b'ONE HUNDRED MENMAKING A BIG DIFFERENCEBy Alicia Wanek Tmight not have a charter, or officers, or a visiona nonprofit, and three are identified to present to the group. After hey statement.They do, however, certainly have a vision a45-minutemeetandgreet/happyhour,thenonprofitshave to make an impact in the North Texas community bya few minutes to explain what they do.The presenters leave the supporting nonprofits doing great things.When Davidroom for a few minutes, and the men vote.The winning charity is Rowe and Steve Wentz came together three years ago to form 100announced, and each man writes them a check for $100.Recipients Men Who Give a Damn in Frisco, they believed that by pullinghave included Heart of Autism, Living for Zachary, and the Taylor together a group of like-mindedHooton Foundation, among many men they could make a difference.others.Hereshowtheformulaworks:Steve recalls their first meeting in 100 Men + $100 each +1 Hour =early 2017.The selected charity, an $10,000 for 1 charity and a hugeIf you ask me what ImorganizationcalledBestBuddies, impact on the community. whichcreatesopportunities Stevehadbeeninvitedtomost inspired by, it wouldforadultswithintellectualand participateina100Mengroupdevelopmental disabilities, received inDallasyearsagoandinvited$10,000.The next day, when David a friend to join him.His friendbe the members who havecalled and asked Steve how he felt leaned over and said, You knowithadgone,Steveadmittedhe we could do this in Frisco.As henot stopped at just writingcouldnt stop thinking about the two thoughtaboutit,Stevebecamedeservingcharitiesthatwerenot evenmoreconvincedthathea check but have alsoselected.Now, they work to ensure could touch people right where hethateachofthosewillreceiveat lives by forming another chapterleast $1000 as well. Oftentimes, the further north.It turns out Daviddevoted their personaldonation doesnt stop with a check was thinking the same thing.Theeither.David says, If you ask me twojoinedforces,andastheytime by volunteering towhat Im most inspired by, it would come up on completing their thirdbethememberswhohavenot year, they expect to have donatedsupport the organizationsstopped at just writing a check but $150,000tolocalcharitiesthathavealsodevotedtheirpersonal touch Collin and Denton counties. time by volunteering to support the At first, the men pulled theirthat have presented. organizations that have presented.Rolodexes together, as Steve says,SteveandDavidareconstantly and started to come up with a list - David Rowe inspired by what they see and hear ofprospectivemembers.Whatfrom these amazing organizations. theyultimatelydecidedwastoWhenyouliveinaplacelike inviteasmallergroupandaskFrisco and see the growth, its easy them to invite friends, neighbors,not to realize that there are people or coworkers they felt would also be inspired to participate.Theirwho have fallen on hard times. Frisco is seemingly booming, but first meeting had over 95 attendees, and its been growing ever since.people have real problems and need help.Both men remember Former Frisco mayor Mike Simpson attended one event and askedone especially touching moment.A young woman from the Boys Steve, How did you get this many people here?Steves response?and Girls Club of Collin County stood up in front of this room full It was easy. Each quarter, members of the group can recommendof men and asked them to imagine a young girl who had had her 20GoodLifeFamilyMag.comNOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2019'