The Fishers Century Club marked its fourth anniversary on Tuesday, June 24, continuing its mission to empower local charities through collective giving. The men’s crowd-giving organization gathered for its quarterly meeting, where members heard pitches from three nonprofits and ultimately selected the Kiwanis Holiday Hopes program as this quarter’s funding recipient.

The evening featured presentations from Steve Gilbert for LifeWise Academy, Justin Davis for the Hero’s Foundation, and Fishers resident Howard Burd, who pitched the Holiday Hopes program. Burd’s compelling presentation won the group’s vote, earning the program a significant donation to expand its reach in 2025.

The Kiwanis Holiday Hopes program offers underprivileged children in Fishers a unique holiday shopping experience. Community volunteers are paired with children to shop for gifts, with 75% of the funds allocated for the child’s own gifts and 25% reserved for a present for someone special in their life.

“This model not only helps meet immediate needs but also teaches the children the joy and value of giving,” said Burd. “There are far more underprivileged families and kids in the Fishers community than people might expect, and we are going to use these dollars to allow more children to experience this special holiday program in 2025.”

Burd, a recent Century Club member, encouraged other local men to join the group, calling it “an incredible way to make a real impact.”

The final tally of the crowd-giving funds is still being calculated as contributions continue to come in from members who were unable to attend the meeting. The next Fishers Century Club meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16 at 5:30 p.m. All men interested in supporting local charities are invited to attend and join the growing movement.

The Fishers Century Club meets quarterly, where members hear from three charities pitched by attendees and vote to select a winning cause. For more information, including a list of previous winners, visit  www.fisherscenturyclub.com or facebook.com/fisherscenturyclub. Those unable to attend meetings can participate online at www.tinyurl.com/OnlineGivingFCC.