Friends wins $10,000 grant from 100 Who Care of Ashland and Bayfield Counties

Jeff and Jill Rennicke holding giant check from 100 Who Care of Ashland and Bayfield Counties

July 16, 2025

Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is honored to receive $10,000 from the local civic group, 100 Who Care of Ashland and Bayfield Counties. Group members chose to support Friends following a presentation by our Executive Director Jeff Rennicke. He outlined how we would put $10,000 to good use, enhancing boater safety with the Wave Watch program, bringing history to life with our lighthouse gardening volunteers, offering scholarships for individuals with accessibility needs through our new Access Opportunity initiative, and inspiring the next generation of Lakeshore lovers through the Junior Ranger program.

The local 100 Who Care group was founded and is hosted by North Lakes Community Clinic, which operates a variety of healthcare clinics in 19 Wisconsin communities. The Ashland and Bayfield Counties group is modeled after the national 100 Who Care Alliance movement and the idea that when combined in a giving circle, one hundred relatively small $100 donations can make a big difference.

This video further explains how the process works, and how much participating non-profits appreciate the generosity.

Members nominate agencies in three categories: Art / History / Literacy / Museums,  Environment / Animals / Garden / Recreation, and Social Services.

They  learn about local community needs during 5 minute presentations by the top nominees in each category followed by Q and A sessions and then vote to collectively decide where to direct their donations.

Members gathered this week at Wild Rice Retreat of Bayfield to hear presentations from the top three organizations nominated in the environmental, garden and recreation category: Friends of the Apostle Islands, the Washburn Meditation Center and Helping PAWS Pet Rescue, Inc.

100 Who Care of Ashland & Bayfield Counties event at Wild Rice Retreat

Members gathered to hear three presentations, then vote – 100 Who Care photo

Members voted to give Friends $10,000. The Washburn Meditation Center and Helping Paws Pet Rescue received $1,750 each. Friends Executive Director Jeff Rennicke says, “The best recognition is local. Thank you to the folks at 100 Who Care Ashland & Bayfield Counties for recognizing the efforts of the members, volunteers, and staff of Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.”

 

Checks presented at 100 Who Care of Asland and Bayfield Counties event at Wild Rice Retreat

Ceremonial checks presented to the nominees – 100 Who Care photo

Rennicke says, “We were honored to be nominated along with the Helping PAWS Pet Rescue and the Washburn Meditation Center and we are honored to live and work in such a supportive community.”

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