By Courtney Harrison KELOWNA – A group of men with a mission to give back to the community through local charities has raised $18,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
They call themselves, 100 Men Who Give a Damn! And say their guidelines are simple: meet up four times a year to hear five minute “pitches” from three local charities, then vote on a winner and write a $100 check to the winning charity.
The group of now 210 members picked their first charity recipient last Wednesday, August 5.
Project Literacy and Launch Kelowna were both given the opportunity to pitch their cause but CMHA was selected to be the first 100 Men Who Give a Damn! recipient.
Chris Wills, co-founder, says that more than 140 of the 210 members were able to make it to the successful event and that in less than an hour, $18,000 was raised.
“The initial gathering of the group was outstanding. The pitches from the charities raised awareness for all three organizations and the feeling of giving was alive in the room” says Kelowna 100 men co-founder Brett Millard.
CMHA Kelowna Executive Director, Shelagh Turner says that the money raised will directly help 30 young people attend Ready to Rent, a group that helps people build the skills and knowledge on how to find and maintain a rental house.
Turner says they are so grateful for the donation and added, “it’s a beautiful concept. Not only are they changing lives through their generosity, they are building community.”
The next event will be held on Wednesday November 4 at Bottega Inn and Studio.
Thirty days before the event, three new charities will be randomly selected from a pool of not-for-profits nominated by the 100 men members.
The charities must meet three basic criteria: they must be CRA certified, must have been in existence for at least one year and the money raised must be put back into the community.
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