The event organizing team members are joined by representatives from Finch Recreation and Carefor, the two organizations that were successful in their funding applications. From the left, front row: Erin Clark. Back row: Diane Kuipers (Carefor), Gloria Logtens, Gail Jackson, Nancy Wert, Rachelle Labelle, Chad Brownlee (Finch Recreation).  Thompson Goddard Photo

FINCH – One hundred and twenty-two women participated in the 100+ Women Who Care North Stormont fundraising event held in the Finch Community Centre on Thurs., Oct. 5.

The Finch Recreation Committee was the recipient of $10,000 in support of the Finch Recreation DC Vollrath Memorial Park Upgrade, with Carefor Health and Community Services receiving $2,200 for a revitalization project in the lounge at Carefor’s North Stor Seniors Support Centre in Finch.

“This event really highlights the number of amazing, caring people in our community. The power of many individuals coming together to provide funding for great local charities cannot be understated. We are so happy the caring women of North Stormont decided to support Finch recreation with their ambitious plan to expand DC Vollrath park into an accessible outdoor space for all ages. I also want to thank all the organizers who put together a great event and surpassed their fundraising goal. Without our amazing volunteers, things like this don’t happen,” commented North Stormont Coun. Alison McDonald.

“On behalf of the committee, we couldn’t be more pleased with the support … 122 participants … allowing us to donate $12,200 in just a little over an hour. There were four extremely well deserving organizations that presented their cause to the group. We congratulate The Finch Rec and Carefor Finch on being the successful recipients. We look forward to 2024 and paying it forward in our own communities,” said organizing team member Nancy Wert.

As the presentation portion of the evening began, Wert explained that the worldwide organization, of which North Stormont is now a registered member, began many years ago by a group of women who saw a need in their community and worked together to meet it. Each person provides $100 for which a tax receipt from the successful organization will be provided.

She continued how the criteria for participation in seeking funding from the event include the organization must be able to provide tax receipts, with the money used in North Stormont for a worthy need in the community.

Four community organizations submitted fundraising applications for consideration including Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire Catholic elementary school in Crysler, Finch Recreation, North Stormont Fire Department and Carefor Health and Community Services.

During a social hour, participants were able to visit with the organizations seeking funding and socialize with each other. Beginning promptly at 7:30 p.m., each group provided a three-minute timed presentation on their plans for the funding if successful, with voting following immediately after.

While the votes were tabulated, Avonmore Community Athletic Association president Sophie Branchaud made a presentation on the use of the $10,000 provided to the ACAA at the 2019 100+ Women Who Care North Stormont event. The funds were used as part of the Avonmore Community Park Project, which is almost completed. The ACAA thanked the community for their support as they “really could not have done it without this group.”

Angela Coleman,  the general manager at Conservation Ontario, then spoke on the power of collaboration. After mentioning the many dedicated volunteers in North Stormont, she noted how it is events like this one that demonstrates the power and importance of collaboration in a community.

Wert thanked organizations: Finch Recreation that “donated the hall and offered the ladies a complimentary beverage ticket.” Linda Vogel, of Linda’s Bookeeping for the donation of the lanyards, Gloria Logtens of Treats & Treasures for donating the dragon fly charm, Full Bellies for the donation of veggies and the General Store in Crysler, and CC Photography.

The organizing committee of Nancy Wert, Gail Jackson, Gloria Logtens, Erin Clark, and Rachelle Labelle are to be congratulated for the hard work done which led to this very successful event. The 2024 100+ North Stormont Women Who Care is planned to be held on Oct. 3, 2024.