A Yellowknife-based group that pools donations from residents to support local charities and non-profit organizations needs more members.
Landon Kowalzik, from 100 Knifers Who Give a Damn, said the group brings community members together to combine their donations and provide larger contributions to local causes.
Members donate $100 at quarterly meetings. The combined funds are given to one local charity selected during the event.
“Being able to have that one large lump-sum donation to a charity makes a huge difference for them,” Kowalzik told Cabin Radio.
But he says membership has declined in recent years, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. While the group previously had more than 120 members, meetings now typically see between 65 and 80 people contributing.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“With fewer members, we simply are able to provide less money to the charities,” he said.
“Knowing that everything is more expensive now, so not everyone is able to participate, we’re trying to make it more flexible and open so people can join, because the impact is really big and really important for Yellowknife.”
Keelen Simpson, a supporter of the group, said it offers “a wonderful opportunity to learn about the incredible work being done by volunteer organizations in Yellowknife and across the North, and an easy way to get your donations for the year in.”
“Yellowknife gave so incredibly much to me growing up there,” said Ron Muyres, another participant.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“100 Knifers has been a great way to express my gratitude by reaching back and contributing to this group’s efforts to make a meaningful difference in the community.”
Founded in 2016 as 100 Men Who Give a Damn, it was followed by the creation of 100 Women Who Give a Damn in 2017.
Over the past decade, about $390,000 has been donated to 27 recipients in the Yellowknife area, with some groups receiving support more than once.
Recent recipients include the Yellowknife Women’s Society, Special Olympics NWT, the Foster Family Coalition of the NWT and YKCares, which provides weekend food packs for families who rely on school meal programs during the week.
