DuPage County women show the power of $100

The concept is simple enough: Get 100 DuPage County women together, have each write a $100 check and let the group vote on which local charity will receive $10,000 worth of goodwill.

That's the idea behind 100(+) Women Who Care, a fledgling group started earlier this year by Wheaton resident Sally Wiarda.

When the organization has its fourth meeting next month, it will surpass $40,000 in donations to DuPage County charities.

In just the last year, the volunteers have helped fund two groups that help provide medical care for sick kids and subsidized a group that provides housing to poor, single mothers.

"The beauty of what we do is it's not like traditional fundraising," said Mary Dickson, a Wheaton attorney. "Nobody is soliciting anyone for money, and within 45 minutes (of the quarterly meetings) we can make a difference in somebody's life."

Among the recipients of the charity effort is Frankie's Fund, founded by Winfield resident Liz Severino. The small charity, which assists area families struggling to pay for medical care for their children, was created after Severino's son was born with autism.

Dickson learned about Severino's efforts through a newspaper article and nominated her to receive the group's gift this past summer.

"That was the largest donation we've ever had," Severino said of the $10,000 donation. "It shows the power of the press."

Severino still has about half the money stored away in a bank account. The rest was spent on a variety of medical services for clients, including many single mothers who live or work in DuPage County.

Outreach Community Ministries received $10,000 to pay rent and upkeep of two apartments the Wheaton not-for-profit operates for at-risk mothers.

"The donation was helpful for a number of reasons," said Outreach Community Ministries Executive Director Chris Ellerman. "We now have another 100 women who know about our work, and they're helping another group of women who need it."

Members of 100(+) Women Who Care will meet to pick another recipient of their charity efforts Nov. 11 at the Holiday Inn in Carol Stream.

Some of the local donors, among them lawyers, nurses, teachers and stay-at-home moms, hope more women will join their cause.

"By this time next year we'd love to have 200 women who care," said Pamela Fenner, a Carol Stream trustee and area businesswoman. "It's just so inspiring when we hear right away what our efforts accomplished. I think the enthusiasm will still be there for the coming year."

For more information about how to join or donate to 100(+) Women Who Care, contact Wiarda at (630) 682-3355 or e-mail her at 100womenwhocare@comcast.net.