100 People Who Share Bruce County donates $11,000 to Bruce Botanical Food Gardens

100 People Who Share Bruce County has donated $11,000 to the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens in Ripley.

The group held its third meeting, and final one for 2017, Monday night at Ainsdale Golf Course, with 110 members.

Bill Pike, who began the group with his wife, Sharon, said that nine months ago, they had two members (him and his wife). They were challenged by their sons to spearhead 100 People Who Share, similar to a group their sons belong to in Hamilton.

At the inaugural meeting in April, they had 85 people. By July, it had grown to 104. Monday night, they had a membership of 110 people, each willing to write a cheque for $100 to the charity chosen by the group.

Sponsors of the organization include Ainsdale Golf Course, Bruce Power, Linda Bowers Real Estate, Larson and Shaw Industries, and Molson's.

July's donation of $10,105 went to the Huron Shores Hospice.



Peggy Zeppieri (left) and Cheryl Cottrill of Huron Shores Hospice, hold up the donation of $10,105 from the July meeting of 100 People Who Share Bruce County; with organizer Bill Pike

Cheryl Cottrill, chairperson of the steering committee, thanked the group for its contribution to this project.

"You really started something at that meeting," she said. "We've raised $150,000 since I was here. At the Handbags for Hospice event, we raised $137,000. We have been overwhelmed by the tremendous community support, and we expect to have the one-bed suite at Tiverton Park Manor open by late November or early December."

She said the donation from 100 People Who Share will go toward an electronic medication pump used in managing pain for the patient. "It's important to offer the best quality of life possible."

Pike said 100 People Who Share has received 11 nominations from groups and organizations that do great work in the community. The list can be found on-line at 100peoplewhoshare.ca

Of those 11, three were chosen at random to make their presentations.

First, was the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens in Ripley.

Nan Grant said the donated funds would be used for the operational costs of maintaining and developing new programs that work to the mission of addressing the issues of food insecurity, sustainable agriculture, and those faced by the small family farm. Such programs include how to grow food and cook food, and Garden-to-Table for youth.

The mandate is to showcase heirloom, very rare, endangered and world food plants, and helping to determine varieties that would grow well in the area, The gardens are an agri-tourism site, hosting thousands of visitors, especially in the last two years. They are a teaching and learning space for visitors and area residents, providing information on healthy eating, local food and sustainable agriculture. They provide a Living Marketplace, which means anyone can come and pick the produce in season. This is especially important given the rising cost of groceries and the increased food insecurity of many of our residents, including many children and seniors.

The food gardens are committed to increasing local food security especially since the Grey Bruce Health Unit recently reported that 15 per cent of the region's residents are in need, as compared to 12 per cent province-wide.

Next, was Wayne Wedow of Victim Services of Bruce-Grey-Perth, based in Owen Sound.

He outlined the 24/7 service for victims of crime in the three counties. In partnership with emergency services, community agencies and the people it serves, the agency provides assistance to victims of crime and tragic circumstance, develops partnerships designed to enhance support to victims, and educates and promotes awareness regarding victimization.

As a volunteer, himself, Wedow, knows the rigorous training program that volunteers undergo to be part of this agency. They have to be prepared to assist anyone impacted by crime or tragic circumstances. The agency responds primarily at the request of police services to assist victims of crimes, such as homicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, assault, and break-and-enter, as well as tragic circumstances, such as sudden death, motor vehicle collisions, and suicide.

The third speaker, was Don Farrell of the Pine River Watershed Initiative Network (PRWIN).

The mission of the Ripley-based organization is to work toward clean water and a healthy ecosystem within the Pine River watershed.

Its goals are to research, organize and participate in projects designed to improve and preserve the environment as it relates to the Pine River Watershed and the Township of Huron-Kinloss; to educate and increase the public’s understanding of the Pine River Watershed and its importance by offering courses, seminars, conferences and meetings and by collecting and disseminating information on that topic; to provide information to the public on existing or new programs and funding which can improve the Pine River Watershed; and to assist other like-minded environmental groups where possible to achieve “clean water and a healthy ecosystem."

Farrell said the group has planted 268,00 trees, and completed numerous fencing projects, cattle-crossings, berms, and most recently, a Rain Garden in Ripley. The requested funding would go toward the spring, 2018, tree seedling planting project.

Pike thanked all the presenters. He noted that the three meetings in 2018 will be held the last Monday of April, July and October. The first two would be at Ainsdale Golf Course. For the October meeting, there were two options: Ainsdale or the Saugeen Valley Children’s Safety Village near Walkerton. After a vote, the majority agreed to meet at Ainsdale in October as well.

Raffle tickets were sold, raising another $265, with the following winners, Norma Jean Rhody, Wayne Wedow, and Deborah MacDonald.

Finally, Pike announced that the 100 People Who Share donation of $11,265, was going to the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens.

Grant thanked the group and invited the members to the gardens next spring to watch their donation grow.



Bill Pike (right) of 100 People Who Share Bruce County, congratulates Nan Grant of the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens in Ripley which received a donation of $11,265, Monday night, at Ainsdale Golf Course



Peggy Zeppieri (left) and Cheryl Cottrill of Huron Shores Hospice hold up their cheque which shows the total from the first two meetings,of $18,805 donated; the first donation was to the Women`s House Serving Bruce and Grey