100+Women Who Care Androscoggin delivered checks totaling $5,600 on May 31 to the YWCA in Lewiston. From left are Marty McIntyre, founder of 100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin; Melanie Lamore Gagnon, executive director YWCA of Central Maine; and Holly Lasagna, YWCA Board member and member of 100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin. Submitted photo

LEWISTON — On May 6, 100+Women Who Care Androscoggin held its second fundraising meeting at meeting at the YWCA and voted to support the Summer Camp program of the YWCA of Central Maine with their donations. The checks, totaling $5,600, were delivered to the YWCA on May 31. Because of this donation, the program is also eligible for a 50% matching grant from the Richard M Schulze Foundation.

The mission of the YWCA is to eliminate racism and empower women. They offer several signature events, ongoing programming, and enrichment classes that emphasize community building through youth and adult empowerment, prioritizing the voices of women and girls of color, and supporting inter-cultural exchange and solidarity, according to a news release from Marty McIntyre, founder.

The summer camp program provides 10 weeks of fun and enriching activities for 80 children ages 5-12 in the community. Each day children are served a healthy and culturally appropriate breakfast, lunch and snack. 90% of the campers need financial assistance. Subsidies cover 70% of the cost of camp with the other 30% provided by grants, donations and from their operating budget. The YWCA never turns away a family who cannot afford the cost of camp.

100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin is a collaboration of local women who seek to invest in the community by pooling their donations for the greatest impact. They meet four times a year. Members can nominate organizations or projects that are working to address community needs. At each meeting they hear about 3 of the nominated organizations and then vote for one group to receive their donation. The members then write a check to that organization, and within a few weeks all the checks are delivered directly to the organization chosen.

To join or to get more information about 100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin, email 100womenwhocareandroscoggin@gmail.com.

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