100 Kids Who Care, a part of the 100 Who Care Alliance, is returning to Airdrie and ready to make a difference in its community, according to volunteer Nicole Lacoursiere.
As part of the 100 Who Care Alliance, which has more than 900 chapters across the world, 100 Kids Who Care is part of a network that includes 100 Airdrie Men Who Give a Damn and 100 Women Who Care Airdrie.
“The kids will each bring $10 and are encouraged to raise the money themselves – not ask their parents for the money,” she said. “We ask them to do chores, or a lemonade stand, or however they do it, so they understand that their money is what they're giving to charities versus just taking it from their parents and giving it to charity.”
That money is then pooled and donated to charities of the members’ choice.
Similar to the adult 100 groups, 100 Kids Who Care asks youth to nominate local charities. Then, at the meeting, three charities will be selected randomly from the nominations and representatives from them will be given the opportunity to speak with the group about the work the charities do. 100 Kids members will then vote for the charity they would like to see funding. The charity with the most votes will receive 100 per cent of the 100 Kids’ collective donation, Lacoursiere said.
Kelly Boudreau and Natalie Graham-Long, who said they saw a need in the community, founded the group in 2016, but put 100 Kids on hiatus in spring 2017.
“We got busy with families and work and didn't have anybody step up to help us,” Boudreau said, adding this left the group no option but to go on hiatus in the spring of 2017. “We decided to start up again because we love it so much and found some great people to help us.”
“We had over 20 families sign up this past weekend, so we're getting a really good response to it,” Lacoursiere said.
The first meeting will be held 6 p.m., Sept. 27 at the Living Springs United Church, and 100 Kids is inviting youth aged five to 17 to join the organization in selecting a cause.
“I think it's good for the kids to learn about organizations, community support, building a better community through their involvement – it gives them a good feeling,” Lacoursiere said.
For more information, visit 100kidsairdrie.org
