At its second meeting this year, 100 Women Peterborough has chosen Camp Kawartha’s Kids in Need to receive member donations.
The collective philanthropy group met virtually on June 20 to raise funds for an organization in need. The group hears presentations from three organizations randomly drawn from a larger list of organizations nominated by the group’s members. The organization receiving the most votes from members receives the donations contributed by the group’s members.
The three organizations that presented to 100 Women Peterborough at June’s virtual meeting were Camp Kawartha, The Canadian Canoe Museum, and Fairhaven Foundation, with Camp Kawartha chosen by majority vote to receive the funds.
In Camp Kawartha’s presentation to the members in attendance, philanthropy coordinator Susan Ramey explained the importance of providing families with the opportunity to send their children to camp. Donations provide both partial and full subsidies for children of limited financial means to attend Camp Kawartha’s summer camp programs.
“We are immensely grateful to the 100 Women group for making the outdoors accessible to children and youth by supporting our subsidy fund,” says Camp Kawartha’s executive director Jacob Rodenburg in a media release. “Every child, no matter their circumstance, has the right to experience nature and the joys of the outdoors. With this important support from 100 Women we will be able to welcome summer campers and students whose families are facing financial challenges and help those kids to learn to care for each other and the earth we share.”
Camp Kawartha is an accredited, award-winning, not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to the promotion of the highest standard of programming. Established in 1921, Camp Kawartha has expanded into a year-round facility, offering day and overnight summer camps for children ages four to 17. They offer curriculum-linked outdoor and environmental education programs for students in grades K to 12 and facility rentals for meetings, workshops, group retreats, and conferences.
“100 Women Peterborough is honoured to be able to support another charity in our region, Camp Kawartha, with a timely donation as we head into the summer months when parents are looking for opportunities, experiences, and child care for their children,” says Wendy Hill, one of the founding members of 100 Women Peterborough. “We thank every organization that presents at our meetings, which serve as a unique way to learn more about the incredible charities and their important work in our region. Members always leave inspired and with a better understanding of each organization.”
The collective philanthropy movement began in the United States in November 2006, when Karen Dunigan of Michigan formed the “100 Women Who Care” group. After their first meeting, the women raised over $10,000 for the purchase of 300 new baby cribs for a local organization. The movement has grown over the past 17 years to include groups of men, women, youth, and children around the world, with hundreds of chapters in Canada alone.
Since its formation, 100 Women Peterborough has collectively donated more than $170,000 to 21 local organizations: Hospice Peterborough, Peterborough Youth Unlimited, One Roof Warming Room, New Canadians Centre, Cameron House, Five Counties Children’s Centre, Casa De Angelae, Lakefield Animal Welfare Society, Community Care Peterborough, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, Community Counselling and Resource Centre, Peterborough Pregnancy Support Services, Heads Up for Inclusion, Kawartha Youth Orchestra, Peterborough GreenUP, Bridges Peterborough, YMCA Strong Communities, Homeward Bound Peterborough, Good Neighbours Care Centre and Food Bank, PARN – Your Community AIDS Resource Network, and Camp Kawartha.
For the first time since the pandemic began, 100 Women Peterborough will hold an in-person meeting at 6 p.m. on September 19. Organizers invite those that are interested to attend the meeting to learn more about the collective philanthropy group, its impact in the region, and to connect with other like-minded women.
For more information about the upcoming meeting and to join 100 Women Peterborough, visit www.100womenptbo.ca.
