Georgian Bay Gals Give members are getting ready for the next endeavour.
The group, also known as GGG for brevity, is planning its next charitable get-together later this month with an aim to donate thousands of dollars to Community Living Huronia.
“I truly think the main reason that the gals like to be a part of our group is because it’s the easiest way to fund raise and give back,” said Michelle Mink, who’s been involved with the group since 2018 when Lyn Wolfhard and Kathy Elsdon Befort came up with the idea.
While the May 31 event will be virtual, Mink said there’s something very special about being involved in such a friendly, simplistic way to raise funds for worthy organizations.
“When we do meet face-to-face at our social functions that are giving events, basically we buy ourselves a glass of wine and we tell the ladies what total we have raised for that particular charity that has been voted upon and toast,” Mink said, adding that it’s an effective way to give to charity that doesn’t involve some “big long drawn-out” meeting.
“I’ve been involved in a lot of fundraising over the course of my life and this is the easiest way for me to give back,” said Mink, who was joined on the original fundraising committee by Eve Stewart, Sue Lyons, Sherry Middaugh and Barb Coxworth.
“I write a cheque twice a year for $200 to the chosen charity and the charity sends me a tax receipt. It’s an amazing way to give.”
While Mink acknowledged virtual get-togethers just aren’t the same as seeing one another in-person, she said the cause is an important one.
“Our committee just want to give a shout out to all the members in our Georgian Bay Gals Give group and sincerely thank them for their generosity, their commitment and the positive impact they are having on our local charities.”
The initial launch of Gbay Gals Give was June 7th, 2018 at the Midland Golf and Country Club with members donating $24,000 to Georgian Bay General Hospital.
"We hoped we could each gather five friends to join us to give back to the community," Mink said. "Well, we did that and more!"
And what started out with relatively modest intentions quickly blossomed into a group that now features more than 200 women.
“We are a group of 228 passionate and giving women in our membership to date,” Mink said.
“And we have, in total, raised $170,000 for our community charities!”
Members commit to giving $200 twice a year to a charity that is nominated and voted upon by the membership.
"No selling tickets, no bake sales, just an easy direct donation to the recipient charity chosen," Mink said, noting the official receipt after donating comes directly from that charity "so we have nothing to do with the actual money. Like-minded women trying to make a difference in their community. It is indeed a win-win."
From those early beginnings, the group held another event the in the fall of 2018 with more than 100 women attending and helping to raise $36,500 for Hospice Huronia.
The following spring, members raised $36,600 for the Georgian Bay Cancer Centre with $40,750 in proceeds going to Huronia Transition Homes from the fall get-together.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic’s start last spring, no event was held.
“But in October, we decided to host our first virtual event via Zoom,” Mink said. “The recipient charity was the Guest House Shelter and Community Hub and we raised $35,000!”
The organization is always accepting members, who are interested in some camaraderie and a fun, easy way to help local charities.
Anyone interested in learning more about the group, can contact them via email at [email protected] or visit their website.