Thanks were extended to the Delta Hotel for significantly reducing meeting fees and to Sandra Lastovic from Skip the Bank for covering the remaining costs.
We currently have 215 active members! New members were welcomed, including Leah, who is already assisting with photography. Since October 2014, the organization has made $628,834 in donations, approaching the end of its 11th year of operation.
A total of 17 three-year, 19 five-year, and 15 ten-year service pins were awarded. Those in attendance were invited to come forward for a group photo.
Please note: charities will now have the option of sending email receipts directly to our cheque writing donors. As with mailing addresses, donors’ email addresses will be provided to the charities with strict instructions not to use them for other purposes. Any misuse should be reported.
The Three Nominated Charities
North End Harvest Market: Nominated by Peggy Brightwell and presented by Barb McPhee, Market Manager
The North End Harvest Market provides free produce and fosters community support with a dignity-first approach, seeking funding to sustain its operations. Established in 2014, NEHM offers free produce to individuals and families facing food insecurity. It reaches vulnerable populations often overlooked by traditional statistics, including those experiencing homelessness, seniors in seclusion, and children in the system.
NEHM is hosted at no cost by Trinity United Church. Collaborations and programs include All City Brewing Co. for fundraisers and a free holiday lunch, the Children’s Foundation and Santa to support families during the holidays, “Peas in the Pod,” an informal monthly meeting for grassroots food suppliers, and was the first organization to partner with FEWD (Food Equity With Dignity) to provide free hot meals at the market twice a month.
The total annual cost for produce alone is approximately $78,000. NEHM receives $40,000 from the City of Guelph’s Community Benefits Agreement through the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition (GNSC). The GNSC covers administrative costs and wages for a part-time market staff. The remaining funds must be raised by the market, primarily through its “Adopt a Week” program, where a $1,500 donation sponsors one week of market operations.
If selected for funding, the donation would directly support the food budget, enabling the market to remain open for the second half of the year.
Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario: Nominated by: Sanpreet Sihota and presented by Robin Arnott, Community Engagement Coordinator & Chloe Chaput, Yoga for Parkinson’s Instructor
The Parkinson Society, represented by Robin Arnott and Chloe, presented a proposal for funding their “Chair Yoga for Parkinson’s” program in Guelph. April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, highlighting the timeliness of this initiative.
The organization ensures “no one has to face Parkinson’s disease alone.” They provide educational programming, community-building initiatives (support groups, workshops, conferences), and exercise programs.
Research has shown significant benefits for both motor and non-motor symptoms, enhancing flexibility, strength, posture, and balance (areas greatly affected by Parkinson’s). It also addresses anxiety, depression, and stress often associated with Parkinson’s. Programs can be modified for various stages of Parkinson’s, including chair-based and supported poses, ensuring safe participation regardless of mobility level.
The requested funding would directly support the Guelph Chair Yoga program to sustain its operations, expand class availability by hiring additional instructors, add educational components and workshops based on participant needs and continuously develop and improve the program over time.
United Way – Home for Good Campaign: Nominated by Margaret Middleton and presented by: Sarah Haanstra, ED, Guelph Community Foundation
The United Way Home for Good campaign, a joint initiative with the Guelph Community Foundation, is dedicated to addressing chronic homelessness by funding and building permanent supportive housing solutions in the Guelph community. The campaign aims to tackle the pervasive issue of homelessness by providing stable, supported housing, thereby alleviating the fundraising burden on local charities and fostering a collective community solution.
The campaign raises funds specifically for building permanent housing, allowing direct service charities to focus on their day-to-day work rather than fundraising for infrastructure. Moving into permanent supportive housing provides a safe unit with 24/7 staff support, on-site health clinics, and community. This stability allows residents to focus on recovery, improve health, pursue education, volunteer, and ultimately regain a sense of safety, confidence, and a future.
To date, Home for Good has raised $2.6 million. These funds have contributed to three key projects, creating 72 permanent supportive housing units in Guelph. The next project, “Welcome 2 Waterloo” (located on Waterloo Avenue), led by Wyndham House, will add 13 new housing units. Ten of these will be fully supported, and three will offer flexible support, suitable for individuals or small families. Housing is intended to be permanent. While some residents may eventually transition to less intensive subsidized housing as their needs change, others will require 24/7 support indefinitely to remain safely housed.
Chosen Charity
United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin – Home for Good Campaign!
Here is how you can make your donation…
Online through our 100WWCG CanadaHelps fundraising page:
Follow this link to make your donation online.
- If you choose this option, please make a payment of $104.00 to our chosen charity, to cover your donation plus processing fees.
- Choose the selected charity from those listed on the webpage.
- A charitable receipt will be issued for online donations, as soon as your payment has been made.
Payment by Cheque (before April 21st)
- Please make your cheque payable to United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin (note in memo line: Home for Good Campaign)
- To the amount of $100.00
- Send by April 21st to Priscilla Monteith @ 25 Arthur St N Guelph ON N1E 4T7
Thank you from Alzheimer Society Waterloo-Wellington,
Lawrence Lutgendorff, Director of Fund Development and Communications, joined the meeting. Read his full comments here.
Next Charities – Nominations
- Kiwanis Music Festival (nominated by Barb McKay)
- Central Ontario Leadership Seminars (nominated by Kristen Gardiner)
- YMCA of Three Rivers (nominated by Lisa Hood)
Our next meeting is Monday June 15th. See you then!