Thanks to the influence of 100 Women Who Care and 100 Men Who Care groups, a new project is in the works which will allow youth and kids to make their own contributions to the community.
One hundred (people) who care groups are a quick fundraising method that aims to bring together 100 people, each with the intent of donating $100 to a chosen charity. The youth group will follow a similar format, but kids will bring $10 to each meeting and the meetings will occur twice a year versus four time a year.
“It’s modelled off of the 100 Women Who Care that’s in the community already. We just want to get as many kids involved as we can. The idea is to bring $10 to the meeting, and we will meet twice a year, maybe more depending on interest. We’re going to get $10, and when you bring that, you can bring a nomination for a charity that you’d like the money to go towards,” said Jesalyn Reimann, 17, one of three youth who will lead the group forward.
“At the meeting, you will vote which charity you’d like the money to go for that time. One hundred per cent of the money will go to the charity and we want to get as many kids involved as we can.”
In the format of 100 people who care groups, members vote on charities, people explain a bit about them and sometimes members of the organizations are invited to speak on behalf of their charity. For the 100 Kids Who Care project, numerous charities will be invited to set up booths to spread awareness during the event.
“What we would do is recognize the charity that’s been nominated, contact them prior to our event, and let them know that they’ve been nominated and then we will invite them to our event to set up the table and build awareness. It becomes more like a fair format, where kids can come to learn about different projects that are happening in the City. It’s also an outlet for those programs to maybe pick up some new volunteers,” explained Christine Slaymaker, a member of 100 Women Who Care, who brought the idea forward to her dance pupils.
“It’s kind of going to extend past a meeting and a group – there will be learning opportunities to so the kids can find out about what’s happening in the community.”
For the girls who are heading the project, this serves as an opportunity to demonstrate the impact that youth can have in the community. As well, they wish to show other youth that kids do have a voice and that voice can be heard.
“Being 17, people don’t really give you a voice. I want people to recognize that I can have an impact in the community. Even just donating $10, you feel a sense of accomplishment as an individual because it’s a part of something but it’s your individual contribution. Once you give that $10, it reminds you that you have value in the community too,” said Jenaea Reimann, 17, Jesalyn’s twin sister.
“It’s nice to be part of something bigger than yourself,” she added.
Between Jesalyn and Jenaea and Neelam Singh, the program is starting to bloom. All three girls have been selected to lead through their leadership roles in their dance community and their eager desire to see the community reap the benefits of whatever funds they can raise.
“I feel like people our age don’t necessarily get a huge voice in our community just because of how young we are. I thought it was a great way of showing our voices even more and a great thing that we could be a part of. I’m looking forward to the experience, but also the impact we can make. One hundred kids can make a big difference in our community,” Singh said.
“I’m only 15, so being able to be a part of something as amazing as this makes such a big difference. You don’t have to do it on your own – there is a bunch of people who want to do it with you, and you’re all striving to meet the same goal. I think it’ll be great to see what we accomplish in this group of people.”
The first meeting will not occur until fall with more details to come.
kmendonsa@reddeerexpress.com
