June 24th Meeting Update

Photo Courtesy of Crista Renner

June 24th marked the end of the 10th year of meetings for 100 Women Who Care Guelph!  Once again, we had a full room of attendees.  The meeting kicked off with a thank you to our generous meeting space sponsors – Sandra Lastovic at Skip the Bank and Delta Hotels.

We celebrated our 3 year and 5 year pin recipients (22 members for 3 years and 25 members for 5 years) and one of our recipients was in attendance and recognized.   Currently membership is at 176, with 170 pledging donations.  Our “thermometer” update reflected $496,516 donated to date, and with donations pouring in at the close of the meeting, we crossed the $500,000 threshold.

Our three nominated charities were:

Hope House Guelph: Nominated by Terrie Jarvis, Presentation by Jaya James

Jaya spoke about the impact that lack of affordable housing is having on our community.  Guelph is one of the most expensive cities in Canada in which to live, and many people are having to choose between shelter and food.  Hope House Guelph helps to address this food insecurity through their 9 food markets.  Jaya shared that many of the donations received through other charitable organizations are carbohydrates.  Hope House Guelph augments these donations by providing milk and eggs.  Their supplier is Equality Foods where they receive wholesale pricing and a 22% discount. In the last year alone there has been a 34% increase in demand and over the last 4 years expenses have increased from $50,000 to $300,000. If selected, the donation would go towards supplying these essential foods for 4-5 months (approximately 3000 people).

Guelph Community Health Centre – Pathways to Remembering: Nominated by Dianne Dance, Presentation by Jean Hopkins and Karen Lomax

This was the second time this year that Guelph Community Health Centre – Pathways to Remembering was presented. Jean and Karen reminded us of the terrible toll from drug poisoning death.  Last year 27 people in Guelph lost their lives in the last year, an increase of 17% over the previous year.  Their loved ones deal not only with tremendous loss, but also face the stigma often associated with drug poisoning death.  Karen shared her personal story of how community support can make an incredible difference.  Pathways to Remembering is a memorial meant to give a sanctuary to remember and grieve loved ones, and also provide a signal to the community that we stand together in support.  To date $17,000 of the required $50,000 has been raised to build the memorial.  If selected, the donation would be used towards completing the memorial in time for Overdose Awareness Day in August 2025.

Chalmers Community Service Centre: Nominated by Ali Jukes, Presentation by Janet Wood

Janet shared that Chalmers Community Service Centre began 27 years ago supporting single men in the downtown area.  In 2014 this grew to supporting families, and now 60% of the guests at Chalmers Community Service Centre are children.  Their services include nutritional food, hygiene products, Christmas bags, and clothes mending and tailoring.  Janet spoke to the growing food insecurity in our community and the need for fresh produce. Demand has grown by 30%. If selected, the donation would be used to provide groceries to their guests as they are currently having to turn people away.

Our Chosen Charity

Hope House Guelph
https://www.hopehouseguelph.ca

If you haven’t sent in your $100 donation yet, please do so by July 8th.  Remember there are two ways to make your donation:

1) Online at our 100WWCG Fundraising Page (please add $4 for processing fee)

OR

2) Send a cheque to Liz Brant (made out to Hope House Guelph) at 10 Wood Duck Court Guelph ON N1C 1B1

Thank you from Guelph Wish Fund for Children (our April charity)

Jessica Hill from Guelph Wish Fund for Children, our selected charity in April, updated the group. The charity was also featured in the Globe and Mail.  Jessica shared the impact the $15,500 donation made:

  • Aria suffers from a rare form of epilepsy.  Her family was able to purchase a monitor that would alert her family and doctor of seizures.  Previously one of her parents had to sleep with her.
  • Macy loves camping.  Through the donations, her family was able to purchase a camper trailer.
  • Weston, who is a wheelchair, can navigate his home more easily based on changes his family was able to make.
  • Owen received a rock-climbing wall and water table in his home.
  • Liam fulfilled his dream by taking the movie site tour of his favourite films in Hawaii.

She thanked 100WWCG for the gift of love, hope and joy that comes with precious memories.  For Jessica’s full comments, please click here

Photo Courtesy of Crista Renner

Thank you for your continued generosity, involvement and passion!
The 100WWCG Team

Sharon, Tannis, Lisa, Peggy, Dianne and Denise