This article first appeared on HaltonHillsToday March 19.
With tens of thousands raised and just over 100 members under its umbrella, the Halton Hills chapter of 100 Men Who Care is set to celebrate its first anniversary.
The group will be marking this milestone on May 29 beginning at 7 p.m. in The Club at North Halton in Georgetown. Mayor Ann Lawlor will make an appearance.
The men have come a long way since their first meeting in the spring of 2023. Looking back, founder Darryl Ford says they have much to be proud of.
“When I first started this initiative, I wasn’t sure we would get one meeting, but we’ve actually managed to get four meetings,” Ford told HaltonHillsToday.
The 100 men and women concept asks its members to meet quarterly to vote on which charity to support. Once decided, members donate $100 each to the chosen cause.
At the local men's first meeting, membership stood at roughly 50 participants - a figure that has now more than doubled. The money they've doled out for Halton charities has been no slouch either, raising just over $26,500 across their four meetings. Food4Kids Halton, Community Living North Halton, Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills and Out of the Cold have all benefited from 100 Men’s fundraising efforts.
Ford credits the Georgetown Dads Facebook group with helping get the word out about 100 Men Who Care and in turn grow its membership.
"I think there are a lot of men on there who are quite involved in charities," he said.
"Right from the onset when we met the men, they were so positive, they were so encouraging and they’ve always reached out to help.”
100 Men has a local sister group called the 100 Women Who Care Halton Hills, which marked its five-year anniversary late last year. The women's group helped raise awareness about the concept and is one of the reasons why membership grew in the men's group.
“When I heard about one being created for men, it was a no-brainer,” said Royal LePage realtor Tony Dagostino, whose wife is part of the women's group.
“I truly believe in the ‘shop local, support local' [philosophy]. Nothing embraces that more than being part of a group that lives this with the support we give to a local charity every quarter.”
Others joined because of the example it sets. When the 100 Men donated to Community Living North Halton, CLNH board President Tim O'Connor said he saw the group's generosity firsthand.
“I was asked to come thank the group on behalf of CLNH, and while there I was impressed with the great group of gentlemen," he said. "I decided during that meeting that I would love to be part of this group."
100 Men Who Care Halton Hills is always looking for new members. Those interested in joining can find more information at 100MenWhoCareHaltonHills.com - or 100WomenHaltonHills.com for women.
Ford says those who are interested, but unsure can simply show up at a meeting and have a look without signing up.
