The Red Deer Hospice Society recently benefited from a group of young Red Deerians looking to make a difference.
The group 100+ Kids Who Care held their second meeting of the year earlier this month at St. Patrick’s School.
Three charities gave presentations to the group of youth in hopes of being the recipients of the donation. Those charities included the Ronald McDonald House of Central Alberta, the Red Cross and the Red Deer Hospice Society.
Ultimately, the group chose the Red Deer Hospice Society who were the recipients of $1,100.
“We were so excited to be the recipients,” said Melissa Giroux, fund development and marketing coordinator for the Red Deer Hospice Society. “We have been invited in the past last year and hospice is kind of a tough subject for kids. This year we focused on our butterfly release and we were excited that the kids were excited about the ceremony and we focused on how it’s a great way for families to say goodbye to their loved ones and a time to gather and talk about those memories.
“For any charity it is important to engage new, young donors and just to have them knowing about hospice at this early stage in their lives is absolutely wonderful. As they grow up and look for places to volunteer, we’re always happy to encourage young volunteers and it’s always a great way to get them involved in the organization and spread the word.”
Christine Slaymaker, owner of Dance Magic Studio and a member of 100 Women Who Care, wanted to use her close connection with youth through the studio to create a group that would make a lasting impact on Red Deer.
“The more kids we can reach out to, the greater reach they will have in the community and beyond. We just want to keep doing this because every time we get the opportunity to have a child be part of this program, it’s extending beyond the two-hour meeting,” she said. “We hope to continue to grow and build awareness to get more kids engaged.”
The initiative to begin 100+ Kids Who Care was spurred by dancers at Dance Magic Studio in the spring of 2015. Officials with the group drew influence from the 100 Women Who Care and 100 Men Who Care groups. One hundred (people) who care groups are a quick fundraising method that aim to bring together 100 people, each with the intent of donating $100 to a chosen charity. In terms of 100+ Kids Who Care, they each bring $10 to donate and their meetings are held twice a year.
During the meetings multiple organizations, agencies and charities present to the youth about why the funds would be of benefit to them.
As well, during the meeting earlier this month, there was a ‘web of kindness’ where participants wrote an act of kindness or some way of giving back to the community on a small card.
At the end of the meeting, the kids were encouraged to take a card off the ‘web of kindness’ that was not their own and commit to completing the act of kindness before the next meeting.
The next meeting for 100+ Kids Who Care will be next spring.
More details will be released closer to that date. For more information, visit www.reddeerdancemagic.ca and click under the ‘Events + Classes’ tab.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
