By HOI ABC
PEKIN – Pooling resources to help local non profits and other charities made for an eventful night in Tazewell County for a new organization.
The Tazewell County branch of 100 People Who Care held its first meeting this week.
100 People Who Care is a worldwide organization. Founder of the Tazewell County branch, Talena Michels, said when she heard of the idea, it seemed like the perfect solution of wanting to help with little time and limited funds.
The room at the Pekin Library was full with individuals who care deeply about their community. Talena Michels and her team wanted to find a way to help non profits and other charities that call Tazewell County home.
“Everyone’s busy, we all have stuff going on all the time, It’s very difficult to find time to give to the organizations that you want to give your money to or your time to.” said Michels, the founder of the local branch
100 People Who Care embraces the model of speed philanthropy.
“The idea is that you’re able to make an impact on an organization that you care about that’s in your own community and it just takes a little bit of time.” said Michels
People bring a check for $50 to each meeting. The group then accepts recommendations of who to donate to, hears testimonials on three of the nominations that are pulled, and then they vote on where the money will go.
For their first meeting they were able to give $1350 to a growing organization, The Pekin Community Center, helping them to finally find a place to call home.
“It’s personal for me because we’ve worked hard the past couple months to move this project forward.” said Pekin Mayor, Mark Luft who recommended the organization during the meeting, “It’s emotional for me because I know what the people have put into it to make this happen and most of all the purpose of the program and what this will help provide for the members of our community who are desperately in need of this kind of help.”
“It made my heart really full to know that all of these people care and they all want to do something to make things better here in Tazewell County.” said Michels
Their next meeting will take place in June.
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