“People’s generosity is incredible!” – Adelle Densham, co-chair 100+ Caring Women in North Stormont

Dedicated group of organizers
Shortly after the conclusion of the evening, the organizing committee gathered with Eric Duncan who guided the group through the process of facilitating the successful 100+ Caring Women in North Stormont held at North Stormont Place in Avonmore on Thurs., Oct. 3. From the left, Erin Hopkins, Gloria Logtens, Joanne Gagne-Brown, Adelle Densham, Eric Duncan, Barb Renaud, Nancy Wert and Rachel Labelle. Thompson Goddard photo

AVONMORE – It was quite the evening at North Stormont Place in Avonmore on Oct. 3, when the 100+ Caring Women in North Stormont held their first event. Nancy Wert, who with Adelle Densham co-chaired the committee which organized the event, commented that 106 women signed up to donate $100 each to a community organization seeking to undertake a project that would benefit the municipality. Wert and Densham were assisted in the planning and execution of this first event by former North Dundas mayor and current Conservative candidate in the upcoming federal election Eric Duncan who has been an active planner in the successful 100 Women Who Care North Dundas and the 100 Men Who Care North Dundas events. Wert explained that the organizing committee had representatives from all areas of North Stormont who worked together to plan and execute a successful philanthropic evening.

Upon entering North Stormont Place, there was an air of community togetherness and friendliness throughout the hall. While enjoying the light refreshments and visiting, participants were able to view the booths of the three organizations which were seeking funds for community projects. The Roxborough Agricultural Society was looking for funds to purchase bleachers and plant trees at the Avonmore Fairgrounds; the Winchester & District Memorial Hospital Foundation was seeking assistance in purchasing a trauma stretcher and the Avonmore Community & Athletic Association was seeking community support for Phase I of a plan to create a playground structure and to replace the condemned structure near the swimming pool. Nancy Wert invited the three organizations to provide a presentation to the women present, after which guests voted to fund the project of their choice. 

Guest speaker Eric Duncan thanked the organizing team for the dedication that resulted in $10,600 being raised for projects in the local community. He explained how this method of fundraising has enjoyed considerable success in other locations before mentioning how 100 per cent of the money goes directly to the winning organization for projects in the local community. He continued that a benefit of these types of events is that they increase the awareness of local initiatives and can lead to people coming forward in assisting those who may have been unsuccessful in their fundraising bid.

After what seemed like record time for voting and tallying the results, Wert invited representatives of the organizations participating, onto the stage before announcing the ACAA had been successful in their bid, receiving $10,000 for Phase I of the playground renewal project. Winchester & District Memorial Hospital Foundation received $600 toward the purchase of a trauma stretcher.

Carolyn Thompson Goddard

Carolyn Thompson Goddard, grew up in Chesterville and attended North Dundas District High School. After completing her BA in Political Science at Carleton University she has worked as a medical secretary and library technician. In 2020 she graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Journalism and has been a reporter and column writer for The Chesterville Record for over 10 years.