Oct. 20 Meeting Approaches
Posted by kathy
Hello, everyone! This is a reminder of our Oct. 20 meeting, same time (5:30-6:30 p.m.), same place (McGohan-Brabender). Hope to see you there! If you can’t join us, please send your check so I will have it at the meeting (that’s in our guidelines!)—you can mail it to me, Kathy Banwart, 6730 Yankee St., Dayton, 45459; you can drop it off; you can send it with another member. It counts as your vote, too, you know!
It will be wonderful for you to meet Earl Morse, who founded Honor Flight; he will speak to us about the veterans we are sponsoring on their trips to Washington, D.C. I’ll send the latest directory in the next e-mail but want to get this reminder to you asap so you can send your checks if you’ll be gone. Some have already arrived…THANKS!! Also, please encourage anyone you may know in Columbus to contact Sarah Black, one of our members who is starting another 100(+) chapter there on Oct. 20th. Her e-mail is sarahmckibben@yahoo.com. Let’s all try to help her if we can!! Am looking forward to our meeting and finding out who will be our next recipient. We are making such an impact and I feel we’re all blessed to be able to join together in this way. Thanks for being a part of 100(+) Women Who Care!! Kathy
ACCOMPANYING HONOR FLIGHT AWESOME EXPERIENCE
Posted by kathy
What an honor and a privilege it was for Karen Marhsall and me to experience a day with Honor Flight! Meeting 39 veterans, including two women, and helping them enjoy an incredibly memorable day ending with a heroes welcome at the airport was incredible! It is a day none of us who were there will ever forget.Moments to remember include seeing the immediate connections between the veterans and hearing conversations become more in depth and lively as the day went on—even during the delay at the Baltimore airport enroute home, where it was obvious the band of brothers was going strong. Other moments include watching these loyal old men immediately remove their caps as they sat in their wheelchairs or stood at attention for the changing of the guard; seeing how special it was that a son was his dad’s guardian and a grandson was his grandpa’s; enjoying Howard, 89, who had just gotten married again five weeks ago (”we couldn’t just shack up—we have kids, you know!); being amazed at how alert, interested and interesting they were; laughing with them; listening to how involved some became in their communities; finding out this was not only one of the veterans’ first trip to D.C. but his first flight ever! Seeing how they enjoyed each scheduled event from take off to touch down, with cheers and handshakes and thanks from people at every point was heartwarming! It rained on our parade nearly all morning—but no complaints were heard. Congressman Mike Turner greeted our group before we left the Dayton Airport and right before lunch Senator and Mrs. Dole met with our veterans by the National Monument, along with Honor Flights from Rochester, N.Y., Michigan and California. The Doles were gracious to pose for pix under umbrellas—or not–the rain didn’t deter them either!!—and they spoke with as many veterans as possible.
We gathered one non-Honor Flight veteran into our midst, whose family had brought him to D.C. to celebrate his 90th birthday, just in time for him to meet Senator Dole with us—and the entire crowd sang happy birthday to him! At lunchtime these dear old people sat in their wheelchairs or on folding chairs under a canopy with their box lunches on their laps in an area next to their monument, thoroughly enjoying being a part of such a glorious time while they shared memories triggered by seeing their Memorial.As the sun broke through, other sights on the agenda included Arlington Cemetery, the changing of the guard, the Iwo Jima, Viet Nam and Korean Memorials and the Lincoln Memorial–all available if they wanted. One little girl, seeing all the wheelchairs, was heard to ask her daddy, “Is this a wheelchair race?!” Bette, 88, one of the women veterans, and I skipped Iwo Jima so she could see the Women’s Memorial where we typed her name in the registry to have her military info picture, when she was 23, printed. Showing it to everyone on the bus brought whistles from those old guys!! Everywhere they went, from the Baltimore airport where that local Honor Flight met our guys with cheers and handshakes to each stop along the way brought cheers. Most WWII veterans didn’t have the heroes’ welcome we see pictured in the ticker tape celebration in NY city—ours repeatedly said, “We just wanted to get home and go on with our lives”—and they did, this “greatest generation.”
Well, Saturday night after Honor Flight gave them the day of their lives they had their heroes’ emotional welcome when we landed! Probably 100 people, including a good representation of 100(+) Women members, were cheering, singing “God Bless America,” and shaking the veterans’ hands, thanking them for their service as they walked or were pushed by in wheelchairs. We did a great thing by sending our veterans on this awesome day—and more will go this summer with our donations. Our 100(+) Women group was thanked several times by the director, Jim Salamon, while we were riding the bus and he told the veterans about our group…the veterans thanked us, too. Karen and I feel so privileged and grateful we were able to experience the day. We will never forget the men and women we were so honored to assist and enjoy. Kathy
SCHEDULE FOR 2009 MEETINGS
Posted by kathy
100(+) Women Who Care has one remaining meetings in 2009:
Date: Oct 20
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: McGohan Brabender, 3931 S. Dixie Dr.,
We will meet there until we outgrow their place. You can check here for the location.
Update: TV Presentation; More Honor Flight News
Posted by kathy
Good morning! Yesterday, bright and early, Karen Marshall and I arrived at FOX45 to make the presentation of our 100(+) Women Who Care donation to Honor Flight. We’re so thankful for the opportunity to spread the word about 100(+) Women and Honor Flight!! Fox45 even included video of Honor Flight vets at the memorial, making our TV time impressive! Meeting Earl Morse, Honor Flight’s enthusiastic and engaging founder, Earl Morse, and the board member he brought who will be working with our Dayton connection was enjoyable and inspiring. Am sure you were looking for Karen to make the presentation! As we gathered to prepare for our “moment,” we were told they could only “mike” two of us—I really wanted Karen to be the one but she deferred as she and Shirley felt that Earl and I could tell more about our organizations in our two-three minutes. I feel so bad that Karen wasn’t on (and she looked so fabulous she should have been the one!!) Showing the envelope of 184 checks was the most fun–it really got a reaction! Plus, I explained that Honor Flight should get at least $19,000 in total—when asked by the anchor how many veterans that would send, Earl said about 80. Yes, eighty!!
They now have their own plane so don’t have to charter, which is lowering expenses for each veteran—and they’ll use the plane to fly to all the Ohio cities to pick up veterans. Earl’s goal is to have all of Ohio’s WWII veterans see their memorial, which will mean flying six days a week! It is a wonderful feeling to know how we are helping to make this happen.Here’s more news—at the end of each of the trips to Washington, D. C., Honor Flight encourages area citizens to greet the returning vets in the lobby of the Dayton airport at 10:15—giving them a heroes welcome home. Karen, wearing patriotic colors and waving a flag along with other participants, has been a part of this and says to not miss this opportunity—and to bring your Kleenex!! There’s even a group of four musicians who try to be there, too, playing patriotic music. I’m thinking how great it would be for some/any/all of us who can do this to try to make it to one of the flights we’ll be sending (or any of the flights—it doesn’t matter!).
Here are the dates for the year, so far: April 25th, May 16th and 30th, June 20th, July 11th, Aug. 8th and 29th, Sept. 19th, Oct. 3rd, Oct. 24th, Nov. 7th. Earl said he’d notify us which flight he can designate as being funded from us.
And, the last of the good news is that Karen and I have been invited by Honor Flight to go as guardians on one of their trips and return to our group with firsthand experiences to share. We are thrilled beyond words!
“A veteran is someone who at one point in his/her life wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount of “up to and including his/her life.” Thanks for joining together to help this and all our recipients–and we can hope hearing about this makes other women realize the impact we’re making and inspire them to join us!
Take care–Kathy
$106,000 raised in just 8 one hour meetings!
Posted by Lisa Grigsby
WOW! What a great meeting we had! Last night we chose to help our veterans, with our donation going to Honor Flight, which began in Springfield and has spread nationally. This group takes chartered flights filled with veterans to our nation’s capital so they can see their memorials, as many have never had that opportunity. The all-expenses-paid day becomes one so special that an elderly veteran said, “Even if I get Alzheimer’s I’ll never forget this day!“ Elderly and ill veterans have priority and each goes with an escort to help him. Since they are funded by donations there always remains a waiting list and now more can go because of our donation! Our country is losing its World War II veterans at the rate of 1000 a day so helping to honor them is an honor to us. Two other very worthy causes were presented, Hair for Kids, which is our local version of Locks of Love, and Artemis House, for battered women and their children. Hearing the stories of the other presentations gives us two more places we can help if we are able, plus we can spread the word about all three and help significantly in that way. Being aware of the recent and increased drop in both charitable giving and government funding makes a group like ours vital to our community.
Speaking of significant and vital: our donation from this meeting, which will total over $19,000, brings us to approximately $106,000 in contributions in eight one-hour meetings!! Thanks to Karen Dunigan, the founder of 100(+) Women Who Care, we have such a brilliantly simple way to come together in the aid of those in need in our local area. She told us when we started that “100(+) Women Who Care is exactly that-a group of 100(+) women who care deeply about their community. This donation is intended to make an impact. Our mission and our hope is to provide for those in greatest need. We have strength in numbers.” Karen also told me our
members will feel empowered-and I believe that is true!
Over the months we have lost several members but each time another joins. Last night eight new members gave me their commitment sheets!! That puts us at 192! When I give you approximate totals of money, by the way, it is because some checks may still be out and someone may have decided she can’t continue in our group at this time. Also, I forgot to remind everyone last night if their companies have a matching funds program available to be sure to use it. Like one member told me, this year her $400 will be $800 for the community!!
Marsha Froelich from Clothes That Work read a very touching letter from a client thanking us for contributing money so someone who is a large size like she is can still find clothes which help her dress professionally. This woman has been to prison and is back and is so grateful she has people who will help her on her upward path.
To each of you–thanks for joining together because we know there is much need in our community. We also know that situation will continue and we are blessed to be able to help. Remember what Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world; indeed, it is the only that that ever has.”
Take care–Kathy
Upcoming meeting January 20: Same Time, Same Place
Posted by kathy
When Dayton’s chapter of 100(+) Women Who Care gathers for its next meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20, at McGowan Brabender, 3931 S. Dixie Dr., Dayton, 45439, the resulting donation will put the total of funds provided local charities at the amazing amount of over $100,000! That money was raised in only eight one-hour meetings. All of it stays local and 100% goes to the selected charities suggested and voted on by the membership. Members can see the impact they are making and feel empowered by the changes that result when they join together.
If you aren’t a member and have an interest, read the links on this website that tell the guidelines and provide a commitment form. You can also e-mail Kathy Banwart at lkbanwart@gmail.com or call 937-435-8588. We presently have a membership of 187 and know with every new member another $400, from quarterly meetings each year, will help our Dayton area in these uncertain times.
Come to the meeting, bring a friend, check us out or join now and send in your commitment sheet. If you can’t attend the meeting you’ll get info on the selected charity and can send in your check. Join us in doing good for others without the time usually needed for fundraising. As Margaret Mead has said, “Never douby that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world; indeed, it’s the only that that ever has.”
Meeting Dates for 2009: Jan 20, April 21, July 21 & Oct 20
Latest Recipient Selected
Posted by kathy
We had another eventful meeting—and our newest recipient is the Samaritan Homeless Clinic. It provides medical services to an underserved population and our donation will keep the dental clinic open. Deb Brown, who presented this charity, will represent us when she gives the donation to the clinic. Please send your checks made out to Samaritan Homeless Clinic asap (like, tomorrow!). Mark 100(+) Women on the check and send it to me at 6730 Yankee St., Dayton, 45459.
The other presentations were for Premier Community Health, to help publicize and provide free screening for women’s health issues as a preventative medicine, and Adventures for Wish Kids, to help fund uplifting events, including Christmas gifts, twelve times a year for critically ill children and their families who are at poverty level. This is separate from Make A Wish and it stays involved with the children and their families on an ongoing basis.
If my numbers are correct we’re at 190! It’s so amazing—and I thank you all for being a part of the good 100(+) Women Who Care has been able to do since April, 2007!! I’ve ended the two most recent meetings with this quote from Marianne Williamson: “In every community there is work to be done; in every nation there are wounds to heal; in every heart there is the power to do it.” I thank you for your caring hearts and am proud we have joined together to help others.
Mark your calendars for our next meeting, January 20th, 2009!
183 members choose Life Essentials!
Posted by Lisa Grigsby
We had a wonderful meeting last night, with McGowan-Brabender generously and graciously hosting us. From my hasty count it looks like we have 183 members!!
Our latest recipient, Life Essentials, which had also been presented in October when Daybreak was selected, rec’d the most votes so they will be getting a very significant donation in their mission to help people who would otherwise slip through gaps in community services–those who are mentally challenged and/or elderly who strive to live independently. They offer a way to connect volunteers as Chums, caregivers, and guardians who are needed when difficult decisions need to be made and no family member is available. Sheryl Magro will present the donation after all our checks are in–so if you haven’t sent yours, please make it out to Life Essentials, indicate 100(+) on the check and mail it to me, Stivers School of the Arts and We Care Arts, both also very worthy of our consideration, were also presented.
Linda Kramer from Daybreak told how our donation has been used to furnish
lounges in their newly renovated facility. She is so positive and
enthusiastic about the opportunities the new facility is offering for local
homeless and runaway youth and is extending an invitation to their community open house to be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14. All of our group is invited to attend.
Here’s a quote from Marianne Williamson which I shared at the meeting:
“In every community there is work to be done,
In every nation there are wounds to heal,
In every heart there is the power to do it.”
Thanks for your caring hearts. I’m proud to be partnered with you in this
effort to help those in need in our local area. We are blessed to be able to
give such a significant amount, nearly $70,000 in six one-hour meetings.
Thank you all–Kathy
July 15th Meeting Location Change
Posted by Lisa Grigsby
We will meet on July 15, 5:30-6:30 at McGowan Brabender,
3931 S. Dixie Dr.,Dayton 45439.
basically it is about a block north of the intersection of Stroop and Dixie, on the left side, sort of across from Capital Cleaners. It’s actually just east of the GM plant. (If you aren’t familiar with Dixie in that area it’s one way north and a block over its one way south. THIS part, even tho the address is S. Dixie, goes
north.)
From the south take 741 north, veer over to Dixie, cross Stroop and you’re there.
From the north if you’re coming from 75 get off at the 741 exit, south to Stroop (by the GM plant), turn left and then left on Dixie.
Guess it used to be DP&L’s building-it’s apretty conference room. We will have someone to greet you at the door and direct you down the hall to the meeting room. Looking forward to finding out who will be our next recipient!! (and seeing your smiling faces, of course!)
4/15/08 Meeting- 166 Women Who Care
Posted by Lisa Grigsby
Here’s a quick report about the great meeting we just had-106 in attendance, first of all!! The three organizations presented were:
Stivers School For the Arts- Students in grades 7-12 are provided instruction through one-on-one contact with many of the community’s leading professional and performing artists. Art themes are integrated into the general curriculum. Due to recent budget cuts 30 of the 55 adjunct teachers positions were cut. The Seedling Foundation was established to raise the $180,000 needed to bring back these teachers/artists. The appeal has been made to help raise another $180,000 to fund these positions for the 2008-9 school year.
Clothes That Work provides men, women and independent teens professional attire and coaching on image, to help them make the right first impression on job interviews and to succeed in the workplace. We heard about a young man who had gotten a job and needed clothes for work. He needed a size 19 shirt, a 48 jacket and CTW did not have anything in his size and was unable to clothe him. CTW’s appeal was for a fund that would enable them to purchase clothes to fill in the gaps in inventory for sizes not being donated, so no one who needed clothing would be turned away empty handed.
House of Bread’s new SMART program for students-Science and Math Attract Ready Talent. This recently launched program pairs a chef with 15-20 middle school students to teach nutrition and healthy life styles and incorporating the use of math and science skills while cooking.
Once again the choice was difficult, with Clothes That Work garnering the most votes. Our donation will fund the provision of large-sized clothing for both men and women since there are never enough garments of those sizes. If you weren’t at the meeting and haven’t sent in your check please write it immediately to Clothes That Work, noting 100(+) Women Who Care in the lower left corner, and send it to me at 6730 Yankee St., Dayton, OH 45459, asap!
More great news–as of right now (and I still can’t believe I’ve counted
correctly!) we have………..166 members!!!!! The donation will be for
$16,600 –and there may still be women joining! It is hard to believe only a
year ago this month we had our first meeting, with 54 brand new members and only 35 in attendance. It’s empowering to know we are all joining together to make a real impact in the Dayton area, helping those in need.
Pam Byers from Children’s Hospital spoke with us tonight, giving us examples of how our donation has helped through the needy patient fund. She described how, in the midst of the great fear and trials of having a child critically ill, the needy patient fund has helped with rent, with electric and gas
bills, in any number of ways to take some of the burden off the family.
This was our second donation and in July I will be asking Daybreak, our
third recipient, to give us a report about our donation to furnish two
lounges in their newly renovated space.
Thanks so much–together we are making a difference! Kathy
(don’t forget to send your checks right away!)
Next Meeting: Tues, July 15th from 5:30-6:30pm.