100+ Women Who Care of Effingham County selected Harmony Playground as the recipient of a $12,500 donation Thursday night in the Auditorium at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Effingham. 100+ Women Who Care Co-chair Karen Etter said that Effingham County is just one of 350 chapters globally. Effingham County Women Who Care has 125 members. Etter said that each member pays yearly dues that support the group’s charitable giving.
Any members can nominate, and speak on behalf of, Effingham County non-profit groups. Although, they must be local and any money donated by the group must be used locally. During their quarterly meeting, three organizations, from those nominated, are chosen randomly. Each member who represents the chosen groups has five minutes to make a case as to why their group deserves the money. The rest of the members then vote on who will receive the donation. The three organizations selected at Thursday’s meeting were the Family Life Center, in Effingham; FISH of Effingham County, in Effingham; and the Harmony Playground. The recipient of last quarter’s meeting was Meals on Wheels. The donation allowed them to return to a five day schedule of proving meals to seniors in need.
Jami Ludwig, who represented Harmony Playground at the meeting, said that the donation means a lot.
The Harmony Playground is an all inclusive, ADA accessible space that children and adults with disabilities can enjoy. The playground will be constructed next to the Workman Sports Complex in Effingham. The project is currently in fundraising stages and has raised almost $300,000 of its $700,000 goal. It will be one of only 100, or so, in the country. The playground will feature special equipment and a pavilion with an ADA accessible restroom. Ludwig said that things are moving quickly and the project is going well.
The 100+ Women Who Care of Effingham County is part of the Effingham County Community Foundation.