By Marisa Dawson
Bennington’s chapter of 100 Women Who Care continued its mission of collective giving during its quarterly event on April 16, bringing together community-minded women to support local nonprofits making a difference.
Three organizations (Bennington Buzz, Bennington TeamMates, and the Nebraska Interscholastic Cycling League) were selected from member nominations to present at the event. Following presentations and a group vote, Bennington TeamMates was chosen as the evening’s funding recipient.
The nomination and selection process is entirely member-driven, said steering committee member Molly Hoge. “Anybody that’s a member of 100 Women Who Care can nominate a non-profit to receive the gift that we vote on each quarter,” Hoge said. “They submit nominations to the steering committee. We make a selection for the three that are at each event, and then the whole membership votes on the recipient that evening.”
Hoge noted that with more than 100 nonprofits connected to Bennington, increasing awareness and encouraging nominations remains a key priority. “If we can let our membership know that we’re looking for more nominations, hopefully they’ll think of something in their network,” she said.
Since its founding, the group has grown steadily, now reaching around 40+ members with a goal of 100, each contributing $100 per quarter to create an impactful gift. “We were blown away by our first giving event and each event thereafter,” Hoge said.
That growing impact was on full display during the evening’s presentations.
Bennington TeamMates, the night’s selected recipient, shared the powerful impact of mentorship through its program, which recently reached 100 active matches between students and adult mentors. Both Hannah Miller (pictured below) and coordinator Megan Detjens emphasized the long-term relationships formed through the program. Miller shared her personal story of being matched with a young mentee, who is now 21 and someone she still meets with regularly today.
“She has become one of the greatest people in my life,” Miller said, recalling her mentee once telling her, “you are probably the healthiest friendship I’ve had in my life.”
Detjens highlighted the structure behind those relationships, explaining that mentors meet weekly with students throughout the academic year, providing consistency, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. “What a privilege it is to be invited into a student’s social circle,” Detjens said, noting that many students either self-nominate or are referred by teachers, counselors, or parents.
Funding for the program stays local and supports not only matches, but also activities for mentors, mentees, and even their families, something unique to the Bennington program.
Following the event, Detjens (pictured below) reflected on the significance of receiving the award. “WOW! What a humbling night,” she said, adding that even past presentations, when not selected, brought valuable exposure. “We have gained Mentors from the platform 100 WWC provides, as well as Mentee interest, which is equally valuable to us.”
Now, with an increasing number of mentees graduating, the funding comes at a critical time.
“What is really cool about receiving this gift now,” Detjens said, “is that we know that we have an increase of the number of Mentees graduating and these funds help us support the Mentee Scholarships that each one is guaranteed when completing our program.”
She emphasized that sustaining that promise is a top priority: “Helping us sustain this promise to them is really important!”
Also presenting was the Nebraska Interscholastic Cycling League, which is working to reshape youth athletics by focusing on inclusion and accessibility. Unlike many traditional sports, the league has no tryouts or cuts, allowing any student in grades 6–12 to participate. Organizers say that approach is key, especially as participation in sports tends to decline with age, often because it’s no longer fun or accessible.
The league focuses on “youth development on two wheels,” said director Bree Campbell (pictured below), creating an environment where students can build confidence, leadership skills, and community connections.
With nearly 300 athletes last year and an expected 350 this year, the program continues to grow. Locally, Bennington’s composite team is also expanding, with participation expected to increase from 14 riders last year to at least 20 this season.
League leaders emphasized their commitment to affordability, awarding $10,000 in scholarships last year and providing 21 loaner bikes to ensure financial barriers don’t prevent participation.
Beyond the numbers, they shared stories of transformation, including a student once told he would never be able to ride a bike, who is now competing at the high school level alongside his peers.
The program also aims to close confidence gaps, particularly among girls, while encouraging all students to stay active and engaged offline.
In addition to the featured presentations, attendees heard from a previous recipient, Bennington Community Theatre, which shared how funds from the January event helped launch its new rehearsal space.
“It couldn’t have come at a better time for us,” said Donna Dahlsten, who detailed how the grant covered essential startup costs, from shelving and costume racks to cleaning supplies and basic necessities.
The event also included additional community-focused efforts, such as collecting donations for the local food pantry, raffling off swag bags and flower bouquets from Empty Nest Blossoms, and highlighting local sponsors and small businesses.
For many members, the appeal of 100 Women Who Care lies in its simplicity and impact.
“To me, this is the easiest way to give back to the community,” said member Krisy Byers. “We do absolutely nothing else but come in and enjoy community and camaraderie, and then we’re still giving back to these great organizations.”
As the group continues to grow, its mission remains clear: amplify local impact, support a wide range of nonprofits, and strengthen the sense of community that defines Bennington.
With each quarterly gathering, that impact becomes more visible: one vote, one gift, and one organization at a time.
