Hundred Club

Background and historical information on the Hundred Club of Durango:

1. History of the Hundred Club movement in the United States

The original Hundred Club started in Detroit in 1952. Since that time a number of Hundred Clubs have been formed in various cities, counties and regions in the U.S. A club was formed in Chicago (Cook County) in 1966, which later assisted in getting the Hundred Club of Denver started (1969). Now there are about 100 active Hundred Club organizations in the U.S. www.100clubchicago.org/articles/blue_coats_friend.asp

2. How was the Hundred Club of Durango started?

IIn 1974, a tragic downtown fire occurred in Durango, that claimed the lives of a Durango fireman and policeman. The community mourned the loss of these two men and was unable to immediately respond to the families in need. Doug Morrison of Denver, who then owned the local radio stations, was a member of the Hundred Club of Denver. Though his leadership and the commitment of many Durango area business and professional leaders, the Hundred Club of Durango was started in later in 1974.

3. How is a Hundred Club funded?

It is entirely funded through private and individual donations. The Club does not use government funding, but rather depends solely on the generosity of individual donors. The Hundred Club of Durango has no paid staff and expenses are kept to a bare minimum. Some clubs in the United States ask for dues in the $100 or $250 per year range. In Durango, we ask for $100 to join, and $100 per year to be an active member.

4. What is the purpose of the Hundred Club?

Our primary focus is to meet the needs of surviving spouses and family members, should a police officer or firefighter be killed in the line of duty. If a member of Durango’s public safety professionals is killed while serving his or her community, the Hundred Club steps in financially to assist the surviving spouse and family.

5. Who can be a member?

Members of the community, men or women, who are committed to the mission of the Hundred Club and are willing to financially support the Hundred Club on an annual basis. Presently, there are approximately 300 members of the Hundred Club in Durango.

6. How did I contact the 100 Club to join?

Please contact Dean Brown, membership chairman of the Hundred Club. Simply send a check with your contact information, or mail a request for an information packet by writing a note to P.O. Box 3146, Durango,CO 81302. Following your initial contribution, the Hundred Club dues are billed annually to members.

7. How is the Club organized?

The Hundred Club of Durango is a non-profit organization. It is governed by a local Board of Directors, comprised on men and women from throughout La Plata County. Chiefs of the fire departments, police and sheriff’s office serve as ex-officio members. There are no paid staff, but rather community volunteers who oversee the work of the Club.

8. When does the Hundred Club of Durango meet?

The Board of Directors meets twice a year, at the request of the Chairman. An annual membership banquet is held each November to honor the local public safety personnel. The cost of the annual banquet is in addition to your annual member dues.

9. How are Hundred Club funds or benefits distributed?

If a fire or police office is killed in the line of duty, the Hundred Club steps in to assist the impacted family and works with the public safety chief to help right away. Each situation is unique and the Hundred Club works closely with the chief of the affected department to make sure the assistance to the family is timely, appropriate and done without fanfare.

For additional information:
Call or Don Mapel (970) 247-1560 Jasper Welch at (970) 259-1000

Hundred Club of Durango
P. O. Box 3146,
Durango, CO 81302