Author Archives: Miriam Vince

100WWCG’s Seventh Virtual Meeting Reinforces our Dedication to the Guelph Charity Community…

Photo courtesy Unsplash

Wow! Over the past year, what we definitely have learned is the power of our members’ determination and commitment. In response to punishing Covid-19 challenges, we have used virtual meetings to continue our important work for Guelph charities – and we have succeeded!
100WWCG has been determined to prevail, against all odds. We have worked hard, been innovative, and stayed connected to our membership. Our over-riding desire has been to give back to the Guelph community.

We are proud to say that we haven’t given up on local charitable organizations. They are not alone in their struggle to survive and their continued success matters to our membership.

Our commitment to Guelph charities is firm. We want to support them, no matter how challenging the current situation may be. 100 Women Who Care Guelph is proud to move forward, and wholeheartedly dedicate its efforts to our community.

Members, representing three charities selected in our nomination draw, provided written presentations which were reviewed and voted upon by members.

Our three chosen charities were:

1. The Nightingale Centre
(Nominated by Donna Core)

2. The Guelph Community Health Van
(Nominated by Ruth McMath )

3. Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society
(Nominated by Mary Casagrande)

Photo courtesy Unsplash

Important Announcement!

The Guelph Community Health Van
(Nominated by Ruth McMath )

Is the Recipient of our January 2022 Donation!

Over the past two years, there has been a huge increase in demand for services and supplies offered by the Van, especially as the pandemic has reduced access to health facilities and resources.

Our 100 Women Who Care Guelph donation will be used to fund the purchase of the most urgently needed winter items including sleeping bags, warm clothing, tarps, blankets and hygiene supplies.

Where do we go from here?

The past two years have felt like a gut punch.

Nobody believed that in 2022, we would find ourselves here, but this is our reality and we persist. There have been positive outcomes.

We have learned that we are strong and innovative.
100WWCG continues to make a huge contribution to the Guelph community, in spite of Covid-19.

Connection used to be easier. That said, we know that we need to stay engaged, now more than ever. Whatever the challenge we may have faced, the 100WWCG membership has always been up to the task!

100WWCG has committed to giving back to the Guelph community over the past 7 years. This commitment has made it possible for 100WWCG to donate more than $10,000 per quarter to eligible local charities. Congratulations to our membership for achieving this incredible success.

Most of us recognize that our path forward isn’t clear yet, but the steering committee is constantly working towards the day when we can have real handshakes and hugs in large venues, without hand sanitizer and masks, and make our decisions without relying on network technology. We will notify everyone by email and post information on the Upcoming Meetings page on our website, as soon as this is possible.

Meanwhile, we are confident that you will continue to be the engaged membership that we celebrate, as we move forward to achieve incredible successes within the Guelph charity community.

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

Mohammed Ali

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

President Barack Obama

Thanks for your huge contribution to our success! Together, we really domake a difference.

Sharon, Tannis, Miriam, Lisa, Carol, Peggy and Dianne

The 100 Women Team

Guelph Y Camp says “Thank You!” For Our October 2021 Donation

Tannis Sprott delivers our October donation to YMCA of Three Rivers.

Here for Good, Because of You…

Thank you for your generous donation to our March Break Camps. The YMCA is Canada’s largest camp provider, and locally, the YMCA of Three Rivers is well-known for providing safe and inclusive camp experiences for all children ages 4 -12 years. Through camp, children are provided a chance to learn, grow, and explore in a place where they feel they truly belong. Together, children from across our community come together to try new activities and build lasting friendships.

While COVID-19 disrupted what camp has looked like for us, we’re looking forward to welcoming more children back to our Guelph Y Day Camps in 2022. And, your support of nearly $12,000 couldn’t have come at a better time.

For many families, March Break Camp is necessary child care to allow them to continue work. At the Y, we’re committed to providing equitable access to all. In 2019, of our 118 Guelph March Break Campers, 47% were subsidized. That’s 56 individual children who might not otherwise have had the chance to experience Y camps.

Families in our community continue to struggle with the realities of the pandemic. From school shutdowns to remote learning, balancing working from home and caring for your family to layoffs and job uncertainty, our families need access to subsidized March Break programming now more than ever. And, thanks to your generous gift, we can meet this need.

Through your support, you’re providing children the opportunity to get outside, have new experiences, and connect with friends – all of which contribute to their improved health and well-being. On behalf of all our campers – thank you.

Sincerely,

The YMCA of Three Rivers Philanthropy Team: Chantelle, Patricia and Victoria

Press Release January 2022 (Guelph Community Health Van)

100 WWCG Supports the Marginalized Through the Guelph Community Health Van

The marginalized in our society are among the most at risk of contracting and experiencing serious effects from COVID-19. Whether the marginalization stems from homelessness, mental health, substance use or chronic poverty, access to critical services for this group has been severely impacted by the pandemic.

Sanguen Community Health, based in Waterloo, has provided support to those in need in Guelph through the Guelph Community Health Van since October 2016.

The marginalized often feel invisible or unwanted. When so many doors have been closed throughout the pandemic, the Van staff have been there to serve the most vulnerable and isolated members of our community by meeting them where they are.

The Van is staffed by an interdisciplinary and multi-agency team made up of a Harm Reduction Coordinator, Peer Support Worker, Public Health Nurse, and a Social Support Coordinator.

On top of offering harm reduction supplies, food and basic hygiene items, the Van provides nursing supports such as wound care, vaccines, STI testing, and peer and social supports to this vulnerable group.

As the pandemic stretches on through another cold winter, no one should be left behind. 100 Women Who Care Guelph, dedicated to supporting local charities, has chosen the Guelph Community Health Van to be the recipient of their $10,000+ donation this quarter in support of our community’s most at risk members.

The 100 WWCG donation will go towards purchasing some of the most urgently needed winter items, including sleeping bags, warm clothing, tarps, blankets, and hygiene supplies.

To find more information on the fundraising efforts of 100 WWCG, or to become a member and join in contributing to local charities, visit their website at www.100womenwhocareguelph.com.

Virtual Meeting Number Six Reinforces Our Commitment to Serving the Guelph Community…

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

We’ve discovered a great deal over the past year, but the one thing we have definitely learned is the power of determination and commitment. 100 Women Who Care Guelph has used virtual meetings to continue our important work for Guelph charities in response to ongoing Covid-19 concerns.
For those in need of support, the sentiment above says it all. Our determination to prevail during this challenging time has required 100WWCG to be innovative in our efforts to give back to our Guelph community.
We are proud to say that we haven’t given up on local charities. They are not alone in their struggle to survive and their continued success matters to our membership. The power of generosity is a mighty one.

Members, representing three charities selected in our nomination draw, provided written presentations which were reviewed and voted upon by members.
Our three chosen charities were:

1. YMCA of Three Rivers
(Nominated by Rosemary Fernandes-Walker)

2. Guelph Wish Fund for Children
(Nominated by Karyn Kirkwood)

3. Foundation of Guelph General Hospital
(Nominated by Lisa Hood)

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Important Announcement!

YMCA of Three Rivers
(Nominated by Rosemary Fernandes- Walker)

Is the Recipient of our October 2021 Donation!

YMCA of Three Rivers will use our donation to support its Day Camp initiatives. These valuable programs benefit parents by alleviating the stress of finding care for their children while they need to work – specifically for PD days and March Break. They also provide a safe and inclusive camp experience for all children ages 4-12 years.

For more information, follow this link to our most recent press release.

Torchlight Services Says “Thank You!” For Our June Donation

Kim Court, the Program Co-ordinator of Torchlight Services, has prepared a special “Thank You!” for all members of 100 Women Who Care Guelph.
Follow this link to their expression of thanks on our website.

What are Our Next Steps?

We’re starting to see changes, slowly but surely, to the way that we are able to do things.

Sixteen months ago, our world changed. Handshakes and hugs were replaced by hand sanitizer and masks. Connection used to be easy, but we have learned that we can still stay connected by being flexible during challenging times.

The steering committee is SO proud of our membership. Whatever the challenge we may have faced, you have been up to the task! Your commitment to giving back to the Guelph community has made it possible for us to donate more than $10,000 per quarter to eligible local charities. Congratulations to our membership for achieving this incredible success.

Currently, the situation is fluid. As soon as it is possible to host safe “in person” meetings, approved by local and provincial authorities, we will notify everyone by email and post information on the Upcoming Meetings page on our website.

Meanwhile, here is some food for thought from others whose lives have impacted many:

“No one has ever become poor by giving”

Anne Frank

“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.”

Napoleon Hill

Thanks for your huge contribution to our success! Together, we really do make a difference…

Sharon, Tannis, Miriam, Lisa, Carol, Peggy and Dianne
The 100 Women Team

Torchlight Services Expresses Thanks for our June Donation

**Torchlight Services Receives the Donation Cheques From 100WWCG**

September 23, 2021

Dear 100 Women Who Care,

It has been 3 months since Torchlight received the great news that our organization was the successful charity. Your generous donation enabled us to continue to engage with our participants in a meaningful way through the Connect Virtual Program.

The Connect program offers virtual programming to underserved (due to pandemic restrictions) and isolated participants with disabilities.

Your donation amounted to just under $10,000. This allowed us the opportunity to continue to connect our participants with their community through the purchase of outside instructors. We were also able to re-hire our student program facilitators.

Your donation not only helped Torchlight Services and our participants, but it also supported small local businesses and students who have been struggling locating employment during this pandemic.

I know that there are many worthy charities that need support, especially during this time; and Torchlight is grateful for your generosity.

Thank you for the work you do in our community.

Sincerely,

Kim Court,

Program Co-ordinator, Torchlight Services [email protected]

Our June Virtual Meeting

Three Members Want You to Know Why Their Chosen Charities Deserve Your Votes!

If you missed the chance to see the nomination draw, you can follow this link.

Hats off to the three dedicated 100WWCG members who volunteered to describe the significant work their charity undertakes and how our donation would be deployed to improve the service they provide to our community!

Our three chosen charities are:

The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital
(Nominated by Sharron Watson)
Follow this link to read Sharron’s presentation.

Torchlight Services
(Nominated by Diane Harvey)
Follow this link to read Diane’s presentation.

Guelph Youth Singers
(Nominated by Heather Mair)
Follow this link to read Heather’s presentation.

Important Announcement!

Torchlight Services

(Nominated by Diane Harvey)

Is the Recipient of our June 2021 Donation!

Our donation will allow Torchlight Services to continue their mission to “advocate for, promote, and facilitate the full participation, inclusion and empowerment of people who have a disability within the community.”

Torchlight has earmarked these funds to continue running virtual programs which help clients to socialize and engage in fun games and activities. The expected outcome will be a reduction of boredom and loneliness and an increased feeling of emotional well-being for program participants.

For more information, follow this link to our most recent press release.

North End Harvest Market Says “Thank You!” For Our April Donation

May 31st, 2021

The Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition would like to extend our huge gratitude to the 100 Women Who Care and your amazing gift. The NEHM provides fresh and nutritious food to hundreds of community members each week. Over the past year the pandemic has caused a lot of stress and trauma in the lives of so many of our friends. This has created more need for the NEHM’s work and increased our food budget. Your gift could not have come at a better time. I’d like all of us to reflect on why so many in our community need to access emergency food programs and the inequity in our city and country.

Thanks from Brendan Johnson – Executive Director GNSC.

The North End Harvest Market would like to thank 100 Women Who Care Guelph for your amazing dedication to our community and especially to our vulnerable citizens struggling daily and even more during this pandemic to put good nutritious food on their tables with a special shout out to Linda Cowbrough who was our nominator and is a great market supporter and volunteer.

Thanks from Barb McPhee – NEHM Manager

The North End Harvest Market started in July of 2013 as a pilot project to provide fresh produce in the north end of Guelph (which was a food desert) to low income families. With no sustainable funding, just donations and help from grants and our ADOPT-A-WEEK program, the market has been able to provide this service for the past 7 years.

May 28th – 2021 – Carol Dilworth (100WWCG) presents donation cheques to Barb (NEHM), Brendan (GNSC)

The Market provides fresh produce to approximately 560 individuals and families each week. Marketers are allowed to access the market every two weeks. The market started in the north end of Guelph and now because of COVID we provide produce to all corners of the City. We deliver to around 80 homes and we have a Curbside service where the marketer pulls up in their car and a bag of produce is put in their back seat or trunk and they drive away. It is a real safe – COVID way to make sure everyone gets their produce in a safe way.

“My name is Molly and I am a delivery driver for the North End Harvest Market and just wanted you to know that your financial support is such an amazing donation. The market does such an amazing job at making sure the most vulnerable are fed. As a driver – each week – I have been able to make a distant covid connection with some of the marketers receiving this service and I can tell you that they are so very greatful to the market. I take my kids along to help deliver and it is a fun experience to share as a family. – Thanks for your gift.”

Cobs Bread Bakery has an End of Day Giving program where at the end of each day – left over bread is given to community charities and the market is lucky enough to be one of those charities and we are able to give bread, buns, scones and treats out to the families as well as the produce. We also have a connection with one of the Zehrs Stores and we receive their left over goods and combined with a Cobs Bread pick up on Saturday nights, we are able to provide a free bread market on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and we see around 40 families a week.

“My name is Ellie Gains and I am a single mother with 3 children – I had to quit my job because of COVID , to stay home and help with home schooling. I am so grateful for the North End Harvest Market who provides our family with the fresh produce that we could not afford to purchase and my children actually love vegetables. It has also been a blessing that they deliver as I could not carry the produce and my children on the bus. There is also a bonus now with Harveys free bread market that helps us with free bread and treats on Sundays.”

“My name is Norine Wagner and I was a marketer for over two years and the fresh produce actually saved my life as I was diabetic and could not afford to eat properly. I now have my health in line and have a part time job to continue with produce. I also now volunteer each week at the market to give back.”

“My Name is Kent Wagner and the North End Harvest Market helped me tremendously during my addiction recovery – they not only provided me with Fresh Produce, but treated me like part of the market family and supported me to find resources I needed. I volunteered at the market to give back and now I have a job at a men’s shelter which the market now supports once a month with fresh produce. Thanks for your generous donation. The market works hard at fundraising and these kind of donations are a blessing for their survival.”

Pearl is one of our marketers who is such an inspiration – she just turned 89 and we were able to give her a cake from our Free Bread Market and celebrated with balloons and air hugs. Your donation makes the little things in life happen with love, caring and dignity.

THANK YOU 100 WOMEN WHO CARE GUELPH!!!!!!!!

Barb McPhee, Manager, North End Harvest Market

Chalmers Community Centre Says “Thank You!” For Our January Donation.

Carol Dilworth presents a cheque from 100WWCG to Chalmers Community Services Centre

Thank You 100 Women Who Care Guelph!

I don’t know where to start….
Your donation has meant that many families can stay in their homes. Families get to choose from the following list of items they need:

Fruit and Vegetables
Canned goods
Salt
SugarPancake Mix
Dried Soups
Meat
Hummus
Peanut Butter
Bread
Toilet Paper
Soap
Razors
Shaving cream
Shower gel
Hygiene products
Diapers
Baby wipes
Toothpaste
Socks
Gloves

You can imagine the relief a family feels when the above needs are met so they can spend the little money they have left on rent. Because of you 700 families will receive FULL baskets of what they need and they can stay in their homes..Many of the families that visit have 4-5 children so the need is great. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many families.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Vicki Olatundun, Excutive Director, Chalmers Community Services Centre, Guelph

Our Virtual Meeting for April 2021

Three Members Make A Pitch for
Their Chosen Charities!

Photo by Alfonso Scarpa on Unsplash

Meeting rooms and microphones aren’t necessary for virtual meetings. The most important component of our “gathering” is the information provided by the three committed 100WWCG members who have volunteered to detail the important work their charity is undertaking and how they would make use of a donation.

*****

If you missed the chance to see the nomination draw, follow this link.

*****

Our three chosen charities are:

*****

1. ARCH – HIV AIDS

(Nominated by Sonia Preisler)
Follow this link to read Sonia’s presentation.

*****

Hope House

(Nominated by Marissa Teeter )
Follow this link to read Marissa’s presentation.

*****

North End Harvest Market

(Nominated by Linda Cowbrough)
Follow this link to read Linda’s presentation.

*****

Photo by ＫｕｃｈｉｈｉｇｅＳａｂｏｔｅｎ on Unsplash

Important Announcement!

North End Harvest Market
is the Recipient of our April 2021 Donation!

Our donation will give NEHM the opportunity to continue to safely provide much-needed food security to many struggling individuals and families during the ongoing pandemic. Their mission is to ensure that Covid is not a barrier to fresh produce for the city’s most vulnerable population.For more information, follow this link to our most recent press release.