The 100 Women Who Care About Chadron organization holds its annual meeting tonight at 5:40 in the Downtown Plaza at 2nd and Main to pick a local non-profit to receive a $10,000 grant.
Last year, the Circle of Light cancer support program at Chadron Community Hospital won out among 5 applicants, but the Bands on Bordeaux Summer concert series received a smaller grant as well.
Loni Watson, a 100 Women board member, says the idea was brought to Chadron by Cressie Long after her husband, head football coach Jay Long, returned to their alma mater from Black Hills State in Spearfish.
Long says the idea behind 100 Women is simple: a one-night gathering of 100 or more women willing to give $100 to create a $10,000 grant.
Loni Watson says the grant recipient is decided by a vote of those present after a brief presentation by each applicant. She admits being surprised by the vote every year.
In its first 3 years, 100 Women Who Care About Chadron awarded $39,900 to programs that raise suicide awareness, address mental health in schools, provide personal backpacks for foster children, and will bring the Cowboy Trail into Chadron.
Women can join the group as individuals or as a team of up to 4 to split the $100 donation. Membership forms are available online at 100womenofchadron.weebly.com