100 People Who Care Sac County Funds Lake View American Legion Renovation

Members of 100 People Who Care Sac County voted at their Jan. 12 quarterly meeting to direct the group’s collective contributions to the Lake View American Legion’s building renovation project. The donation continues the giving circle’s mission of pooling modest individual gifts to produce meaningful local impact.

Since its founding, the volunteer group has awarded thousands of dollars to a range of community needs across Sac County, including fire departments in Early, Odebolt, Schaller, Lytton, Wall Lake, and Lake View; ambulance services in Lake View and Schaller; libraries in Early, Schaller, and Lake View; the Sac County Fair Board; East Sac County Food Pantry; Twilight Acres; the Raider Friends Backpack Program; and several veterans and historical organizations. That record underlines the group’s focus on strengthening emergency response, food security, education, and veteran supports countywide.

The 100 People Who Care process is intentionally simple and community driven. Members nominate potential recipients, three nominees are chosen at random to present at each meeting, and the membership votes. The project receiving the most votes takes the pooled funds. Each member commits to donating $100 at four meetings per year, and participation is open to individuals or teams. Nancy Peterson presented the donation to Joe Riedell of the Lake View American Legion during the group’s meeting in Early.

For Buena Vista County residents, the Legion renovation has practical public health and social equity implications. Community halls like the American Legion serve as gathering places for veterans services, civic meetings, and local events that contribute to social connectedness, a proven factor in mental health and resilience. Upgraded, accessible facilities can also expand opportunities for health outreach such as screenings, immunization clinics, and emergency coordination during storms or other disruptions. Investment in a veteran-centered space addresses both historical obligations to those who served and broader community needs that often center on small towns’ shared buildings.

The group’s approach keeps philanthropy local and participatory, allowing donors to directly influence which projects receive support and encouraging collaboration between towns across the county. Residents interested in observing or taking part in the giving circle can attend the next meeting at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 12 at the Early United Methodist Church, 402 Hickory St. Organizers welcome anyone curious about the process or wanting to nominate a project, and more information is available at facebook.com/100PWCSC.

The Lake View American Legion renovation is one small project in a patchwork of community investments, but for many residents it represents tangible maintenance of shared space, improved access for veterans and neighbors, and a continued local commitment to public safety and social services.