STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Three nonprofits beginning with the letter “S” have been awarded gifts from 100 Men Who Care.

Members of the grassroots organization donated $16,400 after hearing pitches during their summer meeting at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden.

The men awarded:

• $4,450 to the Sun Valley Culinary Institute, which is holding its annual fundraiser on Sept. 9 at a ranch in Deer Creek.
• $5,850 to the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, which is holding its annual Walk & Wine + Art on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
• $6,100 to the Salvation Army of Blaine County, which uses its money to address emergency needs for individuals and families in the Wood River Valley.

About 50 men attended the summer meeting, noshing on wine, beer and nibbles provided by Jeff Nelson, Jim McLaren and John Wolcott. Members of the Wood River Orchestra provided music and Lew Griffith, a veteran who will turn 100 in December, told about a nonprofit organization he was involved with in Austin, Texas, that promotes healing in children, young adults who have experienced emotional trauma, abuse and neglect.

100 Men Who Care have now gifted $435,221 to nonprofits in the valley since their first meeting to consider various needs in February 2013, according to founder Marty Lyon.

The next meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Mountain Humane.