At 100 Women Who Care's second meeting, held Oct. 8­th, they presented their members' checks, totaling $3,700, to the Theresa Academy of Performing founder and president Susan Russo and her husband Vincent. Event highlights included: * Russo recalled her daughter, Theresa's short life and the impact it had on her family. * Why they formed the Academy - to touch the lives of special needs children through workshops and programs of enrichment support. * Have supported "All-Island Handicapped Sports," disabilities awareness programs and horseback riding. * Most recently they have made a special effort to support art programs for special needs children. The monies donated will be used to enhance their Saturday Respite program, the only arts-based Saturday Respite Program in Nassau County specifically created for children with special needs. Then it was down to business to learn about three more qualified charities and vote on the next charity who would receive their members' donation. The organization's members chose the Hospice Care Network as their next charity. The Hospice Care Network will be presenting on how they will use 100 Women Who Care's $6,000 donation at the next meeting - January 14, 2014! The Hospice Care Network's mission is to enable people to live in peace and with dignity in a caring environment during the final stages of life by offering care and comfort both to them and to those with whom they share their lives. They develop and provide individualized programs of care and supportive services during dying, death and bereavement that enhance quality of life by addressing physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs. The vision of the Hospice Care Network is for people living with advanced illness to have a meaningful experience - one in which they have the time to have meaningful conversations with friends and loved ones - because every day counts. The Hospice Care Network is a not for profit healthcare organization serving people and families in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens. Hospice Care Network has been helping people since 1988. As a member of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, Hospice Care Network is committed to the highest quality of care. 100 Women Who Care about Long Island is a new philanthropic group formed for local women who are interested in supporting our communities by contributing to Long Island charities together as a group to increase the donation impact. As individuals it is difficult to make a very large impact, but as a group they have the ability to contribute to the growth of their communities in ways that they never before thought possible. The size of their quarterly donations is limited only by the members they have! Their next meeting is Tuesday, January 14, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Jewel Restaurant in Melville (on Rte. 110 at the LIE). After the meeting they invite you to join them for some socializing and networking. There will be complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar available. Please visit their website, www.100wwcli.org, to join and nominate your favorite charity online. If you require further information, please contact Dawn Carlson at [email protected]