100 Women Who Care Support Bee Me Kidz

Bee Me Kidz is receiving more than $24,000 from a group of generous women in the Saint John region.

100 Women Who Care of Greater Saint John made its 32nd donation during the group’s quarterly meeting held virtually Tuesday night.

The group heard five-minute presentations from Bee Me Kidz, along with the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick’s Saint John Resource Centre and the Saint John Community Food Basket.

Members in attendance each donated $100 to the charity they chose as a group. At the end of the night, Bee Me Kidz received $24,600.

“Women continue to be inspired by the efficient and meaningful work of our organization, and women continue to rise up and join our organization,” said co-founder Debbie Rathwell in a news release. “We are confident that our impact on our local charitable communities will continue to thrive for many years to come, and our donations are especially needed during these very challenging times that the Coronavirus pandemic has shone upon us.”

Since its inception nearly eight years ago, the local chapter of 100 Women Who Care has made donated more than $775,000.

During Tuesday’s meeting, First Steps also provided an update of how they used the nearly $26,000 they received from the women in December.

Board member Danielle Rice said the money helps provide women with a bright, clean bedroom and all of the supplies needed to care for herself and her baby.

“Your donation had a far greater reach than the monetary impact alone,” said Rice. “The message our mother’s received was that over 250 women in their community truly believe in them and want to see them succeed.”

“This not only empowers them to participate in their success, and take greater control over the decisions that affect their lives and that of their children, it takes them one step closer to breaking the cycle of poverty, making your donation priceless.”

Rice said the funding is also going toward much-needed repairs in the house, which was built back in 1864.