Oceana’s WWC surpasses goal

The Women Who Care of Oceana County (WWC) at its Sept. 9 meeting chose to have each of its now 117 members write $100 personal checks totaling $11,700 to the Oceana Hispanic Center (OHC) in Hart, which seeks to unify the Hispanic community through literacy and leadership.

“I’m in shock,” said OHC board member and acting Director Penny Burillo.  “This is huge. We basically live hand to mouth. We really want to provide leadership training for youth and adults, and this will provide a great boost to our initiative.”

Membership in Women Who Care is open to any woman who pledges to make a $100 personal contribution four times a year to a different organization serving Oceana County. Created in June of 2012 with 53 members, the group numbered 95 two years later.

“But just since last June, thanks to the local media’s coverage of the work we do and our members spreading the word to their friends, our membership jumped more than 20 percent to 117,” said Gina Ferwerda.  “That’s brought our collective contributions in just 27 months to more than $81,000 to 10 nonprofits serving Oceana residents.”

The next meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Open Hearth Grille in Hart. Members don’t have to be present at each of the four meetings per year, but do have to pledge to write a personal check to the organization chosen by those who do attend.  For more information, contact Amy LaBarge at 313-268-2086 or visit facebook.womenwhocare.