SHAWANO (NBC 26) — A new grassroots organization in Shawano County is bringing men together to raise money for local nonprofits.
The 100 + Men Who Care organization has chapters across the country. Shawano County's is the first in Wisconsin.
"Shawano is a great community," Jim Meyer, one of the founding members of the chapter, said. "We love to support people, we're just friendly and giving, so the response we've had so far has been great."
The chapter began this year and hosted its second-ever meeting on Aug. 6.
The men get together four times a year to hear presentations from three local nonprofits. Then, they vote on their favorite and the winner gets the pool of money.
Each member pays a $400 due annually; $100 per meeting.
"All the money stays right here in Shawano County," Meyer said.
About 75 men participated in the August meeting, including a local school administrator, Paul Steinhaus.
"It’s a super fascinating collection of people," he said. "It’s kind of a rare thing- this is a broad spectrum of people that are coming together to give back to the community."
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There's already a 100+ Women Who Care chapter in the county, which was formed in 2019 and has since distributed over $350,000 to 50 different nonprofits.
Jeannie Otto was the founding member of the women's chapter, and she helped Meyer start the men's group.
“The best way I can tell you is my heart is happy, and my heart feels like it grows every quarter," she said.
Already, the men's group is making a big impact. At the August meeting, they chose Bridge the Gap as the winner. With a matching donation from a local sponsor, Bridge the Gap received $8,900.
"That was so cool- that's a huge amount of money," Kim Strayer, a certified teacher at Bridge the Gap said.
Bridge the Gap is a non profit with locations in both Green Bay and Shawano County. They offer a variety of programs for kids and adults with disabilities, including alternative schooling, an after-school program and a day program.
They serve any age group — their youngest client is 6-years-old, and their oldest is 50-years-old.
Strayer says the location in Shawano is an important resource to the area.
“There just isn’t access to services in these rural towns, rural communities," she said.
Strayer has built her career around helping children and adults with disabilities.
“These individuals that we work with with disabilities have had a hard road, and yet, they are the kindest, sweetest, most empathetic people that you would ever want to be around," she said.
Bridge the Gap looks to get the clients out into the community as much as possible, especially the teens and young adults.
“So they know they have other stuff to do and they’re not just sitting at home- they know how to be a part of a community," Strayer said.
Strayer adds that affording the excursions has gotten more difficult.
“Funding just keeps getting less and less, because we know, like money is tight everywhere, but going out and doing things keeps costing more and more," she said.
Strayer says the donation from 100+ Men Who Care will make a big impact.
“It was hands down, one of the coolest experiences that I’ve ever gotten to do," she said. “I think other counties need to look into doing this, it is such a positive, uplifting experience.
