STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

100 Men Who Care recently gave its largest gift ever--$69,350--to the Wood River Land Trust to help the Land Trust purchase the Hailey Hot Springs Ranch near Hailey for recreational use and wildlife habitat.

Nonmembers of the organization, namely women, donated more than $10,000 to the cause after reading about the effort and Ron Greenspan’s matching donation of $25,000 in advance of 100 Men’s April meeting.

The grassroots philanthropic gathering is back again for its Summer Social, during which men will consider three more nonprofits to make donations to, in addition to enjoying wine and nibbles for themselves and guests.

The July meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at the home of Bill and Linda Nicholson at 4 Lane Creek Road in Lane Ranch just south of Ketchum. Men are invited to bring their partners, a snack to share and chairs.

Three nonprofits have been nominated to be the recipients of this meeting:

The Liberty Theatre Company is seeking donations to produce this season’s four live theatre productions, as well as in-school and afterschool theatre education programs. The company is currently offering a highly rated staging of “Waitress: The Musical,” which runs through Sunday, July 13.

The Sun Valley Culinary Institute is seeking donations for its one-year professional culinary school, in which students spend two 10-week periods learning cooking and baking skills and two additional stints gaining practical experience at Ketchum and Sun Valley restaurants.

The Salvation Army of Blaine County is seeking donations to help Blaine County residents who need help with medicine, food, ear and eye care, surgeries, rental assistance, car repair, firewood and utility bills.

Those who cannot attend Tuesday’s gathering but want to donate may send checks for $100 or more to Marty Lyon at 105 Red Cloud Way, Hailey, ID 83333. Checks should be made payable to the name of the organization or organizations the sender is supporting.

THERE’S MORE:

At 10 a.m. Monday, July 14, The Wood River Land Trust is giving 100 Men Who Care a special tour of the Hailey Hot Springs Ranch in Croy Canyon, including the area where the hot springs is located. Attendees will walk a short distance along a flat dirt road. Refreshments will be provided.

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE APRIL MEETING

100 Men Who Care gifted three organizations with $85,200 during its April meeting.

That included the Hailey Hot Springs Ranch donation, which included a $25,000 matching gift by Ron Greenspan and more than $10,000 from community members who are not members of 100 Men Who Care.

In addition to the Hailey Hot Springs project, 100 Men Who Care also gifted two other organizations during the April meeting.

The Wood River Orchestra received $9,050, with a $3,000 match made by orchestra member Richard Inouye.

ARCH Community Housing Trust, which is knee deep right now in building workforce housing at Hailey’s Ellsworth Inn, received $6,300.

An additional $750 was received after these totals were announced.