A chance meeting of like-minded women at an International Women’s Day luncheon has resulted in the formation of another chapter of 100 Women Who Care.
This chapter, 100 Women Who Care Rural Wellington, includes, as the name suggests, women from rural Wellington.
Seniors’ Centre for Excellence program coordinator Helen Edwards was responsible for organizing the International Women’s Day event on March 8 at the Palmerston United Church.
One of the speakers at the event was 100 Women Who Care Guelph representative Sharon Lewis. She was also inspired to make a difference in her community after attending a presentation in Guelph on 100 Women Who Care. Lewis encouraged the women participating in the Palmerston event to consider forming a group in their own communities.
“Helen brought the organization to light at the meeting in Palmerston,” said Kay Ayres, organizing committee member with 100 Women Who Care Rural Wellington.
“Mapleton resident Debra Whale was sitting beside me at the luncheon and we got talking about forming a chapter,” said Ayres. “After the March meeting Helen joined us and then Judy Dirksen came on board.”
Edwards said, “Its an easy-peasy way to give to local charities. A commitment of one hour of your time, four times a year and four $100 cheques.”
100 Women Who Care has its roots in Jackson, Michigan where Karen Dunegan organized the first chapter. Currently there are over 200 chapters in Canada and 1,000 in the United States.
Chapters meet four times a year. Each member of the chapter brings a $100 cheque to the meeting where charity names are submitted for a chance to be the recipient of the cheques, totalling $10,000.
Three charities are drawn from a hat. The member who submitted the name of the charitable organization drawn from the hat gives a presentation to the membership on the charity and why the charity deserves to be chosen for the donation.
The charity must be local and must be able to issue tax receipts. A vote is taken amongst the membership and the winning charity attends a subsequent meeting to explain to the chapter how the donation was spent.
The two charities not chosen are returned to the hat. Members who cannot attend are asked to contribute their cheque but when not in attendance are unable to vote.
Ayres added 100% of the money goes to the charity as there are no overhead expenses.
“It’s an opportunity to have a huge impact on the community,” Edwards said.
For more information on the chapter or to become a member contact Edwards at HEdwards@mapleton.ca.
