Community
Kiwanis Club and Red Deer Twilight Homes Foundation give crucial boost to Safety City
From Amy Gardner, Executive Director of the Red Deer Safety City Society
Safety City Receives Major Donations
When the Coronavirus hit Alberta, its negative impact on local businesses was considerable. Many have not been able to reopen their doors. Countless others have been struggling and trying their best to survive through the hardest times they have ever witnessed. One of the hardest hit groups is Not-for-Profits. Red Deer Safety City Society, a local non-profit, has been serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta for the last 20 years. Each year their programs touch the lives of around 3,800 children. Staff, parent volunteers and teachers from numerous school divisions each spring and fall help run fun, safety-oriented courses. In addition, Safety City operates summer camps in July and August.
Safety City relies heavily on donations as well as revenue generated through the running of their safety programs. As a result of the pandemic considerable revenue was lost from field trips being cancelled during spring and fall. The new safety guidelines, restricting the number of children and families that could participate in summer camps, caused the organization to take another financial hit. Those losses caused considerable concern. Could Safety City make it through another year? The Executive Director, Amy Gardner, reached out to two long time supporters: The Kiwanis Club of Red Deer and Red Deer Twilight Homes Foundation. The Red Deer Kiwanis Club was a founding member of the Red Deer Safety City Society. Knowing the importance of the work done at Safety City, the Kiwanis Club of Red Deer and the Red Deer Twilight Homes Foundation got together to make two large donations to the Society in order to preserve the organization.
On January 15, 2021, key members from Red Deer Twilight Homes Foundation and the Kiwanis Club of Red Deer presented the Executive Director, Amy Gardner, and the Board President, Kristina Sveinson of the Red Deer Safety City Society, with donations totalling $25,000. This money will enable Red Deer Safety City Society to continue offering their summer camps, field trips and birthday parties, when government rules permit. These generous donations have allowed the Red Deer Safety City Society to remain a constant in our great city.
L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer
After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.
Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.
Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:
“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”
Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.
In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:
“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.
To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.
For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca
About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.
The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.
Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.
Festival of Trees tickets are on sale now! Get ’em while they’re hot!
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