STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
With snow around the corner, 100 Men Who Care are considering making donations to Rotarun Ski Area.
The grassroots philanthropic group will hear from representatives of the Learn to Ski and Ride Program at Rotarun Ski Area, the Blaine County Education Foundation and Hospice of the Wood River Valley during their 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, meeting at The Community Library in Ketchum.
Before these presentations, they will hear from Jim Foudy, superintendent of the Blaine County School District, and Mark Davidson, executive director of the Blaine County Recreation District, both of whom have levy proposals on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The Rotaripper program at ROTARUN SKI AREA, a few miles west of Hailey, is heading into its fourth season, according to Scotty McGrew, executive director of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. It provides ski and ride programs for minority, first-generation skiers and lesser served children of the community. Donations from 100 Men will support the operating infrastructure, equipment, staffing and administration of the program.
The BLAINE COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION, which will be represented by executive director Deb Van Law, was founded in 1992 by Len Harlig, Trina McNeal, Ritu Shivdasani, Jim Lewis and Mike Chatterton. Since, it has provided more than $5 million worth of funds and equipment to students, teachers and schools, with donations covering such things as free school meals for students experiencing food insecurity and backpacks full of supplies for students who can’t afford them.
Other programs include the Can Do fund, which offers financial assistance so students can purchase football uniforms to participate on the football team or travel assistance to such things as robotic competitions and student business conventions. It also hosts a scholarship fair each year for Blaine County’s graduating seniors.
The HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE OF THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY provides services at no cost, even though its budget for end-of-life care clinicians and other operational expenses has increased 72.5 percent since 2022. The organization is looking to bring on a board-certified medical director to provide support for the nursing team and the 70-some patients the organization assists every year.
According to executive director Alli Collins, the group wants to revamp its website to improve accessibility and online giving capabilities and create an awareness campaign.
The meeting is open to all men living in or outside of the Wood River Valley. Each man contributes $100 or more to any or all of the groups making pitches.
100 Men Who Care is wrapping up its 13th year of quarterly meetings. With this meeting, the group will have given cash gifs exceeding $700,000, according to Marty Lyon, who founded the organization.
Those who wish to make a donation but cannot attend the meeting may mail checks to Lyon at 106 Red Cloud Way, Hailey, ID 83333. For more information, visit https://www.100menwhocarewoodrivervalley.com/.