Submitted BY 100+ Women Who Care
The members of 100+ Women Who Care faced a difficult choice on May 15, as they voted for the charity most deserving of their donations. The three non-profit organizations drawn to present to the group were: Cats of Salt Spring Rescue Society, presented by Mary Beckett, Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust introduced by Valerie Perkis, and “SD#64 Educational Trust,” by Meghan Montgomery. After members cast their vote by secret ballot, SD#64 Educational Trust — the Gulf Island Secondary School (GISS) rowing club — was awarded approximately $14,500.
The backstory to the GISS rowing club is a turbulent one, which made the win all the sweeter. The windstorm in December 2018 destroyed the club’s fleet of rowing boats and the team spent many months running fundraisers and raffles to replace their equipment. The rowing community in the region stepped in and helped to keep the club afloat with borrowed and donated but aged boats. Fast forward five years and the club has grown exponentially, making this donation very timely.
Rowing director, Meghan Montgomery, herself a three-time Paralympian, drew on her own experience to make her passionate presentation.
“Rowing is a sport that builds not only strength and endurance, but also discipline, self-reliance, empathy, and team building,” said Montgomery.
Stacy Mitchell, founder of the junior rowing program and its head coach and Executive Director, said over 75 per cent of their members were young women, and that it was gratifying to see them grow in self-assurance with each season.
“Meghan and I volunteer our time to coach and support the junior program, giving back to the sport which has done so much for us,” said Mitchell. “We are so grateful to the 100+ Women Who Care for this generous donation. It will allow the club to build up its equipment to support a growing generation of rowers.”
100+ Women Who Care were also treated to a presentation by Aletha Humphreys, executive director of Greenwoods Eldercare Society, with support from board member Silk Questo. Greenwoods was the recipient of $14,600 at the last meeting of 100+ Women in February 2025.
Aletha Humphreys said the society was taking its time to allocate those funds with thought and care.
“It will allow us to add those special touches,” said Humphreys, “that make Greenwoods feel like home and make life a little better for each member of our community.”
Launched in 2006, the 100+ Women Who Care was created in Jackson, Michigan, by a woman who fundraised for urgently-needed cribs. With its focus on local philanthropy, quick fundraising and the immediate needs of the community, the idea took off. Chapters sprung up around the world, each servicing its own community, and making an impact on the lives of local inhabitants.
With six years of fundraising under its collective belt, the Salt Spring branch has raised almost $330,000 for 20 causes, including the SPCA, IWAV, Search and Rescue, early child support and education, therapeutic riding and wildlife care.
The next 100+ Women Who Care Salt Spring Island meeting will be at Artspring on Oct. 23, 2025, at 7p.m., with charity nominations closing on September 23, 2025. New members are always welcome and can participate even if they can’t attend meetings. To join, visit the organization’s website 100womensaltspring.org