Pictures courtesy of Nadine Ryan
Our Spring meeting was VERY well attended and we had over 80 members in the room! 100WWCG now has 195 contributing members – 188 previous members plus 7 new members at our April meeting. Our thermometer sits at $543,720 (53% of the way to the goal of $1 million).
There were several pin recipients – (7) for 3 years, (8) for 5 years, and (10) for 10 years!
Bequest to 100WWCG
The first item of business was an announcement regarding a bequest that 100 Women Who Care Guelph received from Gale Dudnick of $25,000. 100WWCG is not a legal entity and the option to become a charity ourselves was discarded. Options have been reviewed and discussed over the last few months and were narrowed down to two possibilities:
- Distribute the funds directly from the lawyer to one or more charities immediately via a special meeting using a special process.
- Partner with the Guelph Community Foundation to allow us to retain those monies in an endowment fund and use them over time, perhaps to provide some small award each meeting to the runners up. This has been a suggestion from many members over the years.
An email will be sent to the membership outlining the options, providing more information, and addressing questions that were raised in the meeting. We will vote via email on the two options. Please keep an eye out for this!
Pin recipients at the meeting
Nominated Charities
- Guelph Youth Singers
Nominated by Heather Mair and Presented by Karie Rippin Bilger, Board Chair and Mary Meads
Mary and Karie began by highlighting the many challenges that today’s youth face and the positive impact that music education can create including better concentration, sense of self, and anxiety management. The GYS have (3) choirs, a mass choir, a musical theatre program, as well as festivals and concerts. Their goal is to ensure fair and equal access for all children to the programs.
Currently 60% of the costs for GYS are covered by tuition. If chosen, the funds from 100WWCG would be used to support involvement from youth that cannot afford the tuition of approximately $1000. (GYS never says “no” to someone who wants to be involved, but covering this cost can be challenging.)
- Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre
Nominated by Ann Caine and Presented by Ann Caine
The Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre provides the opportunity for an animal/human bonding experience. Programs embrace everyone but focus on participants with disabilities such as anxiety, autism, and cognitive challenges. The programs range from camps to life skills programs. Ann shared stories of some of the program participants including how Jack, a horse, was able to help a 6-year-old with extreme anxiety bravely leave his mother’s side and enter the barn on his own.
The Centre does not receive ongoing government support and relies on grants, fundraising and donors to operate. If chosen, the funds would be used to support a scholarship program.
- Chalmers Community Services Centre
Nominated by Ali Jukes and Presented by Crystle Avery, ED
Crystle shared that Chalmers Community Services Centre began 28 years ago. Today there are 75 volunteers and 5 part time staff. Support includes 3 food pantries and 2 cafes. The goal is to support community members facing food insecurity with dignity and respect. The Centre provides nutritionally balanced food baskets two – three days per week. There are also another 25-30 guests at the cafes.
Guelph could be one of the hardest hit communities by the Trump tariffs and economic uncertainty. The Centre anticipates an increase in demand and if chosen, the funds will go towards the purchase of food for the baskets. Crystle added that if not chosen, the Centre will either have to cut items included in the baskets or turn people away.
Chosen Charity
The chosen charity was Chalmers Community Services Centre. Cheques can be made out to Chalmers Community Services Centre (memo line: Food Pantry – 100WWCG).
You can see the Press Release here
Thank You from Ronald McDonald House Charities
Meaghan Moore, the Director, Advancement & External Relations of RMHC SCO, joined the meeting to provide an update as the chosen charity in January. Over the last 3 months, 17 families from Guelph were supported (8 families are still there). This is the equivalent of 212 nights and meals. “From all of us at RMHC, and from the Guelph families who have walked through our doors this year, thank you.”
Board Chair at RMHC South Central Ontario, Paul Matteis, also spoke to the impact that the donation from 100WWCG has had.
Read Meaghan’s full comments here
Thank you for your continued generosity, involvement and passion!
The 100WWCG Team
Sharon, Tannis, Lisa, Peggy, Dianne, Melodie, and Denise