sociability, and fostering community collaboration for the mentally disadvantaged. With an annual budget of $20,000 and 87 volunteers, the program has served children of the Tri-Cities more than 70 times.

Next came Kristina Delaney representing the organization, Cherished Mom. Cherished Mom was founded in 2018, and has an annual budget of $15,400 and has served over 100 women in Johnson City. Cherished Mom serves to promote awareness and education for perinatal mood disorders and the importance of selfcare to new moms, families, and healthcare professionals and community.

Lastly, Gale Frye represented the Children’s Advocacy Center of Sullivan County. Dealing with the young victims of sexual abuse, the CAC seeks to combat child abuse and minimize trauma by providing and coordinating supportive services to children and their families.

Nicole Hughes, who won the money at the 4th Big Give for her cause Levi’s Legacy: Water Guardians, took the floor while the ladies voted on which charity would receive the money. She held her baby, Willow, on her hip as she spoke about her program and how the check from Big Give had helped. Levi’s Legacy is dedicated to changing the way our culture perceives bodies of water and to erase the stigma associated with drowning.