100 Kids Peterborough fundraising event returns
Peterborough youth ages five to 13 are encouraged to attend the return of the 100 Kids Peterborough event on Wednesday, at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre at 347 Burnham St., from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Additional events will run at the same time and place on June 19, Sept. 18, and Dec. 18.
100 Kids Peterborough was founded in 2020 by Faith Dickinson, who noted that there are similar organizations all over the world. The group had one successful in-person event, followed by a virtual one during the pandemic, she added.
“We did a Zoom meeting, but we didn’t have as many kids because it’s a little difficult to coordinate virtually with parents, youth and families in general. So, we decided to take a pause on it back in 2020, when everything was going on with the pandemic,” she said. “And now that things have settled down a little bit, we’ve decided now is the perfect time to start it back up.”
Local youth can come to the event with $10 and listen to three fellow youth presentations on various organizations within the community, stated Dickinson.
“Then all the kids will vote on which organization they’d like to donate the money to,” she said. “So, it’s a really good way to get youth familiar with giving back to the community.”
This ensures that at least $1,000 is available for the chosen organization, she noted, though more than 100 youth may attend.
“If we get more than 100 kids, which would be wonderful, we will still have those three youths that were brought forward to present a cause that they’re passionate about,” she said. “And then we’d still vote like normal. It would just be a larger donation.”
Dickinson noted that she was inspired to create 100 Kids Peterborough because of her parents, who made a point of getting her involved within the community.
“Now that I’m older, I realize how impactful that was on me growing up, to be involved in the community is so important. I feel like a lot of youth today just might not have the opportunity or the resources to get involved on their own,” she said.
Dickinson, who now lives in Ottawa, will be unable to run the March event. Her friend, Charlotte Lewis, will be running it in her place.
Those interested in the event are encouraged to check out 100 Kids Peterborough’s website or call 705-761-3255, though no Pre-registration is required. Parents are also welcome to stay for the event.