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VETO -- More than $4,900 was donated to local nonprofit Kelly's Closet at the 100+ Women Who Care in the Mid-Ohio Valley quarterly gathering on Thursday, setting a new record for the organization.
After a social hour, prize giveaways and speeches by members of three nonprofits in the area, members vote on which organization would receive that quarter's donations.
The group was created one year ago when founder Jessica Huffman reached out to now-administrators Megan Thieman, Danielle Allphin and Angie Reich. She invited them to dinner to discuss the idea of a locally based organization that raises money for area nonprofits.
The first official meeting was last October, in which the Children's Listening Place won $4,625 to further its efforts in the community.
"If I call on members of my community, I can do more," Huffman said.
The three featured nonprofits for Thursday's meeting were The Amputee Center, the Gustke Shelter, and Kelly's Closet. Each organization had a representative speak about their causes and goals, starting with Nancy Miller, the founder of The Amputee Center. The Center was created in April 2021 with the goal of being a physical place where amputees can meet and socialize. The Center also offers free exercise equipment and exercise classes for amputees.
"The number one best thing for an amputee is to meet a peer," Miller said. "If they can do it, I can do it."
Kelsey Cline, a supervisor at the Gustke Center, discussed the emergency shelter for youth in Parkersburg. The goal is to meet emergent needs for residential care and develop plans for continued care for youth who cannot be in their homes.
"Every child with us has had some kind of trauma," Cline said.
The center provides free physicals, eye appointments and dental checkups as well.
"It's a home away from home where I know I'm providing care for kids who need it," Cline added.
Kelly's Closet President Kelly Polinsky runs the Closet with no salary and with the help of volunteers. Polinsky has adopted children and wants to be a resource for youth in the community. Kelly's Closet provides new, like-new and gently used clothing for children in foster and kinship care.
"The mission is to supply clothing, shoes and backpacks to foster and kinship care children," Polinsky said.
Kids can shop for free at the Closet once per calendar month by appointment only in order to protect the confidentiality of the children.
"These kids deserve new," Polinsky added.
Women interested in joining or making donations are encouraged to go to 100womenmov.com or visiting their Facebook page for more information.