The History of 100 Women Who Care
The 100 Women Who Care movement began in 2006 in Jackson, Michigan, when Karen Dunigan recognized a need in her community. She believed that if 100 women each donated $100 and gathered for just one hour, they could make an immediate and meaningful impact on a local nonprofit.
At the group's very first meeting, they raised more than $10,000, providing hundreds of cribs for families in need. That simple idea proved that ordinary people, working together, could accomplish extraordinary things.
Today, 100 Women Who Care is part of a growing international movement of collective giving. Across the United States, there are more than 450 active women's chapters, along with hundreds of additional giving circles for men, youth, families, and businesses. Together, these organizations have donated tens of millions of dollars to local nonprofits while demonstrating the incredible power of collective generosity.
Each chapter operates independently but shares the same mission: bringing people together to support the communities they call home. Members gather for just one hour each quarter, hear presentations from local nonprofit organizations, and vote to award one organization a transformational gift.
At Treasure Lake / DuBois - 100 Women Who Care, we are proud to be part of this inspiring movement—helping strengthen Treasure Lake, DuBois, and the surrounding communities one quarterly meeting at a time.
Pam Kristoff - Organizer
Throughout her life, she has been passionate about strengthening the communities where she has lived—volunteering alongside her daughters throughout their school years and extracurricular activities, supporting local nonprofit and community organizations, speaking to community outreach groups, and dedicating hours to volunteer efforts throughout the Cranberry Township and DuBois areas.
After becoming a member of the Cranberry Township 100 Women Who Care chapter, Pam witnessed firsthand the extraordinary impact that can happen when women unite around a shared purpose. She saw how a simple one-hour meeting and a collective gift could transform the work of a local nonprofit and, in turn, change lives within the community.
When Pam and her husband made Treasure Lake their home, she knew she wanted to bring that same spirit of collective giving to the area. She founded Treasure Lake / DuBois 100 Women Who Care in August 2026 with one simple goal—to create an opportunity for women to come together, support local nonprofits, and make a lasting difference close to home.
Pam believes that generosity grows when it is shared. Every member's contribution is important, but together those gifts become something far greater than any one person could accomplish alone.
She hopes this organization becomes more than a giving circle. Her vision is to build a community of compassionate women who inspire one another, celebrate local nonprofits, and create a legacy of generosity that will strengthen Treasure Lake, DuBois, and the surrounding communities for years to come.
Mary Lynn Portzer & Lisa Garred - Leadership Circle
Lisa Garred and Mary Lynn Portzer are proud to call DuBois and Treasure Lake home and are excited to be part of the Leadership Circle for Treasure Lake / DuBois – 100 Women Who Care.
Mary Lynn brings a background in hospitality and sales management as well as a genuine passion for serving her community. When she isn’t enjoying time at the lake on her pontoon, traveling, hiking, or spending time with family, Mary Lynn is often lending a helping hand. She is deeply devoted to her family and is actively involved in her church, where she helps with a variety of projects. She leads the church’s annual nut roll fundraiser and is currently wrapping up the management of a major church hall renovation project.
Lisa brings a background in counseling and a heart for helping and supporting others. She is the proud mother of six wonderful children and an equally proud grandmother. Lisa enjoys working out, traveling, and, most importantly, spending time with her family.
Both Mary Lynn and Lisa are looking forward to being part of Treasure Lake / DuBois – 100 Women Who Care and watching what can happen when women come together with a shared commitment to making a difference. They are excited to help strengthen our community, support local nonprofits, and see the impact that 100 women working together can make.
"When women come together with a shared purpose, remarkable things happen. Together, we aren't just making donations—we're changing lives."