100 Women Who Care: Quietly Giving In North Central Connecticut

NORTH CENTRAL CT — A group of businesswomen and activists from throughout North Central Connecticut has been quietly donating funds to unique organizations throughout the region.

Meet 100 Women Who Care. The organization has members from nine area towns and meets on the fourth Tuesday in the months of January, April, July and October. Meetings generally begin at 6:30 p.m.

It's the regional chapter of a national concept.

"The idea is to become a significant player in helping the community," area 100 Women president Audrey Wasik of Somers said. "It's collective giving. No member has to give more than $400 in a year, but, as we give, the significance of the group grows."

And the latest donation was truly significant.

The Connecticut Restaurant Association's philanthropic charity, the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation, was the recipient of a $2,700 donation for its Employee Relief Fund from 100 Women Who Care. The special fund was established to provide emergency funds to unemployed hospitality workers throughout the state. Since April 1, when the coronavirus restrictions really kicked in, more than 900 requests for awards have been received from all counties, Wasik said. There are an estimated 160,000 employees serving 8,500 restaurants in the state that have been impacted by the restrictions, she said.

It was the first statewide donation.

Scott Dolch, the executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, was grateful for the help.

"We greatly appreciate this needed support and are honored to be the first statewide organization to be selected to receive donations from 100Women Who Care – North Central CT," he said. "Our restaurants and hospitality employees were hit hard in March, when nearly 50 percent were laid off due to Covid-19. Many are still unemployed as restaurants, caterers and bars are still not back to full capacity. This grant will help to ease their struggles and we know they are beyond grateful to be thought of during this time."

After a "pandemic pause," 100WWC resumed its activity (via zoom) and selected the statewide charity, "primarily because it directly impacts lives of those affected by COVIID-19," Wasik said.

The group is part of a national effort to have "an immediate, direct, and positive impact by assisting worthy not-for-profit charities."

The concept is simple. Women come together four times a year for one hour to choose a charity. Each member writes a $100 check directly to the charity selected. With more than 600 chapters worldwide, including three others in CT, the model has "proven to be successful with minimal effort on the part of busy women to collectively make a significant impact in their communities," Wasik said.

Another member is Julie Clay, a Vernon Town Council member who also owns a longtime family business in Manchester.

"I like the fact that many women, as a group, have a larger monetary impact on helping a non-profit organization meet its needs," she said.

Women interested in joining can inquire via e-mail at 100Women@cox.net.

Other groups receiving donations include:

• The Network Against Abused Women – Enfield Area (October 2018)
• Enfield Safe Harbor Warming Center (January 2019)
• Strong Family Farm - Vernon (April 2019)
• Today I Matter – Ellington and area and throughout the state (July 2019)
• Abby’s Helping Hand - East Windsor and the area (October 2019)
• Hartford Bags of Love (January 2020)
• Shag Bark Hickory Farm – East Windsor and the area (October 2020)