One hundred women, one hour and one powerful gift — that’s all it took for 100 Women Who Care Niagara-on-the-Lake to turn small donations into a big impact for Hospice Niagara last Wednesday.
At the group’s inaugural meeting at Hare Wine Co. winery, around 150 members each pledged $100 and voted to decide which charity would receive the group’s first $15,100 donation.
Members nominated charities, and the organizing committee — co-founders Julia Buxton-Cox, Penny Milligan and Audrey Pellett — randomly selected three, then asked their representatives to give a five-minute presentation outlining how the donation would make a difference for their organization.
Hospice Niagara executive director Carol Nagy, Willowbank School of Restoration Arts board student representative Julia Hodgson and NOTL Museum community engagement co-ordinator Barbara Worthy each gave a presentation.
The group announced in an Oct. 23 news release that Hospice Niagara received the donation.
“Our work is about helping people live well, not just at the end of life, but through all the moments in between,” Nagy said in the release.
“Because palliative care isn’t about giving up. It’s about living with comfort, meaning and dignity, no matter how much time is left.”
The new giving circle plans to hold four donation nights a year. It thanked the winery for hosting the event and Commercial Digital Print for providing the presentation cheque.
Those interested in joining can email 100WomenNOTL@gmail.com.
