A local charity is almost $5,000 richer today thanks to (almost) 100 Men Who Care Penticton.
The Penticton and District Hospice Society was one of three organizations which made presentations to the fledgling club at its second meeting Wednesday at the HNZ Top Flight training centre.
(read more: 100 Men Who Care starts up in Penticton)
The male-only club holds quarterly sessions, hearing from three random non-profit groups and then decides which one gets the 80 per cent proceeds of the $100 donated by each of its members.
The vote at the end of presentation was in favour of the hospice society while the other two groups, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Oliver Osoyoos Search and Rescue each received $590.
“Just a huge thanks to them. For all of us non-profits the money is very much appreciated,” said Ann Collins, who made the presentation on behalf of the society. “They asked for a specific place where the money was going and we assured them it was going to go for our grief counselling for children, which is a program not a lot of people know that we do and not many people in the area are doing.”
The society is steward of the Moog and Friends Hospice House and the Bereavement Resource Centre.
“There is such a need in the community and it’s something not many people feel comfortable talking about and this will really help,” said Collins.
Membership in the 100 Men Who Care organization has grown to 64 since its inaugural meeting in June and Bruce Tawse is hoping they will reach their goal of 100 or more by the January get together.
“It’s a quick and easy way for men to come together and make a big impact and I guess a little bit of camaraderie,” said Tawse. “It’s an opportunity for busy people who don’t have the time to get involved in fundraising, to learn about some charities that they may not know about and help.”
He added the beauty of the group is it is only a one-hour commitment every three months, plus the $100.
There is no overhead and all of the money goes to the needy organizations.
Eligible charities can be from Summerland to Osoyoos, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Kaleden, Cawston, Princeton and Keremeos.
A similar organization, 100 Women Who Care has also been operating in this area for the past two years and its next meeting is Dec. 1 at the Bufflehead Pasta and Tapas Room.
To join or for more information visit 100menpenticton.com or by phone at 250-493-9311.