Seventeen women came together for the quarterly 100+ Women Who Care meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at The Woodward Opera House. A total of $14,500 has been awarded since the group's start in October of 2022.
“Our goal is to become a group of over 100 women and we’re moving toward that. We are reimagining local giving through this giving circle,” explained founding member Marty Bell. “It’s powerful and educational. I’m learning about organizations and resources I didn’t even know existed in Knox County.”
The group learned about three Knox County nonprofit organizations that were nominated by the members for funding consideration. They included PELIA Equine Therapy (who received the group's first-ever award in Oct. 2022) and Community Roots, and . After a membership vote, it was determined that PELIA would receive this quarter’s funding of more than $2,000.
PELIA is a community program for at-risk youth. No child is ever turned away from this equine therapy program. Leaders teach the youth to properly handle and care for the horses. Some ride; some don't. They offer summer camps and are in the process of building an indoor arena so the program can run year-round. Located in Danville on 11 acres, PELIA works with the Knox County Juvenile Probation as well. They work with children ages 4-21 and also provide 4-H horses for kids. PELIA provides all transportation for the horses, riders, and equipment. Kids earn their way by doing chores, cleaning out the barn, etc.
Community Roots, which began in 2017, focuses on being green, reducing waste and better standards of our land earth, and community. They plant food in a community area. It is an all volunteer farm with a school site. They are currently working on "hoop houses" to extend the produce growing season. Also working in the old Glass Garden Greenhouse on the west side of Mount Vernon and working on a composting program. Students come in an flip the composting. They have worked with the KCCC program and also with Boy Scouts. They have many educational resources available along with a community kitchen where they can prepare the food they have harvested.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 9, in The Woodward Opera House, with social time at 6:15 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m.
Learn more or register to be part of 100+ Women Who Care by visiting following the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/100womenknox. If you have questions, contact president Marty Bell at 100womenknox@gmail.com.
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