Sharing is Caring

Sharing is caring.

I repeat these three words to my two year old granddaughter who is learning this concept brilliantly.

I remember taking my kids to see children’s author Robert Munsch and that became his mantra.

Those words have stayed with me ever since.

We hopefully learn to continue the act of sharing well into our adulthood and dotage.

Sharing and caring is alive and well on the Peninsula and the Fraser Valley I am happy to say.  There are so many generous and philanthropic organizations locally that care about our communities.

However, a gal in my Pilates class told me about an organization she belongs to which I have never heard of; namely, 100 Women Who Care. I must have been living under a rock. My conversations with members Pat, 77, and Wanda, 74, enlightened me.

100 Women Who Care is a philanthropic movement started in Michigan in 2006 that brings together women with a shared passion for making a significant impact in their communities. The concept is simple yet powerful: each member contributes $400 per year and commits to donating to a local charity or non-profit organization four times a year.

The group members nominate local causes they feel strongly about. At each meeting, three nominated charities pitch to the group explaining their mission and funding needs. Members then vote on which charity will receive that quarter’s collective donation.

There are now over 200 chapters in Canada.

But what about the men?

I am familiar with Men’s Sheds in Australia where men gather to socialize, share skills, and support each other to combat isolation. These sheds have evolved into hubs of camaraderie and productivity. They offer workshops for woodworking, metalworking, and other crafts, fostering creativity and a sense of purpose.

That is a wonderful concept but it doesn’t share the same philosophy as 100 Women Who Care.

So you can imagine my delight when I learned there is a South Surrey chapter hosted by Mike, 52, called 100 Guys That Care South Surrey.  One hundred like-minded fellas meet in Mike’s barn four times a year. 

The group was born out of COVID. Mike and some buddies were sharing a drink, when they realized they had friends who had lost their jobs and were struggling financially. They also knew of other people in the community who had been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

They asked themselves “How can we help our community?”

They hit the ground running in 2021.

100 Guys That Care South Surrey is a community-based philanthropic group where men come together to make a significant impact through collective giving.

The concept is the same as the ladies’ group but they guarantee to donate $10,000 per quarter and often more as they have created local scholarships.

Although they haven’t specifically chosen a charity which focuses on seniors, they have contributed more than once to Sources Food Bank which many seniors access.

They also have helped many individual younger families facing hardships as well as youths and even a new mother experiencing post-partum depression. They help four families annually as part of the Christmas Stocking Fund.

There is a waiting list to join 100 Guys That Care South Surrey. While it is a networking opportunity for the guys, it offers them camaraderie and a good feeling knowing they are helping their community.

This grassroots initiative not only supports charities and individuals financially but also fosters a spirit of compassion among its members.

If you have a suggestion of a potential recipient of this group’s generosity, please contact Mike at submissions@100guysthatcaresouthsurrey.ca

Mike would definitely agree sharing is caring.