Since living in the Wood River Valley full-time from Tacoma, Washington, Marty Lyon, a landscape architect and founder of Lyon Landscape Architects, has relished the many opportunities the community has given him, especially in helping non-profits with much-needed monetary gifts. In particular, Marty worked on elevating the Sawtooth Botanical Garden to become one of the Valley’s most valued entities. The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is one of several non-profits Marty has assisted in several capacities, from the board and committee level to development. Despite his dedication, he has never lost track of what the Wood River Valley has given him.
Since 2013, 100 Men Who Care, celebrating 12 years of giving to non-profits in the Wood River Valley, has raised more than $460,000, which has been provided directly to local charities and non-profits. Essentially, Marty facilitates a men’s giving circle of 100 men and, at times even more, who all present $100 a piece.
“I wanted to help organizations reach their potential,” said Marty. “What’s amazing about 100 Men Who Care since I first launched it is how the men love it. They are excited and instrumental to its success.”
Meeting once a quarter on the second Tuesday of the month, 100 Men Who Care allows busy men to help those in need if they cannot volunteer or commit to work but want to be charitable. They are participating in a socially conscious mission that benefits Wood River Valley non-profits and makes a difference in the community. The organization provides funds to allow organizations to function at their best and serve the community.
“The evolution of what we do has been fantastic with more and more men involved,” said Marty. “What is most interesting is that many are involved because they want to get to know the community and become engaged at some level with local non-profits. It’s an opportunity for men to meet other men and, more importantly, to understand this big engine of non-profits that is so integral in supporting the economy and social fabric of the Wood River Valley.”
The variety of organizations that 100 Men Who Care supports ranges from the arts, human needs, schools, seniors, and animals to sports and recreation, which reveals the incredible expanse of the Wood River Valley community. And it does not end there. Marty wants to expand to assist other areas of the Valley that are in need such as affordable workforce housing.
“In the last year, I have had many conversations about the housing needs in our valley,” he said. “It’s a layer that is underserved in the community. With the help of several non-profits, I think this issue is something we can take on. Details are in the works, but I want 100 Men Who Care to contribute to addressing this problem.”
Marty added, “Why not have 100 Men Who Care take the lead? We are all about caring, and in this process, we are educating and informing the community. There’s a layer of underserved low-income communities, and we must acknowledge and act, this is where we can take a leading role.” Creating an opportunity to care for a community with men who want to help complete a circle is what it means to live and be part of the Wood River Valley.
“There are real stories here, and they need to be told,” said Marty. "I’m so pleased with how 100 Men Who Care has been embraced. The number of men participating has increased, and the value of our gifts has also increased. We have 100 to 130 men who are actively involved, and we have steady revenue. Every level of income is represented in our organization's participation, and I am so thankful to them.”
100 Men Who Care meetings are held once every quarter and meet at The Community Library in Ketchum. The annual July meeting and social is at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden. Visit 100menwhocarewoodrivervalley.com.