At a Women United conference, in Ohio, back in 2017, Karen Kirkwood-Whyte heard an inspiring story of a challenge launched by some philanthropic women. Ten women, from South Hampton Roads Virginia, were asked to each pledge $10,000/year for 10 years, to help the most vulnerable women and children in their community. This initiative created so much buzz that they soon had 100 members, creating an endowment fund of $2.5 million.
United Way Chatham-Kent’s Women United affinity group are now proud to announce their inaugural 5 for 5 initiative, with a group of forward thinking ladies. Being members of Women United already, they collaborated to form a similar strategy to that in Virginia, whereby they are each donating $5,000 each year for 5 years, which represents a total commitment of $125,000. The interest earned will be earmarked to go towards mental health/addictions and homeless in our community, with the hope of recruiting like-minded women, who also want to make a difference.
According to the Indiana University Centre on Philanthropy “Although women’s earnings are 80% of men’s, women are almost always more likely to donate than men”, and furthermore “At almost all income groups, women give more than men.”
There are many people in the Chatham-Kent community that fall through the cracks. Mental health, addictions and homelessness are so interwoven, and has such a huge impact on the community as a whole, that it is felt that, we need to find ways of helping those, who may not have a voice.
The 5 founding members are as follows : Christine Muckle CA, a chartered accountant based in Blenheim, and passionate believer of the work done at United Way; Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, retired CEO of United Way, and current Ward 6 councilor for Chatham-Kent; Julie Faas CPA, CGA, retired manager of Enbridge (Union Gas), current small business owner of Bluewater Bling; Janet Bernreuter, retired CEO/President of Sass Manufacturing, past board member for several public boards, and strong advocate for community arts; Christine Canniff, Case Manager in Employment & Social Services at Municipality of Chatham-Kent, past Co-Chair of United Way Campaign.
These ladies all believe the following statement to be true
One woman can make a difference, two hundred can remake a community.
If you would like to be part of making Chatham-Kent a stronger community, by lifting up those in challenged situations, please contact Margery Muharrem, Staff Support for Women United, at United Way 519-354-0430 ext 274.
