South Coast Special Needs Kids

South Coast Special Needs Kids (Presentation by Bettyann Carty) was the successful recipient of $17,200.

South Coast Special Needs Kids is a registered charity who serves 35-40 children & young adults in Norfolk County. There motto is “Every Kid Can”. This group organizes special outings such as hockey, bowling, baseball, golf, etc. Although the parents obtain some governement assistance, these extra-curricular programs are NOT funded. South Coast Special Needs Kids will spend this money on a new golf cart and new sledges for hockey. This will bring their fleet of golf carts to a total of two (2). The current cart resides at Springview Farms Golf Course. Bettyann Carty finished her presentation by saying, “How has your golf game been lately? Does it matter to you if your score is good or bad? The important part is that you are sharing your time with a friend. That is what purchasing this special golf cart will mean to several special needs kids. Sharing their golf game with a friend.”

Two other charities also presented: Purrfect Companions of Norfolk (Angie Grice), Norfolk Community Help Centre (Marilyn Antkiw)

Church Out Serving

Church Out Serving (Presentation by Diane Luke) was the successful recipient of $17,300. This money will be used towards the purchase of a commercial-grade fridge/freezer.

This non-profit, faith based organization has purchased the old LCBO building in Simcoe and are renovating it to welcome individuals to an innovative food hub which will include a cafe, a marketplace and a commercial teaching kitchen. They are bringing people and food together in a safe, friendly, welcoming enironment. As food insecurity continues to be an issue in Norfolk County (11.6% or 7,500 people of the popoulation are not able to secure food on a regular basis), this group has found a way to better utilize Norfolk’s largest asset: food. Local farmers often find they have surplus produce which is unsuitable for sale because it is imperfect. E.g. too small, too large, blemished or not the right shape. This innovative approach to sourcing, preparing and deliverying food to those in need is a creative way to bring our community together. Riversye 83 will welcome those customers who can pay as well as those who cannot pay. They are also offering a “Pay It Forward” option.

Riversyde 83 is expected to open late 2017.

There were two (2) other well-deserving charities represented at this meeting:

1. Puurfect Companions presented by Angie Grice
2. St. Joseph’s Lifecare Foundation presented by Vera Abbott

Norfolk Senior Support Services

Norfolk Senior Support Services (Presentation by Cynthia Stuart) was selected to receive $16,800. Senior Support Services will use this donation to help fund a new handicapped accessible van to replace the one which was recently taken off the road due to safety concerns. As an added bonus, the Senior Support Services Organization will showcase 100 Women Who Care Norfolk on the exterior of the van, as a reminder to all Norfolk residents on how our group positively impacts our community. In the last 6 months alone, 2600 trips were taken by 1470 seniors, 92 disabled adults and 102 clients in wheelchairs. These trips took these folks to medical appointments, adult day programs, shopping trips, to social events, and other activities. Cynthia also highlighted that this van will be bought and serviced in Norfolk.

There were two (2) other well deserving charities represented at tonight’s meeting: 1. Norfolk Community Help Centre presented by Marilyn Antkiw and 2. Purrfect Companions presented by Angie Grice.

Haldimand-Norfolk Women’s Services

Haldimand-Norfolk Women’s Services (Presentation by Lauren Harrington) was chosen as the recipient of $16,300. HNWS will use this money for a program called “Supportive Mothering”. This program is run in cooperation with the Children’s Aid Society (CAS). A 16 week program is offered 4 times per year (if funding is available) to women who have experienced abuse / have been a victim of violence and who have children. The results from previous programs has been profound and we heard (via a letter written to Women’s Services) from one young women with a small child who completed the program with a renewed sense of confidence and self worth.

Other presentations made were in support of Purrfect Companions of Norfolk (Angie Grice) and Lynnwood Arts Centre (Brendalee Englehardt).

Indwell Hambleton Hall

Indwell Hambleton Hall (presentation made by Barbara Gulabsingh) was the successful recipient and will receive $16,200. Indwell Hambleton Hall is a non-profit charitable organization serving those seeking health and wellness through affordable supportive housing. There are 40 units being built in Simcoe with a move-in date of October 2016. The funds will be used to help furnish these units at a cost of approximately $2,000 per unit. This now brings our total donated (since May 2014) to just under $150,000!

Presentations were also made on behalf of Norfolk Community Help Centre (Marilyn Antkiw) and Habitat for Humanity Brant/Norfolk (Catherine Lawrence).

Alzheimer’s Society of Halimand-Norfolk

Three passionate presentations were given with the successful recipient being the Alzheimer’s Society of Halimand-Norfolk (Diane Holmes). The Alzheimer’s Society will use the $16,100 raised for the “Music & Memories” Program and the new Art Therapy Program. These programs reach hundreds of Norfolk residents and will inspire those suffering from Alzheimers by giving them the outlet to express themselves, connect with their feelings and emotions while gaining self-esteem. These programs also assist the caregivers as they provide an alternate activity which has long-lasting positive effects.

Presentations were also made on behalf of the Norfolk Senior Support Services (Cynthia Stuart) and Norfolk Women’s Support Services (Lauren Harrington). We encourage these women to let these nominations stand for a future meeting.

The Canadian Mental Health Association

We did it again! The Canadian Mental Health Association located in Simcoe was the successful recipient of $14,800. This puts us nicely over the $100,000 milestone at $114,600! We are proud to say that we have significantly made a positive impact to our local community.

The CMHA’s mission is to “strive to provide services to people with mental disorders and to enhance, maintain and promote the mental health of individuals in our community”. The funds raised will be used for three (3) specific public education programs which will benefit 200-250 people in Norfolk County.

The two (2) other charities represented at the Feburary meeting were the Alzheimer’s Society and the Simcoe Women’s Services Organization.

The Cancer Support & Research Program

Amazing! The Cancer Support & Research Program (CSRP) of Norfolk County will receive $14,800! Their mandate is to provide support to those facing cancer with a wide range of options to address specific needs. “Facing cancer with courage” is their message while “making memories” is what they do.

A night out at a movie or dinner with family, offering a video camera to capture fun moments or facilitating travel plans to visit family are examples of what the organization has done in the past to help “make memories”. They also offer financial assistance by providing gift cards for groceries or gas as the burden on the cancer patient and their families can be great, especially when the treatments are outside Norfolk County. To learn more about the program visit their web site at http://www.csrp.ca/.

The two (2) other charities which presented were the MS Society and Senior Support Services.

Since May 2014, 100 Women Who Care Norfolk has raised $99,800 for local Norfolk Charities! What an accomplishment!

The Norfolk Pregnancy Centre

Outstanding! The Norfolk Pregnancy Centre will receive $14,600 to purchase additional programming material and expand their services into Delhi. This organization provides leadership, guidance and support to young women and men as they embark on a new phase of life. Professional volunteers are available to offer assistance on an as needed basis.

Two (2) other presentations were made: The MS Society Grand Erie Chapter and the Waterford Heritage Trail Foundation.

Since May 2014, the Norfolk Chapter has raised $85,000 for local charities.

Simcoe Special Olympics

We did it again! We raised $15,400 for Simcoe Special Olympics. The donated funds will be used for transportation to and from competition venues outside of Simcoe, accommodations for qualifying athletes and coaches (E.g. Recent Vancouver National Games and Montreal swim competition), uniforms and equipment for the various sports and finally, it will help to fund the expansion into basketball, bocce ball, track and curling. Deana Hill presented on their behalf.

The other two (2) well-deserving charities who presented were: The Alzheimer’s Society and Habitat for Humanity.

This meeting marked our first anniversary. Including this meeting, we have now raised over $70,000 for Norfolk County Charities.