Staff photo by Fritz Busch B the Light founder Amber Melby is pictured above after 100 Women Who Care select the organization to receive a $10,000 donation at the New Ulm Country Club Sunday.

NEW ULM — A community organization that meets twice a year to benefit local non-profits with a $10,000 donation selected B the Light as its latest benefactor at the New Ulm Country Club Sunday.

Founded by resilient breast cancer survivor Amber Melby of New Ulm, the organization emerged as a heartfelt initiative to extend the love and light she received during her cancer journey.

“Thank you again so very much. This means so much to us. It comes at a very important time for our programming. It could not have come at a more important time,” said Melby.

B the Light was named after Melby’s aunt Brenda, an 18-year metastatic breast cancer survivor who died in 2018.

The organization provides support, fosters connections and instills hope for breast cancer survivors, their caregivers, and their families.

Since 2016, B the Light has expanded beyond New Ulm to Mankato to neighboring communities with six programs including ReLight retreats, Cooking Beyond Cancer, Hope Huddles, Survival Fitness, Holiday Hope handbags and Hope Getaways.

B the Light has served nearly 500 people and interest is rising.

“We get two to five referrals per week. We’re seeing more women in their 30s and 40s now that need our services,” said Melby.

Other organizations considered for the donation Sunday were New Ulm’s Own and the New Ulm Area Emergency Food Shelf.

Pro Kinship for Kids received the most recent $10,000 donation.

100 Women Who Care will meet in six months to select its next donation recipient. The organization has raised more than $100,000 directly benefiting the local area.