EFFINGHAM — 100+ Women Who Care of Effingham County gave $10,400 to the FISH Christmas store at their first meeting of 2017. Members of the over one-hundred strong giving circle nominate area non-profit groups and then vote on who receives a donation. The donation pool, funded by yearly dues from members, grows as the organization grows. In 2016, the group gave out $37,000 to three local groups including Harmony Playground, C.E.F.S. Golden Nutrition Program, and S.T.A.R. (Strategic Training and Response).
Molly Bushue, who organizes the FISH Christmas Store, spoke on behalf of the program Thursday night and said that she was honored to be able to plead her case in front of the group. “To be given the opportunity to speak in front of this awesome group of ladies, who care so much about the community, it really is just a humbling experience” Bushue said.
Bushue called participating in the process “humbling.”
The 40-year-old FISH Christmas store provides gifts, winter clothing, and other items to low income families around the holidays. Bushue says that Thursday’s donation will make a big difference. “One of my goals for this year is to provide a box to families to include some of those items you may not think about needing during the Christmastime such as toilet paper, paper towels, shampoos, conditioners, hygiene items, all of those sorts of things.” She is also member of 100+ Women Who Care.
Bushue describes how Thursday’s donation could be used.
Members pay a total of $400 in year in dues with $300 going to the three organizations and $100 being saved as part of an endowment fund.