While there weren’t exactly 100 people in attendance, organizers hope the first ever “100 People Who Care” event in Wright City will become the start of a positive tradition.Community members gathered with representatives of several local charities at the Heiliger Building in Diekroeger Park March 16 to learn about the charities and donate to one organization chosen that night.“We have a lot of great organizations that do a lot of great things in our community,” said State Rep. Bryan Spencer, who helped organize the event along with Wright City Mayor Dan Rowden.The goal of the event is for 100 people to attend for an hour and donate $100 each to a charity chosen by the group. Organizers didn’t necessarily expect full attendance at the first event, but hope more regular contributors will become involved as the group continues to meet twice per year.“We are confident that this will continue to grow each time we meet, and that it will meet some very specific and valuable needs in our communities,” said Rowden.At each gathering, three local charities are randomly chosen to inform the group about what their organization does and how it serves the community. Donating participants then vote for which charity they think the money should go to (the winners aren’t eligible for a donation at the next event).Twenty-one participants donated a total of $2,100 on Friday evening. Strong Tower Ranch was the recipient of the donation, which will go toward its horse programs and summer day camps for young people who have challenging life circumstances.Representatives of Wright City Fire Protection District Fire Corps and Wright City Care to Learn also enlightened attendees about what their programs offer.The “100 People Who Care” event was inspired by similar programs that have been successful in other nearby communities, Spencer said. A second gathering for Wright City is scheduled Sept. 14.More information about the three charities:• Strong Tower Ranch is a Christian organization that provides programs for youths in challenging circumstances, including those who have been abused or have an incarcerated parent, or have suffered other kinds of trauma. Those children are mixed with others who pay to participate in the programs.A four-week summer camp is offered at the ranch, along with horse programs in the spring and fall, run by a mostly volunteer staff, said representative Lydia Kaiser.“We use the horses for emotional therapy,” Kaiser said. “A lot of these children who have these traumatic circumstances are not keen on going to therapy. ... But you get them with an animal, and just having a nice time, and use that animal to talk about relationships — now the doors open and their heart opens, and before they know it they’re talking to the person who is there working with the animal with them.”• Wright City Fire Protection District Fire Corps is a group of volunteers who support firefighters with help such as bringing cold water to major fire calls where the heath can be extreme. The group also support educational and safety programs put on by the fire department.Members also volunteer to be ready in the case of disaster situations, said Vice President Sherry Schreiter.“Last year, there was supposed to be this big ice storm. ... We were on call, we were trained, we sat in on the meetings with the chief. We were ready to go to shelters when this ice storm happened,” Shreiter recalled. “Thank God it didn’t happen, but we had to be ready. We had to pack a bag, we had to be ready to be gone a couple days.”• Wright City Care to Learn is a chapter of a larger organization whose mission is to provide funding to meet student needs in the areas of health, hunger and hygiene.This assistance can come in a variety of forms, including meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, glasses and medication. Students have been assisted after a house fire or if their family couldn’t afford certain essentials.“Just last week we purchased a washer and dryer for a family that had just moved out here. It was a single mother who has four children in the district, and she had no way of washing any of their clothing,” said Special Education Coordinator Kelly Brooks.The group does all of its own fundraising, including teachers who provide payroll deductions toward the program, Brooks said.

Representatives of Strong Tower Ranch, a charitable youth horse and summer day camp organization, will receive a $2,100 donation from "100 People Who Care," a new fundraising initiative for local nonprofits. Pictured, from left, are State Rep. Bryan Spencer, Mark Brooks and Lori Brooks of Strong Tower Ranch, Wright City Mayor Dan Rowden, and Lydia Kaiser and Don Kaiser of Strong Tower Ranch. 

Record photo/Adam Rollins

Wright City firefighters and Fire Corps members were present at the "100 People Who Care" event March 16 in Wright City. Fire Corps Vice President Sherry Schreiter spoke on behalf of the organization, which provides support for Wright City Fire Protection District. Pictured, from left, are firefighter Jason Clubb, firefighter Jason Pelton, Schreiter, Fire Corps President Laura Hakenewerth and Fire Capt. Michael Holtmeier. 

Record photo/Adam Rollins

Kelly Brooks, representing Wright City Care to Learn, speaks during the "100 People Who Care" event March 16 in Wright City. Care to Learn aids students with needs in the areas of health, hunger and hygiene. 

Record photo/Adam Rollins