100 Women Peterborough has chosen Hearts 4 Joy to receive a donation of more than $10,000 that will support the artistic talents of young adults with intellectual exceptionalities.
The collective philanthropy group held its third meeting of the year on Tuesday (September 17) at Fleming College’s Steele Centre in Peterborough.
At each of its quarterly meetings, 100 Women Peterborough hears presentations from three non-profit organizations randomly drawn from a larger list of organizations nominated by the group’s members. Each member commits to donating $100, and the organization that gets the most member votes receives the collective donations.
The three organizations that presented to 100 Women Peterborough at September’s meeting were Community Counselling & Resource Centre. Hearts 4 Joy, and Peterborough Pregnancy Support Services, with Hearts 4 Joy chosen by majority vote to receive member donations.
Hearts 4 Joy is a non-profit organization that serves adults over the age of 21 who live with intellectual exceptionalities, including Down Syndrome, autism, and learning disabilities, by offering them a platform to explore and showcase their artistic talents.
“I am incredibly proud of our group for donating over $10,000 to this remarkable organization — it’s a testament to the power of collective giving and the impact we can have when we come together,” says Rosalea Terry, a founding member of 100 Women Peterborough, in a media release. “Hearts 4 Joy gave a touching presentation at our September meeting and this donation reflects our commitment to making a tangible difference in our community. The funds we’ve gathered will significantly boost Hearts 4 Joy’s mission, empowering individuals with intellectual exceptionalities.”
The organization began in 2020 in the backyard of one of its co-founders and current board members, Norma Christensen, and has now expanded to include 14 artists with intellectual exceptionalities who create unique hand-painted gift items which they sell at the Hearts 4 Joy Artisan Shoppe in downtown Peterborough’s Charlotte Mews.
“We are proud to nurture the talents of individuals with Down Syndrome, autism, and learning disabilities,” Christensen says. “With the generous support from 100 Women Peterborough, we hope to purchase a new kiln and expand our product line.”
According to Hearts 4 Joy co-founder Debbie Quinlan, the donation from 100 Women Peterborough will also be used for the organization’s first website, so Hearts 4 Joy can showcase its products, raise awareness about upcoming events, and facilitate monthly donations.
Since its formation in 2018, 100 Women Peterborough has collectively donated over $213,000 to 25 local organizations: YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, Vinnies Peterborough, 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, Camp Kawartha, the Teachers For Kids Foundation, and now Hearts 4 Joy.
100 Women Peterborough is part of a growing collective philanthropy movement that began in the United States in November 2006, when Karen Dunigan of Michigan formed the “100 Women Who Care” group. After their first meeting, those women raised over $10,000 for the purchase of 300 new baby cribs for a local organization. The movement has grown over the past 18 years to include groups of men, women, youth, and children around the world, with hundreds of chapters in Canada alone.
For more information about 100 Women Peterborough, visit www.100womenptbo.ca.
