Co-founder Debbie Rathwell with First Steps' donation cheque (Submitted)
100 Women Who Care of Greater Saint John came together December 1 on Zoom to make a local charity’s Christmas wish come true.
“We are always looking for new members,” said Co-founder Debbie Rathwell, adding her goal is to get to 300 members and then give $30,000 to a charity each yearly quarter. “I know we can do it – spreading the word and getting the word out is always the challenge, but we’re always welcoming new members.”
The group members heard pitches from charities Outflow Saint John, the Empty Stocking Fund and First Steps, and voted to make its donation to First Steps.
First Steps, a multi-service centre that provides support, guidance and safe home for pregnant women and young mothers and their babies, received a donation of $24,500. The donations vary based on the $100 given by each member who attends the meetings.
100 Women has now donated a grand total of $748,609 to 31 local charities over seven years.
