A group of women from the Sea to Sky region are finding a common ground in their mission to give back to the community.
The 100 Women Who Care Sea to Sky chapter launched on April 19 at the Executive Suites Hotel and Resort with meetings planned later in the year for Whistler and Pemberton.
Catherine Trueman was inspired on a trip to Kelowna when she noticed a story in their newspaper about a local chapter.
Her first thought was, “we have the kind of community that can do that.” A quick Google search revealed the Sea to Sky wasn’t yet pooling resources to make a difference.
The Squamish resident who founded the chapter last month said, “This is a sizeable donation that for some non-profits is miracle-making. We can be the women who make a difference.”
In fact, her daughter wants to start a children’s chapter in the fall.
The goal is to raise over $40,000 annually. At meetings held four times a year, each member donates $100 resulting in a total of $10,000 given to a local charity or non-profit the group chooses. Funds go straight to the charity and members receive an individual tax benefit.
The organization has over 400 chapters across the world. It began in 2006 in Michigan with one woman’s mission to supply new mothers in need with cribs. In one hour, she and her friends were able to raise $12,800. Then, the first group was formed.
Trueman said chapters are self-run with the first event boasting near 65 people.
“Ideally, we will get to 100 women by the end of the month,” she said, hoping to be 100-plus by the end of the year.
Executive Suites donated the space and Trueman is currently looking for more community partnerships to help the cause.
“I am a firm believer in supporting the community,” she said. “All we needed to do was collaborate.”
