100 Plus Foundation celebrates 10 year anniversary Sunday

By BRUCE WALTON

bwalton@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Anna Hardin, founder and president of 100 Plus Foundation, said she still remembers why she and five other women banded together in 2007 to create the foundation: the love they have for the community.

For a decade, the foundation of passionate women has made a difference here with a core purpose of love, understanding and support for local organizations, groups and individuals in any way they can.

“We think alike, we love people, we do for people, and so with that, this is what happened,” she said.

The foundation started having no money, grants or outside help and using money gathered through donations and sometimes their own pockets to serve individuals and groups in need. The 100 Plus Foundation will celebrate that notion for its 10th year anniversary at the Heavenly Place Church of God in Christ on Katherine Avenue at 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free,

and the church can seat 450 guests.

The celebration also will honor 14 women who the foundation considers trailblazers in their community.

“They have blazed a trail for the younger women to follow,” Hardin said. “They have done so many outstanding things in life. ...

Everything they’ve done in life is all positive, and that alone is worth this.”

Each honoree will receive a plaque inscribed with a salute and appreciation for their hard work and community effort. One of the honorees is Bobbie Jean Jackson, one of the founders who has worked and provided the location for the foundation for years at the Heavenly Place Church with her husband, Stafford Jackson, the church’s pastor.

“I was surprised, but I’m very honored and humbled from the whole thing because whatever I do for people or of people I expect nothing in return,” Jackson said.

In another 10 years, Hardin hopes the organization can become a larger organization with chapters in other locations in cities and states across the country and find a permanent location. She also hopes 100 Plus Foundation can reach its goal of having 100 members very soon, which it is very close to at the current count of 85.