- December 14, 2025
Since the Volusia County Women Who Care group was formed at the end of last year, the members have raised around $20,000 to put toward different 501c3s serving Volusia County.
The group of around 60 women meets every quarter when they each submit the name of a charity, non-profit or other philanthropic organization, draw three names then vote on which 501c3 they will each donate $100 toward.
The VCWWC has also been assisted by the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, which currently matches 50% of all funds raised at the quarterly meetings. Smith said the goal for 2018 is to reach a membership of 100-plus women giving $100 to equal $10,000 plus the $5,000 match for a total of $15,000 investment in the community.
In addition to donating money to assist people, the group's purpose has brought to light the various needs in Volusia County.
Conklin Center
Teresa Smith, the group's founder, said any time names are drawn, there is a presentation about the organization and what the money will go toward. One agency selected was the Conklin Center for the Blind in Daytona. The group's donations went toward renovating a residence at the facility that would assist the visually impaired with navigating day-to-day activities, including the home and work environment.
"Sometimes you don't know what synergies are going to be created," Smith said. "Sometimes you don't know who will be impacted."
According to the center, 70% of working age adults within the U.S. are blind.
Health Insurance
Volusia Volunteers in Medicine, which provides health care for the working uninsured and underinsured, has also been a recipient of the Volusia Women group.
In Volusia County, the number of people under the age of 65 without health insurance is 14.8% while in Port Orange that number jumps to 16%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The same report shows that in Ormond the number increases once again to 17.9% and to 23% in Daytona Beach.
Children and families
Most recently, donations went to Florida's 7th Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem program, which was set up to assist children who are going through a court proceeding. The VCWWC raised more than $9,000 for the program, which covers Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties.
Smith said when she had been speaking with a woman who was present when the donation was made she found out that one of the program's offices in Daytona Beach had been destroyed during the hurricane forcing workers to operate out of a small space.
"There are 17,000 kids in the Circuit 7 area that they are providing services for," Smith said. "The funds are being used for volunteers that go to court and help the kids, or to pay for their gas, or if they need something like food."
