Tewksbury’s Collective Giving Circle Invites Residents To Wamesit Lanes

100+ People Who Care Will Host UTEC, Greater Lowell Y, Habitat for Humanity on Dec. 4; AdvisorsLiving and Kyoto will sponsor

Collective giving is taking off. This philanthropic movement empowers individuals to join together, pool their financial resources – in most cases, $100 per quarter – and strengthen their communities by multiplying their giving power. There are more than 2,000 giving circles globally that have engaged at least 150,000 people and given away as much as $1.3 billion, according to GivingCompass. 

The movement has tripled in size in the United States in the past two decades. 

Here in Tewksbury, the local 100+ People Who Care giving circle launched in 2021 under the 100 Who Care Alliance model, which began in 2006 to raise funds for new mothers who couldn’t afford cribs and were losing their infants.

At its first meeting, on June 24, 2021, members donated $10,000 to Alternative House, a shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children. Hidden Battles Foundation and Into Action Recovery also presented and went on to receive the $10,000 award, along with the Tewksbury Community Pantry, HELPIS, Girls Inc., The Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library, Catie’s Closet, Plummer Youth Promise and Lazarus House. 

In the two years since launch, group co-chairs Krissy Polimeno and Brent Conway estimate that members and sponsors have donated close to $135,000.

“Our community is so generous,” said Polimeno. “When we work together and pool our money together, it’s amazing what we can do. The winner takes over $10,000, while the runners up average closer to $1,000. Venues around town don’t charge us for function space, so all funds go to help the groups that help our neighbors.” 

On Dec. 4, 100 People Who Care Tewksbury will meet for the 11th time and give its fourth and final Impact Award of 2023 to one of three nonprofits serving Greater Lowell. The meeting will be held at the tavern at Wamesit Lanes, and AdvisorsLiving and Kyoto Japanese Steak House will sponsor. Wicked Cornhole and Jeanette Waugh provide the “big checks” at cost.

Nonprofits scheduled to present:

Habitat for Humanity Greater Lowell builds strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter in 16 Greater Lowell & Northern Middlesex communities, including three homes in Tewksbury. The group has also completed more than 80 critical home repairs for local seniors, veterans and disabled individuals.

Greater Lowell YMCA goes beyond a pool, exercise classes and fitness equipment. The facility provides childcare for hundreds of children each day in preschool and school-age programs and summer camps as well as swim lessons, sports, dance, art and theater.

UTEC might sound familiar. That’s because this group, which helps equip justice-involved young adults with the life skills needed to thrive, has been contracted by Tewksbury to safely dispose of and recycle mattresses. The nonprofit offers a range of programs to help young people overcome challenges including poverty, gang involvement and unemployment.

These nonprofits were selected by a randomized pickerwheel from about 40 unique groups nominated by more than 110 members. For a full list of nominated organizations, visit the 100 People Who Care website. All sponsors and nonprofits have tables set up to meet with attendees.

Each member or team nominates the nonprofit of their choice and can switch up every quarter if they wish.

“100 People Who Care Tewksbury is honored to support these impressive organizations and help further their missions,” said Conway. “Besides receiving a minimum of $250, these groups have an opportunity to educate future donors and volunteers on their missions and create new partnerships and alliances with other nonprofits, donors, community organizations and businesses.”

All Tewksbury residents are invited to attend the Dec. 4 event with no obligation to join or donate. Should an individual resident, or team of two, choose to join, they may do so at the meeting and immediately nominate a nonprofit for the Q1 2024 pickerwheel spin. 

All members may attend meetings and vote for the nonprofit they believe will make the best use of the $10,000 Impact Award. Members agree to donate $100 per quarter to the nonprofit chosen by the membership; additional donations are voluntary. Members are able to join the group’s Grapevine, put a credit card on file and have their donations deducted automatically.

Most nonprofits leave the meetings with at least $1,000, with $250 of that coming from two generous sponsors, who like members, give directly to the organizations. The 100+ People Who Care board is always looking for sponsors for its quarterly meetings. Member volunteers help with check in, timekeeping and other jobs to keep the meetings, which have a social hour from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and presentations from 7 p.m. to  8 p.m., running smoothly. 

“A big benefit for me is learning about these great nonprofits serving Tewksbury and Greater Lowell,” said at-large board member Jayne Wellman. “Our board vets every organization, checking that they have at least three years of tax returns on file, are in good standing with the IRS and are based within 25 miles of Tewksbury. Members can be comfortable that their donations will do good in the world.”

Residents who can’t make the December meeting can pencil in March 18 at the new 3 Amigos Bar and Grill. For more information on joining the group or sponsoring or hosting an event, please check out the 100+ People Who Care Tewksbury website or Facebook page or email the board.

About 100 People Who Care Tewksbury: The local group launched in 2021 under the umbrella of the national 100 Who Care Alliance and is limited to Tewksbury residents. The group meets quarterly, in March, June, September and December, for one hour and hears from three local nonprofit agencies nominated by members.