The Community Foundation of Portage and District held their 7th annual ‘150 Women Who Care’ event last night at the William Glesby Centre.
The event, which sold out in less than an hour, saw a room full of 150 women, gathering to show they care about local non-profits and their dedicated causes.
Some tables saw groups of friends, out to enjoy a night of great food. Some tables were bought by companies, giving colleagues the chance to catch up outside of their regular workday. Others had family members of the pitchers, anxiously waiting to see their loved ones up on the big stage.
Soon after the program began at 7 p.m., the organizations would each take their turns on the stage. During a brief presentation, they would make their pitch to the 150 women present, explaining how their organization would benefit from a $10,000 grant.
Pitch #1
The first presenter of the night was the Ukrainian Cultural Centre. They had their member, Iryna Braun, give a heart-wrenching presentation of why their cultural centre is needed in Portage la Prairie, now more than ever.
During her presentation she explained how so many people of Ukrainian descent, are forced to leave their country, traditions – and even family members – behind.
“We are not starting anything new. Women taking care of culture and taking care of other women. Ukrainian community is very vivid, and we are using the basement area to create events and to help each other. We are having Ukrainian movie nights, so our children do not forget Ukrainian language. The many possible funds would be helpful to renovate this space. To make it a very prosperous space for the Ukrainian community, but also a place where everyone in Portage is invited. You may ask, for whom are we doing all this for? It is for our children. Thank you.”
Pitch #2
Next up, the room heard from Portage Learning and Literacy Centre (PLLC). They had Miriam Ghitale, who is the Settlement Coordinator, and Laurie Collier who is the lead teacher, give a touching presentation about members of their centre doing their best to make a better life for themselves, and their children.
However, in so many cases, while trying to educate themselves, these mature students go hungry, whether it is due to lack of time or not having the money to provide this food in the first place. During their pitch, PLLC explained the funds would help their organization provide food security. This would alleviate the concern of hunger and allow the mature students to focus on their studies and reach their goals, without worrying about where their next meal is coming from.
The Women Who Care Fund
After their presentation, The Community Foundation announced the recipient of their ‘Women Who Care Fund’. A cheque for $4730 which is made possible by the ticket sales from the ‘150 Women Who Care’ event each year. This year the recipient was Women of Mother Earth Network, whose sacred duty is the act of reconciliation and healing. Organizer, Angela Routlette, was very happy to accept the award on the network’s behalf.
Pitch #3
The next presentation was given by Taylor Blatchford about her idea for an Infant Memorial Garden.
She and her husband lost their son, Wells, during an operation while she was pregnant. Blatchford told her mother, Angie Stanky, she was worried everyone would forget about her child. This put Stanky into action and the two created the idea for an Infant Memorial Garden, to honour and remember all the young lives who were taken too soon due to stillbirth, infant loss or third trimester loss. While she spoke, there wasn't a dry eye in the room.
They hope to provide a serene, low maintenance garden to honour and remember their children.
Pitch #4
The fourth presentation was given by Kennedy Hardinge who is the president of The Entrepreneur Mental Health Association (EMHA) and owner of Kenny’s K9s. With upbeat music, videos and an engaging speech, she changed the energy in the room in an instant.
After creating her own business, she began thinking of planning a family. This is when she realized how difficult being an entrepreneur and planning a family can be. She was placed on best rest early on in her pregnancy which caused her mental health to plummet as she worried about her new business. She also did not receive maternity leave benefits from the government, as she was self-employed. This is how her idea was born; to provide support and resources for women in business and help them balance their family aspirations and business ambitions.
Pitch #5
The last presentation of the night was Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba Foundation (CFSCM). Sara Martens, the Community Support Coordinator, gave a pitch on how the funds would benefit their ‘Chance 2’ programs.
CFSCM’s ‘Chance 2 Camp’ and ‘Chance 2 Grow’ programs give children plenty of opportunities which they would not otherwise have access to, due to lack of financial resources. Through their foundation, children ages five to 17, are given access to music lessons, art classes, swimming lessons, skating lessons, soccer, baseball, dance classes as well as camp experiences with help the children soar to new heights.
Martens shared many heartfelt, handwritten letters from children in their programs. Their letters expressed how these opportunities brought the children joy while teaching them confidence and self-worth.
The winner
After the five presentations, the 150 women were each given a ballot to vote for which organization they would like to see awarded the $10,000. After a tense few minutes where the votes were counted, it was announced that the Wells Blatchford Infant Memorial Garden were the winners of the grant. She and her mother were in tears and disbelief upon hearing the news. The garden space has already been granted, and the funds will now go to making the idea a reality.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone who came and to the foundation for all of their support and for letting me share my son," Blatchford says.
Kimberly Lavallee, Executive Director of the Community Foundation, was thrilled to have another successful event behind them.
"It was a great evening of course! I think all 5 pitches were very worthy and congratulations to all of them - they all did a wonderful job. The organizing committee and the staff also did a wonderful job. The beautiful women that were here, it was a pleasure to have them, and congratulations to tell Taylor from the Infant Memorial Garden! I can't wait to see the garden in the spring," Lavallee says.
The Community Foundation of Portage and District are currently taking applications for their spring grants. Lavallee stresses the deadline is March 15th.
"We're here to help in any way we can. So, if you have any questions, feel free. You can call the office or come down and we'll certainly help them with anything they need. It's a wonderful organization!”
