A $6,700 donation was given to SLO County Womenade from the San Luis Obispo chapter of 100+ Women Who Care, a group of countywide residents who want to make a positive impact in our county.
100+ Women Who Care meet bi-annually to decide which local charity will benefit from the individual donations of its members. "It's a simple idea: meet, choose a charitable group from SLO County, and each writes a $100 tax deductible check to that organization," said Cathie Orrick, founder of the local chapter. They have previously donated to Heaven Can Wait, Sue's Stars of the Assistance League of SLO, Transitions Mental Health, SLO Food Bank, Atascadero Community LINK, Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. To find out more about this group, call 226-2822 or go to 100+ Women Who Care SLO.
San Luis Obispo County Womenade is a non-profit network with a goal to help families and individuals whose needs are not being met by larger social service or charitable organizations. For example, paying for rent and gas cards so a single mother can remain at the treatment center as her young son struggles with Lymphoma. A severely burned young lady desperately wanted eyebrows after her many surgeries, but Medical wouldn't help. Womenade was able to arrange the needed procedure.
Currently the majority of requests are to help restore water and electricity to families and individuals who have had those utilities turned off.
Referrals come from schools, medical professionals, county health departments, and organizations such as Family Care Network, the Women's Shelter, CAPSLO, and the Prado Day Center. There are no application forms and not much wait time.
"It's a grass root effort," says founder Sandy Richardson. "I send out an email for the requested items. If those items are not donated, then a monthly shopper will purchase them. Requests are filled within the day, two at the most."
Today a young family was going to get their year-old baby returned from foster care, but they had no way to obtain the required items, so Womenade was called. By evening, the family had everything necessary so they could take their baby home the next day.
Since April 2003, hundreds of household items, furniture, clothing, baby formula, and supplies have been donated by more than 250 active members — both men and women — of Womenade. And more than $118,000 in donated funds have gone directly to support those in crisis. If you'd like more information about their quarterly potluck meetings or how you can help, go to SLO Womenade.
