(L-R with check) Kelly Hemrich, Tammy Ochs and Donna Spelbring accepted $5,550 from 100 Women Who Care Jasper County on behalf of Jasper County Cancer Support.
Members of 100 Women Who Care Jasper County selected Jasper County Cancer Support as the recipient of the $5,550 contribution collected at its first membership meeting on April 7 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Newton.
Jasper County Cancer Support was established in 2012 to provide support to Jasper County residents currently undergoing cancer treatments. This fund provides gas or food cards valued at $125 up to four times a year, or a one-time annual donation of $500 in gas or food cards to cancer patients to lessen some of the financial burden associated with cancer treatments. The contributions from 100 Women Who Care Jasper County will go directly towards the cost of gas and food cards, providing assistance to 11 Jasper County residents for a year.
Kelly Hemrich represented the Jasper County Cancer Support Fund at the first membership meeting of 100 Women Who Care Jasper County. Kelly is a breast cancer survivor whose battle nine years ago became her motivation to join this local cancer support cause. Kelly received little support from national programs after filling out several applications. Her gratitude was mixed with frustration in knowing what little support she received would only cover one trip to Springfield for surgery or two trips to Effingham, where she was undergoing treatment. She believes that support from the community is the best way to ensure that other cancer patients don’t feel the same frustration.
100 Women Who Care Jasper County, a program of the Jasper County Community Foundation, will make two more contributions in 2016. The amount of money available will increase as new members join. Members commit to donating $400 annually. The first $100 supports the Jasper County Community Foundation Endowment Fund that will be used to serve future needs for years to come. The remaining $300 is used to support the three nonprofits selected by the members throughout the year ($100 at each meeting). A reduced cost membership is available to younger members at $200 annually ($50 for membership dues; $50 per meeting).
