Author Archives: Tannis Sprott

Bequest from Gale Dudnick

Gale Dudnick, long a champion of women and children, bequeathed $25,000 to 100WWCG in recognition of our shared dedication. While Gale was never a member of 100WWCG, she was touched by the impact our group has made in Guelph since 2014, and entrusted us with dispersing these funds to local charities.

For more information on Gale Dudnick, please see the article below, written by Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis, another grateful beneficiary of this amazing woman’s compassion for others.

We are honoured to share this heartwarming donor story with you.

GALE’S GIFT – An Inspiring Legacy of Generosity

One year ago, we received a very special phone call. The caller, Donald Kirk, shared that we had been left a $25,000 gift in the will of Gale Dudnick, his partner who died in May of 2022.

Gifts of this size are incredible to receive and allow us to serve our community better, but they are also incredibly moving. To think that our mission was what this woman chose to support as one of her final acts on earth. Humbling.

Gale was a real champion of women and wanted to help those vulnerable to abuse or exploitation. She served as an unofficial therapist to many women friends. Gale supported other women who engage in philanthropy through a gift to the 100 Women Who Care Guelph group. She also cared about youth and donated $25,000 each to Food4Kids, the Children’s Foundation of Guelph & Wellington and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph. Collectively, what an impact her $125,000 of giving will have for our community!

Donald shared, “Gale was a private and complex person who wanted to remain out of the limelight. Yet, I believe she would be happy to have this story about her giving made public, especially if it inspires others to give part of their estate to worthy organizations. I am so proud of how she used her estate to give back to others.”

Donald shared that Gale comforted many a passenger on Air Canada, through her role as a Flight Attendant, listening with kindness and offering “tidbits from her endless font of wisdom.” A number of these passengers were quite famous, especially those in the film and entertainment industry, however she treated everyone equally and was never star-struck. She continued this tradition in her small clothing and design boutique business in Rockwood and shoppers felt special through her treatment and attention. She also dutifully cared for both her aging parents, Peter and Madeline, in their last years and made sure their every need was fulfilled, despite the amount of time it took and mental exhaustion it caused.

Her dearest friend, Yvonne, had this to say about Gale after their shared 49 years of friendship:

“I know firsthand the countless number of people she helped mentally, physically and financially, many times putting her well-being to the side. I vividly remember the first time I met her. She made me feel I was the most important person in the room and that I really mattered, right when I needed that most. Gale held her cards close… you would never know by looking at her what personal struggles she herself endured. She always had a smiling face and a listening ear and was more interested in you than anything else. She was highly intelligent and the most well-spoken person I ever met.”

Yvonne also noted, “Even at an early age, she wisely used her gift to comfort others. Gale had great empathy for anyone struggling, but especially for women and children; they held a special place in her heart.”

We are grateful to Gale for her generosity. Gale lived her values until her last breath and now her legacy gifts will help create the kind of community where women and children are supported and lifted higher.

100 Women Who Care Guelph supports Chalmers Community Services Centre’s “Food Pantry”

100 Women Who Care Guelph has chosen Chalmers Community Services Centre’s Food Pantry to receive its most recent $17,000+ donation. The donation will provide food to members of our community who are food insecure via nutritionally balanced food baskets and a breakfast cafe.

Chalmers has been serving Guelph for over 28 years, now working out of two locations, with 75 volunteers and five staff. Their vision: “a community without poverty, where people flourish with dignity and respect”.

With a mandate of “Food Security for All”, Chalmer’s Food Pantry service offers three Food Pantries and two welcoming cafes every week. Families from all walks of life are welcomed bi-weekly and choose fresh produce, eggs, cheese and more via a basket format. They served 21,249 people in 2024. Fifty-seven percent of recipients of the baskets were children.

In 2025, the Food Pantry is in urgent need of additional funding; over half of their approximately $700,000 budget buys food; the other half of the food is donated. Their only support is from donors, the City of Guelph and United Way.

The problem is two-fold. First: the number of “food insecure” families is growing along with the cost of both food and economic turbulence/job losses.

Second: the cost of food has caused the Food Pantry to cut items from their line-up and to decrease the amounts purchased. The result: longer and growing line-ups of needy families; it often runs out of food after 45 minutes and must turn guests away.

The Food Pantry is seeking our donation to respond to the growing need; every dollar will go towards reinstating some foods that were “cut” and increasing the quantities offered. The donation will help it respond to today’s urgent and increasing food insecurity and very tough year ahead.

Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to become a member and help support those in need in our community.

Ronald McDonald House Charities South Western Ontario Relays a Huge Thank You for our January 2025 Donation

Good evening everyone,

I want to start with the most heartfelt thank you. A few months ago, I stood here and shared the story of Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario — our mission, our work, and the very real impact it has on families from Guelph whose children need to be at McMaster Children’s Hospital.

And you responded. Over 170 of you raised your hands — not just to give, but to say: “This matters.” That kind of collective action is powerful. It tells us, and it tells the Guelph families we serve, that their community is walking beside them in one of the hardest moments of their lives.

Thanks to your generosity, RMHC SCO received over $17,000 in donations. And in the short time since your gift, we’ve already welcomed 17 Guelph families through our doors, 8 of whom are STILL living there today. We have provided over 212 nights of comfort, rest, and home-cooked meals. Tragically, two of those families experienced the unimaginable loss of their child — and we were there with them through it all, offering support no hotel room or waiting area ever could.

This is why RMHC exists. We are not just a place to stay — we are a place to be held. A place to breathe, to grieve, to hope. And we do that with no government funding. We ask families for $12 a night if they can afford it — but our real cost is over $250 a night. And while McDonald’s supports us through things like McHappy Day and Round-Up, that covers just 30% of what we need to operate. The rest — 70% — comes from donors like you.

Your support is especially meaningful because we operate in Hamilton, yet serve families from across the region — and it can be easy to feel “outside the bubble” of some local giving. So for a group like 100 Women Who Care Guelph to look beyond city limits and say “these are our people too” — that’s not just generous. That’s transformational.

Your support matters — not just because of the dollars, but because of the message. When 170 women in one city stand up to say, “We care about this,” it creates momentum. It sends a message to other donors, to corporations, and to decision-makers that this is a cause worth paying attention to.

But even more powerfully, it tells Guelph families — you are not alone. Even when you’re far from home, your community has your back. That kind of leadership — from women like you — creates ripples. It says, “We take care of our own, even when they need to leave the city to get that care.” It helps more than just with the dollars — it builds visibility, it opens doors, and it tells future funders and families alike that this is a cause that matters here.

Because the truth is: families from Guelph will continue to need to travel for pediatric healthcare. That’s a reality. And so building a strong network of care and compassion for them on that journey is not just important — it’s essential. You are now part of that network.

And tonight, I’d also like to acknowledge someone who represents another important piece of this growing community of care — our Board Chair at RMHC South Central Ontario, Paul Matteis. Paul is also a proud member of 100 Men Who Give a Damn Guelph, and his presence here tonight means so much to us. He understands firsthand the power of collective giving and the difference it makes when a community shows up for its families.

I’d love to invite Paul to say a few words and help us close out this full-circle moment. Before I pass it over, from all of us at RMHC, and from the Guelph families who have walked through our doors this year, thank you.

Thank you so much.

Meaghan Moore,
Director, Advancement & External Relations
RMHC SCO

100 Women Who Care Guelph supports Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario

RMH Charities (RMHC) create a “home away from home” (food, shelter, respite) for weary families in crisis seeking care for their sick child. There are 16 “Houses” and numerous “Family Rooms” across Canada.

McMaster Children’s Hospital (Hamilton) IS Guelph’s children’s hospital. Hundreds of children with serious medical conditions (cancer, trauma, etc.) are emergency transfers from Guelph General to McMaster, requiring weeks or months in hospital. RMHC South Central Ontario (RMHCSCO), run by 15 paid staff and 200 volunteers, is there for family members providing crucial support for those children.

The financial impacts on families for travel and accommodation can be staggering. In 2024, Guelph families with children in McMaster stayed 1,392 nights at RMHCSCO, with 6,900 meals provided to parents and siblings.

While families pay $12 a night (unchanged since 1993 and which can be waived), the actual cost to stay at The House is over $200 a night. The cost to house, feed and provide programming was well over $300,000 for last year. With no government support and minimal contributions from McDonald’s itself, fundraising is crucial.

RMHC is committed to financial efficiency, focused on keeping the cost of every dollar raised as low as possible, and ensuring that each donation goes toward supporting families in need.

100WWCG’s more than $16,000 donation would create a fund to specifically support Guelph families travelling for medical care for their child, and would help the RMHCSCO operating budget and significantly reduce other fundraising needs.

Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to join 100WWCG and help support those in need in our community.

Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington Express Their Gratitude for Our October 2024 Donation

What your donation has done for our community!

A refugee claimant family newly arrived in Canada on November 12th and had been living in a shelter since their arrival. Due to limited space within the shelter, they were occupying one room for the whole family. The family consisted of 8 family members: 6 children and two parents. Based on their limited resources, the family was selected to be beneficiary of ISGW temporary housing support.

Family #1
A 2-bedroom accommodation with 5 beds was arranged for the family to move in by December 23, 2024, until end of March 31, 2025. With our support they have begun the process to receive refugee status. They have already received their Acknowledgment of Claim and UCI number, and they have done their medical as well. They had an appointment on December 17 at 8:00am with IRCC officer in Kitchener.

With our staff support the father, mom and youth all have work permits and need help to get a job. Driver’s license has been translated by our TIPS program.
To further support their successful integration, they have received the following:
1) Work permit
2) SIN number
3) Welcome card that gives them a bus pass, access to YMCA and orientation information.
4) They completed an English assessment
5) Referred to several employers as they are super keen to work.
6) We have registered the children in school. Waiting for next step to check documents at each school: Central Public School, Willow Rd Public School and GCVI.

Family # 2
A three-person family with a mother expecting another child had been staying in our shelter. They were selected to be beneficiary of ISGW temporary housing support. Given the mother is expecting and has a two- year-old child we felt it was prudent for us to support with a temporary housing solution. A 2-bedroom basement was arranged for the family to move in by December 23, 2024, till end of April 31, 2025. The unit
is fully furnished and even a crib was prepared since they are expecting new baby in March 2025. Since their move in date, the father started working and hopes to stay at his current residency.

ISGW staff and board of express our sincere appreciation for your generous contribution. With your help 7 children and one expecting mother are warm and safe tonight! It may not seem like a lot but imagine where they would be if you had not supported our mission to help newcomers who choose the City of Guelph
as their home!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

100WWCG has chosen Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington

100 Women Who Care Guelph (WWCG) has chosen Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington (ISGW) as our fourth charity of 2024 (our 10th year!) to receive its approximately $16,000 donation. The donation will provide emergency housing for asylum seekers in the cold winter months.

Since 1978, ISGW has been providing services to refugees and permanent residents to help make Guelph their home, serving 4800 clients last year. ISGW is also a bridge service for temporary housing to “asylum seekers” via a limited emergency fund.

An asylum seeker is …a person who has fled their home country and is seeking protection in another country because of persecution, war or violence (canadacomons.ca). Their claim for asylum is under evaluation, waiting on whether they will be granted refugee status. They do not have the all-important work permit.

Due to the current housing crisis, 61% of asylum seekers are housed in shelters, however shelters in Guelph (a destination “hot spot”) are at capacity. Families with children may have nowhere to turn and often arrive at the ISGW office on cold winter nights. Last year, 150 asylum seekers were families.

In addition to various shelters mentioned above, a few local hotels offer reduced nightly rates (also often at capacity). ISGW is also working with a non-profit that has a farmhouse in a rural setting and is willing to work cooperatively to provide affordable housing.

Unfortunately, due to the depletion of ISGW’s emergency fund and increasing number of families seeking refuge, without 100WWCG’s donation, it would be difficult to access emergency accommodation for those in need.

ISGW intends to use the donation to replenish its emergency fund to seek emergency accommodation for the growing number in need, spending less on hotels. Food and other living expenses would be provided by other charities or agencies.

Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to become a member and help support those in need in our community.

Hope House Guelph expresses their “Thank You” for our June 2024 donation!

Hope House Guelph Extends A Huge Thanks to 100 Women Who Care

It is so good to be back. My name is Jaya James and I have had the privilege of being
the Executive Director of Hope House Guelph since November 2016.

On June 24, 2024, I had the honour of presenting to you, on the affordability crisis that
so many in Guelph are facing. I shared how a growing number of Guelphites must make
increasingly difficult choices like choosing between paying rent and buying food.

Thanks to each and every one of you for purchasing milk and eggs for
distribution through nine food markets to 3,402 people including 469 older adults
(age 65+) 1,111 children and youth (age 0-17). Milk and eggs are core food needs for
most households providing essential nutrition.

With the generous support of 100 Women Who Care, Hope House has been able to
purchase thirteen weeks’ worth of milk and eggs to distribute to the food insecure
families that access our food markets. Each week you purchased 150 dozen eggs
($495) and 360 litres of milk ($840). Thank you for your kind generosity!

But even more impressive, this $17,000+ donation resulted in you crossing the
$500,000 mark in donations for local charities. That’s half a million dollars put to work in
support of fellow community members, friends, and families. A pretty impressive
accomplishment in 10 years.

At Hope House we know that poverty, food insecurity, and health are all interconnected. We also know that the opposite of poverty is community. We have seen people move into a better future as they are able to access the resources they need. That is why we embrace a collaborative approach in everything we do. By teaming up with over 20 organizations across different sectors, we make sure that under-resourced families have access to the essentials they need.

As one of the largest food security organizations in Guelph, Hope House has supported
over 6,100 vulnerable Guelphites to grow, succeed, and be healthy since April 1, 2024.
Last year we distributed close to $900,000 of groceries and meals through our nine food markets.

The values of dignity, belonging and empowerment are core to our mission and evident
through our distribution model. This can be seen in our onsite food market, which is set
up like a mini grocery store where people walk the aisles and select the items they
need. Almost every individual selects milk and eggs. As well, in partnership with the County of Wellington, Hope House offers farmers’ market style food markets in eight
social housing buildings. All these markets allow individuals the dignity of selecting their
own fresh produce, milk, eggs, dry goods and hygiene products for free.

We know these markets are making a difference. In our 2023 annual program survey
we learned that:
● 98% of respondents said Hope House was an important source of healthy food,
● 89% said accessing food from Hope House improved their eating habits, and
● 74% reported an improvement in their mental health after visiting Hope House.

The sad reality is that 18% of households in Guelph are food insecure. This means that
nearly 1 in 5 individuals are either worried about having enough food to eat, adjusting
their eating habits to fit tight budgets, or even skipping meals.

We know the solution to food insecurity is income security. This is why Hope House
continues to advocate for income security for all. You can learn more about income
security as the solution to food insecurity on the Guelph-Wellington Task Force for
Poverty Elimination website – https://www.gwpoverty.ca/food-insecurity/

Until income security for all is achieved, your efforts to support vulnerable individuals
and families in Guelph through your financial donations, through your food donations
and through volunteering your time will continue to ensure that no one goes hungry
within our community.

Thank you for making a difference for 3,402 individuals through your generous financial
support.

Warm with gratitude,

Jaya James
Executive Director – Hope House Guelph

June 2024 – Special Press Release to Mark Reaching $500,000 in Donations

100 Women Who Care Guelph Exceeds $500,000 in Donations

As 100 Women Who Care Guelph completes their 10^th year of giving with their most recent donation to Hope House Guelph, they have crossed the $500,000 mark in donations for local charities. That’s half a million dollars put to work in support of fellow community members, friends, and families.

The 100 Women concept has proven to be a powerful grassroots funding strategy that has spread around the globe. The Guelph chapter formed in October of 2014, arising from a conversation among friends who recognized the great need that exists in the community, matched with a great desire for people to contribute locally.

“The simplicity of the idea appealed to us,” says Sharon Lewis, one of the co-founders of the group. “We never really set a goal for the amount raised, but we knew the direction felt right.”

“When we began this endeavour, we had no idea how long it would last, or what kind of impact it would have, but we knew the potential was great. What we did have a healthy dose of optimism, some great energy, and lots of ideas to bounce around the room,” says Tannis Sprott, another co-founder.

That spirit has taken the group far. The inaugural meeting saw 98 members sign up. That number has grown over the decade to 175 members currently. Their unflagging commitment and generosity have meant so much to local charities, allowing them to dream a little bigger, and to reach even more people in need.

The group’s funds have supported 35 different charities, encompassing many of the issues facing our community from hospice care, food insecurity and mental health, to the library, gardening, and even the purchase of a horse for Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre!

The donation thermometer on the 100WWCG website was gleefully raised to $1,000,000 this week as the group launches into its second decade. New members are always welcome.

To learn more about this group of women who care deeply about our community and are passionate about contributing to its health and vitality, and the charities they have supported, visit their website at www.100womenwhocareguelph.com.

Press Release for June 2024 (Hope House Guelph)

100 Women Who Care Guelph Supports Hope House Guelph

100 Women Who Care Guelph has chosen Hope House as our fourth charity of 2024 (our 10th year!) to receive its over $17,000 donation. The donation will supply milk and eggs to approximately 3000 food insecure people in Guelph.

Hope House “offers services and programs that challenge the stigmas surrounding
poverty and allows community members to maintain their dignity and choice while
simultaneously providing them with tactile skills developed in a community
environment, creating long-term skills that facilitate self-sufficiency.” (hopehouseguelph.ca)

Among its various programs, Hope House, distributes both purchased and donated food through nine different food markets in Guelph to food insecure people. Unfortunately, most donated food is carbohydrate rich, lacking in foods (such as milk and eggs) that are high in protein and certain vitamins/minerals.

Hope House currently purchases 1000 eggs a week at wholesale prices and with
significant discounts, but can barely meet the current demand. Why? The number of food insecure people visiting Hope House food markets alone has grown from 3500 to 4700 people in under a year, and is still increasing by over 34%+ yearly.

The most significant reason for the increase in demand is the high cost of affordable
housing (which has tripled in recent years) for those on low incomes, working or not or
with complex needs. Although likely temporary, a 1000 person strike at a local food plant has significantly increased the number of people attending the food markets.

The $17,000+ donation would supply four to five months of milk and eggs to over 3000
Guelphites in this vulnerable community. Since demand is growing, without increases in
funding, Hope House may/will need to place people on a wait list. Reducing food
insecurity (to any degree) will help more people grow, succeed and be healthy.

Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to become a member and help support those in need in our community.

Guelph Wish Fund for Children offers a heartfelt “Thank You!”

Good evening, everyone.

I am deeply honored to be here tonight to express our heartfelt gratitude for your incredible generosity. On behalf of the Guelph Wish Fund for Children, I want to thank each and every one of you for your donation of $15,500. Your kindness and compassion have truly changed the lives of many children and their families, putting smiles on their faces and giving them hope and joy during challenging times.

*Jessica Hill, ED of Guelph Wish Fund for Children, offers her heartfelt thanks.*

Your support has made a profound impact on children like Arya, who is just one year old and suffers from a rare form of epilepsy known as KCNA2. Arya is one of only three cases in Canada and the youngest in the country. Her family needed a specialized monitor that alerts them when a seizure occurs, with the results going directly to her doctor. Thanks to your generosity, Arya’s family can now ensure her safety and well-being, giving them peace of mind and allowing them to focus on cherishing every moment with her.

Maisie, a four-year-old with Mosaic Trisomy 15, a rare chromosomal anomaly syndrome, has growth restrictions, congenital cardiac anomalies, and craniofacial dysmorphism. Maisie loves camping, and her family’s dream was to create lasting memories together in a camping trailer. Your donation made this dream a reality, allowing Maisie to experience the joy and adventure of camping, surrounded by
the love and laughter of her family, including her brother and sister.

Then there’s Weston, who needed a wheelchair lift for his home. Weston’s mobility challenges required significant adjustments to his living environment to ensure he could move around safely and independently. Your contribution provided him with the necessary lift, greatly enhancing his quality of life and enabling him to navigate his home with ease.

Owen, who was born with a cranial disorder, needed two helmets and underwent surgeries to correct his condition. Owen is now four years old and full of energy and enthusiasm. He had a simple wish: to have a water table and a rock climbing wall at home. Your generosity made this possible, bringing immense joy to Owen as he plays and explores, building his strength and confidence.

And finally, Liam, a 16-year-old with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, a genetic degenerative disease that affects his eyesight and development. Liam finds joy in playing with Lego and collecting vinyl records. His family also used some of his wish fund to go on a movie site tour at Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii during a family vacation. Seeing where some of his favorite movie scenes were filmed and the props up close, including the vehicle that Steven Spielberg himself used in a Jurassic movie, was a dream come true for him. Your support has allowed Liam to continue indulging in his passions, bringing happiness and a sense of normalcy to his life.

These stories are just a few examples of the countless lives you have touched with your kindness. Your donation is not just a financial contribution; it is a gift of hope, love, and joy. You have made dreams come true, provided comfort in times of need, and given these children and their families precious moments to cherish.

Thank you for believing in the mission of the Guelph Wish Fund for Children and for being a a bright light for these children. Your generosity reminds us all of the incredible power of community and compassion. Together, we are making a profound difference, one wish at a time.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you from all of us at the Guelph Wish Fund for Children.