On Thursday, April 10, people in the Bemidji area will have the opportunity to join more than 100 others in an evening that combines a great social event with a very effective fundraiser.
When 100 people come together to donate $100 each, we raise $10,000, profoundly impacting a nonprofit in our community. In the case of Bemidji, the events have generated more than the original $10,000 goal, a strong statement about the generosity of this community. Equally important is the joyful and festive mood that is felt all over the room during this evening.
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This event will take place at the Fourth Street Lodge, 116 Fourth Street. Doors open at 5 p.m. for a social hour with a cash bar and light appetizers. The evening agenda starts promptly at 6.
This will be our second event at this recently renovated space and we are excited to help with introducing it to so many active community members. The facility is handicap accessible, with an elevator just inside the door.
The appetizers that will be provided during the social hour are being donated by the owners of Pho Bemidji and KIN Asian Market.
Owners Meow and Channy saw the posting on social media and wanted to help support the local nonprofits. Their generous contribution will add to the feeling of celebration that is in the air that evening.
We have found that the women in attendance appreciate the fact that there is no gathering of contact information or registration, no additional fundraising and no pledge is requested. There'' no need for additional volunteering or committing to a future need. This event simply provides a great way to give back right in our own community in a very meaningful way.
When guests arrive and provide their $100, they are given a paper to use as their voting ticket later in the evening to nominate a local nonprofit, giving that agency a chance to win the entire proceeds of the evening.
It is noteworthy that attendees are not required to make a nomination if they prefer. After the event starts, all the nominations are spread out face down and four people are invited forward to select one. A representative from each of the four agencies then has three minutes to talk about the work they do and the service they provide to the community.
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When the presentations are done, all the attendees are invited to come forward and cast their ballot. The nonprofit receiving the most votes is declared the recipient of the entire evening鈥檚 proceeds.
Although it seems like there are several steps and logistics, the entire process is done within an hour. We end the evening with the announcement of the winning agency, the amount of funds raised, and an invitation to join us when we deliver the proceeds to that nonprofit on Monday or Tuesday after the event.
This 100+ Women Who Care evening is the third such event to be held in Bemidji. Our first was held in April 2024 at the Keg N' Cork. The collective giving for the evening amounted to $11,700, with the benefactor being Evergreen Youth and Family Services.
The second event was held in November at the Fourth Street Lodge, raising $14,500 that was contributed to Village of Hope. Both agencies have been so grateful for funds that allowed them great flexibility in how they used the money.
It is important to note that the committee has determined that no one agency may again receive the proceeds until four years have passed. This became an important rule considering we will hold these events only twice a year and we have so many nonprofits in the greater Bemidji area.
An additional rule is that if we are successful enough to have more than 200 contributions in one evening, the proceeds will be split between two agencies. We also want to emphasize that it is easy to contribute to the event, even for people not able to attend in person. People can send their donation with a friend or can connect with one of the organizers before the evening.
Any questions about how to donate can be directed by text or phone call to Kay at (218) 556-3031 or Mary at (218) 760-6277, or to any of the committee members they may know.
