Category: Results

Just under 50 members attended the November 9th 2022 meeting at the Army, Navy, Airforce Building in Simcoe.

The successful recipient was Friends of the Library Norfolk presented by Nancy Sherwin.  The $16,700 will be used to fund the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program.

There are currently 412 children registered, with 50 on the waiting list.  Since launching this program in Norfolk January 2018, 17,000 books have reached the hands of these children.  It costs $50 per child per year; therefore, this money will ensure many more books are read over the next several years by children across Norfolk County.  Dolly Parton believes that if you can read, you can do anything, dream anything and be anything.

The other 2 charities who presented at this meeting were Lynnwood Arts (Mary Winter) and Waterford Skate Park (Jill Chuli).

What an accomplishment by 100 Women Who Care Norfolk!  How did we do it?  One hundred dollars ($100) four times per year x 165 members x 8 years. (Membership has fluctuated since 2014 but is currently 165 members).  Who has benefited?    33 Norfolk Charities who service thousands of Norfolk residents.

The most recent recipient at our August 2022 meeting of $16,500 is Youth Unlimited/YFC Norfolk (presented by Julia Easey).

Their mission is, “We see the hope and potential in every young person”.  Youth Unlimited/YFC is committed to helping youth develop holistically by offering programs and developing relations that nurture the whole person – physically, mentally, emotionally, socially & spiritually.  All programs are free and use different community volunteers to help lead the youth…whether it be practically by learning new skills, physically by providing food or spiritually.

Sarah Rutledge, Youth Centre Director says, “This money will be used to improve our kitchen and washroom facilities.  Our washroom facilities are not currently wheelchair accessible.  The labour will be provided by volunteers. We are so grateful for this financial infusion.  It will make a huge improvement at our location….we are thrilled.” Youth Unlimited/YFC Norfolk is located at 32 Union Street in Simcoe.

The other 2 charities who presented were:  Friends of the Library Norfolk – Dolly Parton Imagination Library (Nancy Sherwin) and Purrfect Companions of Norfolk (Angie Grice).

The successful selected charity at the May 2022 meeting was the Cancer Support and Resource Program (CSRP) which was presented by Bettyann Carty.  This local program will get a boost of $16,500 which will be spent on food/gas vouchers for families as they travel to and from hospitals for treatments, bill payments (hydro/gas), parking passes at hospitals, mattresses, and home essentials for bedridden patients.  This program does what it can to make the lives of cancer patients and their families comfortable and as stress free as possible.

The CSRP is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting those touched by cancer to take charge of their choices and to locate the appropriate resources. They assist families connect with government & community agencies, institutions, businesses, service groups and individuals.  And through peer and support groups, they offer a wide variety of emotional and supportive services.  50 to 100 families are helped each year, all the staff are volunteers, and all of this money will remain in Norfolk County and help Norfolk residents.

The other 2 charities who presented were:  St. Bernard of Clairvaux School (Joannie Rell)  and Youth Unlimited/YFC Norfolk (Julia Easey).

In February 2022, 164 Norfolk ladies met “virtually” and selected the Norfolk Refugee Committee as the recipient of $16,400.  While the NRC has sponsored 3 families since 2016, these funds will be used to help support a family of five (5) currently living in Jordan.

This family fled Syria when their town was bombed repeatedly by rebel forces.  The family initially fled to a refugee camp at the Jordanian border but subsequently moved into Jordan to live with another refugee family.    As refugees in Jordan, they have experienced persecution and discrimination.  Schooling has been difficult and intermittent, and the children have been attacked.
Coming to Simcoe, their lives will literally be saved and transformed.
These funds will cover approximately 60% of the first years rent until such time as the family is able to get settled and look for employment.
The family has been vetted and approved by the Canadian Government for immigration to Canada as refugees and they should arrive within the next few months.
This presentation was submitted by Linda Bird.  The other two presentations selected for consideration were Port Dover & Area Lifeline Food Bank (Anita Hillis-Krause) and Simcoe Composite School (Patricia Hall).

Since 2014, 100 Women Who Care Norfolk has donated $481,100 to 31 Norfolk Charities.

Once again, more than 160 women in Norfolk County came together virtually in November 2021 and selected the Lynn Valley Trail Association as the recipient of $16,700.

This money is a significant contribution for the Lynn Valley Trail Association and will be used towards the refurbishment of the Rotary Bridge.  Following an engineering study, it was discovered that significant work needs to be completed on the bridges columns and supports.  Without this work, the bridge would continue to deteriorate and would ultimately need to be taken out of use.  In addition, the current access ramps need to be replaced.  This will provide a safer transition from trail to bridge for all users.

The Lynn Valley Trail was established in 1993, is currently supported by more than 500 members and many volunteers.  Since COVID, the trails use has increased significantly to more than 10,000 people monthly.  A PSW in Port Dover says, “Spending time on the trail, surrounded by nature has provided a quiet refuge.  Walking in town is overwhelming but the peace & tranquility allows my clients to decompress and relax. The trail offers this community a much-needed emotional relief.”

The presentation was submitted by members Diane Luke, Karen Davis and Helen Wagenaar.  The other two presentations submitted were Delhi Public School (Kirby Steinhoff) and Friends of the Library (Nancy Sherwin).

As local charities continue to need support, 100 Women Who Care Norfolk remains committed to giving back to our Norfolk Community.  Since 2014, more than $464, 000 has been donated to 30 local charities.

August 2021 – 100 Women Who Care Norfolk selected St. Paul’s Community Hall as the successful recipient of $16,800.  Although COVID has changed how we meet, it has not diminished our ability to step forward and give back to our Norfolk Community.

The Multi-Sensory Environment (Room) is being constructed at St. Paul’s Community Hall in Port Dover.  The presentation was submitted by members June Dorie and Lynda Bird.  The other two presentation submitted were Delhi Public School (Kirby Steinhoff) and St. Bernard’s of Clairvaux Catholic Elementary School in Waterford (Joannie Rell).

St. Paul’s Community Hall offers a variety of community outreach programs which support and enrich individuals socially, physically, and mentally.  One such program is the creation of a Snoezelen Multi-Sensory Environment (room).

This room (the only one in Norfolk County) is currently under construction and is expected to be complete later this fall.  While the target audience is seniors, the room can be booked by any Norfolk resident (and a caregiver) who are dealing with mental health issues, autism, social isolation, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and disabilities.   The environment provides a relaxing space which helps to reduce agitation and anxiety.  The room contains special lighting, seating, music, and interactive technology which can stimulate reactions and encourage community and social connection.

St. Paul’s began construction earlier this year and the additional donation of $16,800 will enhance the project to include more technology and amenities to make this environment best-in-class”, comments John Bird from St. Paul’s Community Hall.

St. Pauls Community Hall representative Deb Armstrong goes on to say, “We are working closely with the local medical community, support organizations and service clubs to ensure those people who could benefit are aware of this resource and how to access it.  As we approach completion, we will launch a community awareness campaign to communicate the benefits and accessibility of this unique resource.”  It is anticipated that the environment can be booked Monday to Friday 9 am to 7 pm for 30-40 minute sessions.

Since 2014, 100 Women Who Care Norfolk has raised $448,000 for 29 charities.

After revamping our meeting structure due to COVID, 100 Women Who Care Norfolk raised $15,700 for Church Out Serving (COS) in November meeting.

This money will be spent on stainless steel counters, sinks and food safe work surfaces in their commercial kitchen.  Since March, Church Out Serving has stepped forward in response to a growing and urgent need to help local residents who were experiencing food insecurity, many for the first time.  These people consist of housebound seniors, people who are ill, disabled or immune-compromised (due to cancer, ALS, MS) and those facing financial hardships. Many of these people are not able to leave their homes, shop for food, prepare meals and are distanced from family.

COS are currently operating multiple programs ranging from hot meals being served curbside, to frozen meal and food hamper delivery.  In total, more than 10,000 meals have reached the tables of Norfolk’s most vulnerable residents.  During the summer months, 18 community gardens throughout Simcoe were planted and over 12,600 vegetable servings were harvested and distributed.  Referrals to COS come from HN Emergency Food Response Hotline, Senior Support Services, CMHA, Children’s Aid, REACH, Red Cross and Victim Services.

In 2017, 100 Women Who Care Norfolk donated funds to COS which were used to purchase a walk-in refrigerator and freezer.  Both of these items have been instrumental in COS’s ability to roll out their programs during COVID.  The location on Sydenham is being used to store food items and as a staging location for these programs.  These new additions to the COS’s commercial kitchen will improve efficiency and capacity for both current and future programs at Riversyde 83.

Since 2014, 100 Women Who Care have raised just under $400,000 for 27 local charities.

At the February 2020 meeting, Indwell’s latest Norfolk project at the site of the old Norfolk Inn received $16,200.  They have begun construction and are in the midst of transforming this building into social housing.

This money will be spent on the their community kitchen.  While the total cost of this kitchen is $90,000, our funds will go a long way to help pay for the commercial grade appliances needed to round out this project.  The residents will utilize this kitchen daily as they come together to prepare meals and learn new life altering skills around food security.  These meals will be provided to the residents at cost.

Indwell currently supports more than 550 people in affordable housing communities in Hamilton, Woodstock, London and Simcoe.  They are very excited to be offering this opportunity to more people in Norfolk.  When the renovations are completed, the new Simcoe location will provide 32 affordable apartments, a community kitchen, a common living area, offices for support staff and street level commercial space.  To assist the new tenants succeed in their new home, counseling, recreation activities, structured programs and life skills training will be offered.  It is anticipated that many of those who will be housed at this new location have been chronically homeless, living in shelters or transitioning in and out of institutions.  The Indwell environment will provide stability, a positive support system, develop confidence, offer relevant skills training which in turn will ultimately create more independent and responsible adults.

The total cost of this project is $8.5 million and they are seeking $1 million in community support.  To date they have raised $276,000 (plus $16,200).

To date, this brings the total raised by 100 Women Who Care Norfolk to just under $400,000 for 24 local charities.