100 Women Who Care of the North Shore celebrate decade of giving back

Power comes in numbers, and oftentimes for a good cause.

For the past decade, women across the North Shore have come together to donate their money to local charities. 100 Women Who Care of the North Shore was created to be a simple yet impactful force in the community, said one of the group’s co-chairs, Naomi Chard.

“It’s a very tangible, close gift. You really know the impact that you’re making. It’s very rewarding in that sense,” Chard said.

December marks the 10th anniversary of the group’s launch, and to celebrate they are inviting the charities they have donated to over the last decade to toast with them at the Kiwanis Terrace in West Vancouver.

To give more back to the community this holiday season, the group will donate $5,000 from their endowment fund to a charity as part of West Vancouver Foundation’s Give Where You Live campaign. For every dollar donated, the foundation will match the donation.

The large group meets quarterly for one hour to nominate and donate to a charity of their choice. During the meeting, nominations are placed in a box, where three are randomly drawn. The members who nominated the charity then give a short presentation on that organization.

Each member then votes for the charity of their choice, with the successful pick receiving $100 from each member.

That quickly adds up to $10,000 in just one meeting. Over the group’s tenure, the women have raised nearly $300,000 for local charities who serve or are located on the North Shore, making a direct and positive impact in the community, Chard said.

“It can often be a game-changer for some of the local charities, enabling them to run special programs, making invaluable purchases to enhance their operation and even just stay alive,” she said.

Donations make impact

The 100 Women Who Care of the North Shore collective has donated to various charities over the last decade, ranging from food security and sports programs to shelters and mental health organizations.

But there is one donation that sticks out for Chard in particular.

In 2019, the group donated to the North Shore Crisis Services Society. A presentation was held a few months later where a woman came expressing the impact their donation had on her. She shared how she was able to get back on her feet by getting an education and a job, Chard said. The room filled with emotion, all touched by her story.

“That was such a poignant moment, there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience,” she said. “Her journey was a big one, but the gratitude that we felt because we were all women, and we understand, and we could empathize…. It was really meaningful.”

100 Women Who Care of the North Shore is just one of the group chapters across Canada and the United States. The group, 100 Women Who Care, began in November 2006 by Karen Dunigan in Jackson, Mich.

The North Shore chapter began in September of 2014, formed by former executive director of the West Vancouver Community Foundation, Delaina Bell, alongside other community members Susan Beck, Nancy Farran, Barbara McMillan and Fanny Patterson.

Chard quickly joined after hearing about it through her involvement at the West Vancouver Community Foundation, and in 2016 took on the role of co-chair along with Mary McGivern.

Continuing the work moving forward

The group stands out for its model, and Chard is fortunate to see how far it has come as they approach this vital milestone.

“It is such a celebration, and it’s because of what we’ve been able to do,” Chard said. “Look what a group of women have done just because they’re motivated to make a difference within our own community.”

Chard said she feels she is giving back to the community by being part of the group. Members have been able to learn more about what organizations on the North Shore do for the community.

There is no limit on the number of members for the chapter, Chard said, and they are always looking for more people to join.

The group’s 10th anniversary event and meeting will be on Dec. 2 at the Great Hall of the Kiwanis Terrace starting at 6 p.m. Those interested in attending the meeting can register by Nov. 27 on Eventbrite.

Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative. [email protected]