Local women’s group continues dedication to charities with latest donation

By Kirsten Stokes

A group of women who have dedicated their time and donations to local charities for the last 16 years recently added another local organization to their growing list of recipients.

“Thank you for thinking of us,” said Trenisha Thomas, Community Missions coordinator and latest donation recipient. “I’m overwhelmed and my cup is running over just by everyone in the community, but this is a big one.”

In November, donations from 126 members allowed Show Me Women Who Care to present $5,180 to Community Missions for their cold weather shelter. Since 2008, the organization has given almost $300,000 to various causes in Andrew and Buchanan counties.

“We champion for, and we present them with funds,” said Elaine Ingle, Show Me Women coordinator. “Show Me Women Who Care gets no funds, and the money goes directly to the charity.”

The organization meets four times a year to choose from three local charities and present funds to one charity of the groups choice. The latest donation comes at a fitting time for Community Missions.

“And how appropriate with this awfully cold weather that we’ve had,” Ingle said.

Thomas was grateful for the funds because it was used for more than one way to support the expenses of the shelter.

Ingle said she wants to see expansion of the organization so that $10,000 donations can be presented in the future.

“Every day the laundry has to be washed and brought up here by the staff. That’s detergent. That’s the water bill. That’s all of that,” Thomas said. “So there’s all your hygiene needs, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, all of that.”

If you would like to be a part of Show Me Women Who Care, meetings are at 5:30 p.m. on the second Monday of February, May, August and November. The Parish Center at the back of St. Francis Catholic Church has donated their space.

There is a commitment of $25 per quarter and for more information you can email showmewomenwhocare@gmail.com.