STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Wood River Valley nonprofits were collectively made $156,400 richer during 2025, thanks to the generosity of those involved in 100 Men Who Care.
The men who donate $100 a quarter to select nonprofits bestowed $7,500 on Rotarun Ski Area during their October meeting. They gave $9,250 to the Blaine County Education Foundation, and they donated $12,600 to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley.
In total: $29,350.
The organization has donated $724,750, or nearly three-quarters of a million bucks, since it was founded in 2013.
“We had a fantastic year—and a record-breaking year--in our 13th year supporting 10 nonprofits,” said Marty Lyon, who founded the philanthropic endeavor.
100 Men Who Care will embark on its 14th year on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Hailey Town Center West, 116 River St., near the Hailey Public Library. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. and give attendees a chance to hear from three recipients who have been nominated to receive gifts during the January meeting.
They are:
THE SPACE, which provides homework support and tutoring afterschool help for Wood River Valley teens. A Forward Learning Scholars program offers middle school students small group or 1-to-1 academic support in English and Spanish, a healthy snack and options to participate in enrichment activities.
Launch offers 1:1 college test preparation support, GED guidance and career advice with a credentialed college counselor. And The Space offers a free six-week program full of academic enrichment activities and community outings during summer. Executive Director Aaron Bronson will make a presentation on the program.
FAR + WISE, offers academic support, mentoring interpersonal skills development and hands-on career exploration for Wood River Valley youth from kindergarten to career.
Its Lewis Scholars program helped achieve a 200 percent increase in literacy scores among kindergarteners, a 167 percent increase in literacy scores among first-graders and a 273 percent increase in math scores among kindergarten- to third graders. And its Cimino Center for Career Exploration served 100 participants during 2025.
Executive Director Sam Herrick will make the presentation.
PROJECT BIG WOOD works to protect and retore the Big Wood River and its tributaries via data, education, advocacy and boots-on-the-ground restoration. Executive Director Amanda Bauman will make the presentation.
To learn more, go to https://www.100menwhocarewoodrivervalley.com/.