By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
“What a blessing.”
Those were the words of Joanne Riley after a new Canadian County philanthropic foundation presented her non-profit agency with a most generous gift – one even larger than first expected.
Members of Power of 100 Canadian County on Oct. 30 delivered their first quarterly donation – totaling $12,765 – to Compassionate Hands of Yukon.
“This makes me so happy,” said Riley, Compassionate Hands’ director. “We had to postpone five major fund-raisers this year due to COVID, so this couldn’t come at a better time.
“We were just so fortunate to receive this from Power of 100 Canadian County. What an incredible group of women.”
Compassionate Hands serves Yukon-area residents in temporary crisis by helping with rent, utilities and personal items.
The ministry, which started in 1994, operates two accessible vans that provide transportation for seniors and residents with disabilities to medical appointments and personal errands.
“This generous donation from Power of 100 will assist our neighbors in crisis to pay their rent, utilities and medications, while helping provide transportation to our seniors and people with disabilities,” Riley said.
Compassionate Hands was selected after nine Canadian County nonprofits were nominated for a Power of 100 “Hope Award.” Compassionate Hands was nominated by two of its longtime volunteers, Jaquita Icenhower and Alycia Barry.
146 … AND COUNTING
Power of 100 Canadian County is a group of generous women who pool their resources four times a year to donate at least $10,000 to a selected charitable cause. Membership now stands at 146 and more women are welcome to join.
The Canadian County group already is larger than the Oklahoma City chapter, co-founder Tammy McKee proudly noted.
“This has exceeded our expectations,” McKee said.
Members of Power of 100 Canadian County nominate their favorite Canadian County non-profits, and the names of three charities will be drawn from those nominated each quarter.
At the Power of 100’s quarterly meeting, members hear five-minute presentations about those three groups and then vote on which will receive that quarter’s large donation.
By pooling together their $100 donations each quarter, Power of 100 Canadian County members make a larger impact than they would otherwise.
“It’s simple, it’s meaningful and it’s powerful,” co-founder Anita Bishop said.
Power of 100 Canadian County meets four times a year, also providing a “fun ladies night out” for members. The next meeting is Jan. 11, 2021 at the Palace Event Center, 2310 N Banner Road.
Membership is open to all women, but recipients must be nonprofit 501c3 charities in Canadian County.
To learn more, visit Powerof100cc.org or email info@powerof100cc.org
