Efforts to restore the historic Merrehope home will be able to move a bit further along after the foundation that manages the historic site and museum on Friday was awarded the 100 Women Who Care of East Mississippi’s Impact Award.

As this year’s impact winner, Merrehope received $5,000 to go into its capital campaign.

“This is a great day for Merrehope,” said Kim Waters, president of the Merrehope Board of Directors.

The foundation, she said, is currently working on its Raise the Roof capital campaign which includes sorely needed roof repairs and other restoration efforts. Phase one of the project is currently underway, she said, and the foundation is getting ready to start phase two.

“This will go into that fund to help us be able to continue that work,” she said.

Kim Waters said Merrehope was initially founded by five women, and now the foundation is the recipient of the impact award from 100 Women Who Care. Both events, she said, show the power of women in the community and what they can accomplish.

“Years ago, in 1968 when the foundation was formed, it was formed by five women,” she said. “So, the fact that we’re getting a gift like this from 100 Women Who Care shows the power of women in our community and what all can be done in our community by women and others.”

Cristin Waters, executive director of the Community Foundation of East Mississippi which is over the 100 Women Who Care of East Mississippi, said the nonprofit is made up of more than 100 women who make an annual donation that is then awarded to organizations in the community.

“So the 100 Women Who Care of East Mississippi, it is a fund under the community foundation. It’s 100 plus women who put in a donation annually, and then they are allowed to nominate, and then we pull a lottery of three nonprofits, and then they are voted on by the members,” she said. “Whoever receives the most votes gets to be the Impact winner.”

The other two organizations drawn in the lottery, Empower Kids and The Spot, did not win the Impact Award, but both received a $500 giving back award to put toward their needs.

A relatively new organization, Cristin Waters said 100 Women Who Care of East Mississippi has only been established for about a year but has already distributed approximately $12,000 in grants to local nonprofits.

For more information about the 100 Women Who Care, visit 100womeneastms.org.