100 Coins to 100 Canadians is a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Centennial initiative, recognizing Canadian citizens who demonstrate RCAF values through the presentation of a special centennial coin.
Canadians who demonstrate behavior in the spirit of the RCAF, namely loyalty, integrity, courage, excellence, inclusion or accountability are eligible for the honour. As are those who are deemed worthy of recognition through the positive impact they have on their community.
That brings us to Donna Fritzke, who for her contributions to the Moose Jaw Humane Society through her work as the shelter’s Fundraising Coordinator, and the individual who instrumental in expanding the humane society bookstore programs reach was a recipient of the honour.
“I just feel so honored to be able to receive a coin, I love my job, and I've always had a passion and a love for animals. It was an easy fit for me to be able to have a position as a fundraiser coordinator.” said Fritzke.
“I love working in our community and raising awareness for the pets that live at the shelter. I really love my job. So, to be recognized for the work that I do is just a blessing.”
Fritzke found out that she was nominated anonymously in the summer for her work in expanding the shelter’s bookstore program to include satellite locations throughout the city, but she was nonetheless surprised to have been chosen be part of the 100.
Fritzke explained the impact her changes to the program have had.
“At the shelter we have a bookstore, people donate books to us, and we sell them for $2.50, when I started at the shelter, I went into the community looking for different stores and organizations that would take our books and sell them for us.”
“Right now, we have six different businesses in Moose Jaw that take our books and sell them for us with 100 per cent of the proceeds going back to the shelter.”
She explained that her nomination stemmed from her adding the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa to the list of local businesses that host a satellite location for the book sale.
“I restock books every week, and we have been raising several hundred dollars a month from selling books.”
“Last year alone at the shelter we raised $26,000 from the bookstore, I think this year we should be close to raising close to $5,000 just selling books downtown. It’s really fun, and one of my favourite things in my job is going to restock books every week.”
The bookstore program has grown to be one of the biggest and most fruitful fundraising endeavors at the humane society, and Fritzke notes that it is one of the best ways to help the shelter.
“It's all about the pets, that's why I do what I do, and that's one of the reasons that I received this award. But I just love what I do, and I have a passion for animals and want to be able to help families and their pets."