WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Rural Wellington chapter of 100 Women Who Care is planning to purchase iPads to help local hospital patients stay in touch with loved ones.
The local chapter, which actually has 125 members, had to cancel its March meeting due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings.
The group normally meets four times a year to select a charity to receive a donation of $100 per member.
“So we decided to donate the money which would have been collected at our March meeting to a useful COVID-related endeavor within the county,” explained Deborah Whale, one of the group’s organizers.
“After some discussions with hospital personnel, it was decided that we could try to meet some of the need for iPads to enable hospital patients, who are unable to see family due to the coronavirus, to at least ‘meet’ friends and family on the iPads.”
Whale said a total of $7,500 was raised.
While she noted, “as many of our members as possible” donated to the cause, “at the same time we understand that not everyone, under the current economic circumstances, will be able to do so.”
Whale said members will decide individually to which of the three local hospital foundations they wish to donate (Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation in Mount Forest, Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation, or Groves Memorial Community Hospital Foundation in Fergus).
The funds will go to the foundations, which will purchase and distribute the iPads.
The 100 Women Who Care/Rural Wellington Branch started in 2018. Members are encouraged to nominate their favourite local charities to be considered by random draw and vote for the money donated at each meeting. Members meet four times a year, so at current membership levels, the group donates $40,000 annually to local charities.
“Join us to make a difference and give where you live,” organizers urge.
For information go to 100wwcrw.com.
