Following three compelling five-minute presentations, including from the Salt Spring Singers and the Beaver Point Hall Community Association, the presentation by Perry Ruehlen on behalf of Gulf Islands Families Together Society (GIFTS) received the most votes during the 100+ Women Who Care meeting on Nov. 12. GIFTS was awarded the collected total of over $12,000 to go towards their operations.
Founded by local families in 1999, GIFTS is a local charity that supports people with developmental disabilities by recognizing their rights to employment, social, recreational and educational access, and housing on Salt Spring Island.
“We are so excited by this news,” said Amanda Myers, GIFTS executive director. “And the timing is perfect, given our upcoming projects. We feel this type of support from our community acknowledges our past success and helps us open the door a bit further for our folks.”
Ruehlen noted that about five per cent of Canadians live with a developmental disability, translating to about 500 people in a community the size of Salt Spring Island. She highlighted several well-known community members who have gone through the local school system and then had the good fortune of support from GIFTS when they were done.
“These sons and daughters have grown into incredible adults who brighten the very fabric of Salt Spring,” she said, noting their participation in everything from Special Olympics BC to work at the local fire department and island businesses.
“We have a group of wonderful people who want the same level of inclusion as everyone else in our community,” said Myers. “We are at a point, with some of our people becoming seniors, when we really need to address some big-picture issues. We continue to have challenges about housing and youth transitioning out of school. These funds will be so helpful as we work to address these critical issues.”
The 100 Women Who Care initiative, launched in 2006, is a collaborative fundraising model that enables women to pool their resources in support of local charities. Each member contributes $100 and votes for one of three nominated charities three times a year. There are now over 700 chapters active across North America.
Celebrating its sixth anniversary, the Salt Spring branch has now raised over $300,000 for 18 causes, including Search and Rescue, early child support and education, therapeutic riding, wildlife care, IWAV and eldercare.
The next 100+ Women Who Care Salt Spring Island meeting will be at ArtSpring on Feb. 26, 2025, with nominations closing on Jan. 29, 2025.
Visit 100womensaltspring.org for more information, including how to join the group.