FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Saplings Mental Health Services received a donation of $31,100 during the second 100 Women Who Care event of 2023.
The event involves at least 100 people donating $100 each and deciding, as a group, which local organization will receive the money.
The Arts Council of Fort St. John, Community Bridge and Saplings Mental Health Services presented to nearly 200 women at the Lido on September 26th.
Bailey Ollenberger, one of the organizers, said attendance exceeded expectations, with just under 200 women in the building and monetary support from 211.
The first presenter was Saplings Mental Health Services, who said the donation would go towards helping children get the proper diagnosis for mental illnesses so they could get the medications and support needed.
“It was really moving to listen to that presentation,” Ollenberger said.
Saplings Mental Health Services aims to fill the gaps in mental health services for children and youth in northeastern B.C.
The Arts Council of Fort St. John presented next and was looking for an accessible community hub for artists in the city.
Ollenberger said the presenters shared a sentimental story of a local person in a wheelchair who joined the pottery guild but faced issues with accessibility.
“It was a comment that it would be lovely if more people of all types could participate in art, but it has to be accessible as well,” she said.
As part of the presentation, the stage was filled with many types of art, including pottery, oil paintings, canvases and dancers.
“They brought in this gal who was dressed as the Queen of Hearts in this phenomenal costume; that was really cool,” Ollenberger said.
“They had this young girl playing the violin when they all got off the stage. She is talented.”
Earlier this year, the Arts Council presented a progress report to city council for its proposed Community Hub.
The third presentation was from Community Bridge, an organization offering a counselling and support services network in the Peace River-Liard area to individuals, children, youths and families.
“Their presentation definitely came with some impact. They shared live testimonials,” Ollenberger said.
The testimonial clips were put through a voice changer for confidentiality, but she said everyone in the room was speechless.
“Listening to these testimonials of what I can only assume were probably young teens, if not children, sharing that they have had their battles… And Community Bridge has been there for them,” Ollenberger said.
After the presentations and while Ollenberger was counting the ballots, she heard Britney Spears’ Oops!… I Did It Again playing over the speakers. Wondering what was going on, she ran through the theatre doors to see Tourmaline on stage, saying they were again matching the $10,000 donation, bringing the total to $31,100.
The latest donation by 100 Women Who Care is only a couple thousand off from the event’s record of $33,900 broken in March.
Abbeyfield of Fort St. John was the lucky donation recipient at the event earlier this year.
Registration for the next event on March 12th, 2024, is already open.
