
October 22, 2018 · 0 Comments
By Jasen Obermeyer
A new initiative will teach youth in Dufferin County philanthropy and community engagement; that initiative is the 100 Kids Who Care Dufferin.
The group’s first meeting will take place this Sunday (Oct. 21) at The Maples Academy beginning at 5:00 p.m., and is one of four they will host every year.
Youth attending will nominate charities from the community prior to the event night, with the top three nominators to present information to the group. Each child in attendance will bring $10 and vote for one of the charities, the winner being presented with a cheque for $1000 at the end of the one-hour event.
Co-organizer and High Country United Church Rev. Janet Jones explained that the group was inspired after attending the first 100 Women Who Care Dufferin meeting earlier this year. “You don’t see many for kids, and I’m very youth focused.”
Chapters for 100 Women Who Care have been increasing in popularity across Ontario, including Burlington, Mississauga, and Caledon. There are also chapters set up for businesses, and men.
Ms. Jones said that so far, over 40 kids have registered for the first meeting. “We’re doing really well for the first one.”
She explained the kids could gain a sense of giving back to the community in a way they didn’t think they could before. “It’s one thing to give $10 to a charity that you’re really passionate about, but it’s another to collectively give $1000 to a charity. It’s making those small dollars make a big impact.”
All children from Dufferin County between the ages of 5 to 18 are welcome to attend.
Lara Hann 10, Ryan Hann 12, Evelyn Jones 15, Justin Logan 17 and Ben Milone 14 will serve as Ambassadors for the program helping to spread the word throughout the community and their peers. “The goal is to get the kids to be able to do this all by themselves,” said Ms. Jones.
She added they can learn about local organizations, and “open their eyes and hearts to new possibilities in their lives.”
The nominees are Parkinson Society, Streams Community hub, and St. Vincent de Paul Society. For more information, visit www.100kidswhocaredufferin.weebly.com.