Project 100: 100 People. 100 Days. 100 Dollars.

Project 100 will consist of multiple phases, the first of which has been the random distribution of $100 bills to 100 different people over 100 days.  And what a phase it has been!

Greg Wohler, Project 100 leader, says they know their $100 effort is fairly small-scale - but they hope it will increase a buzz and an interest in their mission.

"The idea we developed is that if we could do something small then that would create a larger movement that would gain more participation," he says.  "The first line of our mission statement says everything - ‘we believe that the act of giving changes everything.'  If we create a climate in Southeast Michigan where people want to give back to their friends, family, and neighbors then that would be great."

As of July 20, Project 100 has given $3,300 to 33 random people in the area.  And by random, that means Project 100's spokesman, Jeremy Cybulski, has approached people on the street, in their yards, or at their front door and offered them $100 - with no strings attached. 

Project 100 has no stipulations about what the recipient can do with their $100.  Some have given the money to a family member or friend with a greater need.  Some have donated it to other organizations, despite a physical need for the money themselves.  And some have been able to do wonderful things that otherwise would not have been financially possible.

"There was one woman in particular, Renae, who was planning her daughter's first birthday party," Jeremy explains.  "She was overwhelmed because things were so tight and she wanted to give her a great experience.  The $100 helped."

Not all future $100 recipients will be random.  For the last three weeks of the 100 People - 100 Days - 100 Dollars phase, Project 100 is asking people to visit their website ( www.whatisproject100.com ) to register for a chance to receive the money.  The organization will then make direct donations to those registrants.

Project 100 is providing more than a much needed economical boost in Southeast Michigan.  They are also providing critical resources, including a section on their website with money-saving tips and another devoted to encourage people to volunteer in their communities.

The project has many more ideas for Southeast Michigan and will continue to implement them in the coming months.  For more information, visit www.whatisproject100.com .

Follow Up: Recently the identity of Project 100 was identified by the Detroit News as Co-op Services Credit Union.  Co-op Services Credit Union conceived the project in an effort to help people during challenging times.  The Credit Union is headquartered in Livonia, Michigan and has more than 52,000 members and maintains eight full-service branch offices in the Detroit metro area.  For more information, visit www.cscu.org .