A loosely-organized group of men who want to help make Guelph a better place are looking for some like-minded souls.
One Hundred Men Who Give A Damn started a Guelph chapter roughly 18 months ago and now they'd like to boost their presence.
The concept is simple: a group of men get together once every three months at the Guelph Armoury and bring a $100 cheque. They listen to five-minute pitches from three local charities and then vote on which charity will receive the money that night.
Three months later, they do it again.
"Everyone gives a little, but you leave the meeting feeling like you've given a whole lot," says Tom Gill, one of the volunteer organizers of the local chapter, which has no formal leadership and no overhead.
"I give my $100 but I feel like I've given $13,000 at the end of the night," Gill said.
Anyone can take part. The group asks that you register on their web site first. If you can't make the meeting, you're expected to honour your $100 commitment.
Gill said it's a way of helping local organizations that can use a cash influx to do good work locally.
It's also a way of connecting with the community, each other and some of the organizations at work here.
Since starting in 2018 the Guelph chapter of 100 Men Who Give A Damn has contribured $73,000 to local organizations, including Guelph-Wellington Women In Crisis, Wyndham House, The Drop-In Centre and the Shelldale Family Gateway.
"To be nominated for the opportunity to speak and then to be chosen to receive the money was a blessing," said Beth Harris, executive director of Michael House Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services in a testimonial.
"It was thrilling for me to call all my staff together in the office the next day and then lay the money on the table. There was a lot of clapping. Although I felt like quite a hero, it is The 100 Men who are the heroes."
Members can nominate organizations to be chosen to give their presentation at a meeting.
There are 225 members registered with the group but Gill said they are hoping to attract more.
Some members have made permanent connections with the charities after hearing about them at the meetings.
"It's a great way to help the community, it's a great way to meet some good people," he said.
Next meeting is set for Sept. 11 startingat 6:30 p.m. at the Guelph Armoury.
