Women's House receives first donation from 100 People Who Share Bruce County

Ainsdale Golf Course, on Highway 21 south of Kincardine, was the place to be Monday night, for the inaugural meeting of 100 People Who Share Bruce County.

There were about 85 members of the group assembled, each prepared to hand over a cheque for $100 for the chosen charity, which was Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey.

Bill Pike, organizer of this new donor organization, explained the procedure. There were an incredible nine nominations from charitable groups, he said, but only three would be listed on the board. Through a draw, the nine were reduced to three: Wes For Youth, the Kincardine Rotary Club's project to install musical instruments in Rotary Park, and Women's House.

Each of these three was allowed a brief outline of the group or project, after which the members voted.

Pike represented Wes For Youth which is an on-line counselling organization based in Walkerton. It is named after a young man who didn't have any help and committed suicide. The on-line service is available 24/7, offering trained counsellors who are prepared to help from the other end of that computer or text message.

Chuck Edey, president of the Kincardine Rotary Club, said the group wants to give back to the community by installing an ensemble of balanced, tuned instruments which are designed for the outdoors, in Rotary Park, located along Huron Terrace, across from Kincardine Harbour. The club hopes these musical instruments will attract more children to the park. The project is being done this year to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary, as well as the 100th anniversary of Rotary.

Deb Krulicki spoke of the services at Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey, and the many needs of the shelter that assists women and children in crisis. Among those needs, are: soundproofing so that those whose trust has been broken might tell their stories in safety with increasing confidence; towels, washcloths, bed sheets and crib sheets; a coffee table for the clients' living room; a kitchen table for the clients' kitchen; shoe storage by the front door; a dresser and night stand for an additional bedroom; high-efficiency laundry detergent and dryer sheets; pajamas, jogging suits and underwear; adult's and children's over-the-counter medication, such as Gravol, Tylenol, Pedialite, and sunscreen; treats, such as candy, ice cream and chips, that are not covered in the food budget.

"There's a sign on the wall in the women's shelter that says, 'When you are here, you are safe'," said Krulicki. "I am a survivor. I was a child who did not grow up in a safe place. These women and children need to know they are safe."

When the vote was completed, the majority had selected Women's House which received the donation of about $8,500, including $300 in proceeds from the raffle of a beer fridge donated by Molson's. Other sponsors for the evening included Taylor and Charles Candler of Ainsdale, Progressive Results Group, and Bruce Power.

Pike thanked everyone for attending, and said the next two meetings for 2017 will be held in July and October, at Ainsdale.

He also thanked his sons, Jeremiah and Nate, who started the 100 Men Who Give a Damn organization in Hamilton. "They were my inspiration, and they challenged me to make a difference in our community."

And he thanked his wife, Sharon, for her assistance, as well as Kincardine downtown manager Rick Clarke for his help; and to Crystal Morais and Mike Bunker for running the raffle draw. Winners of two sports bags, were Chuck Edey and Lou Battaino, while Amanda Farrell Walsh won the beer fridge.

"I'm so pleased with the turn-out," said Pike. "Three months ago, this didn't exist, and now we have 85 people who want to make a difference in their community. That's incredible. In July, it will be more fun as we hear what the Women's House did with the donation, before proceeding with the next round of voting."

100 people - 1 hour - $10,000 - local impact

For more information, or to join, visit the website at: www.100peoplewhoshare.ca