The recently launched 100 Men Who Care Whistler chapter reached its first giving milestone last month.
The group formed this summer and held its first quarterly meeting Nov. 27 at the Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa, where members voted to decide which Sea to Sky organization would receive a donation. The contenders included Arts Whistler, the Lil’wat Nation and the Whistler Institute.
The group ultimately awarded the Lil’wat Nation $15,400 for the First Nation's youth centre’s community food program.
According to a release by 100 Men, the Nation’s hot meal program provides valuable connection opportunities and food security for youth in attendance.
“This program provides an incentive for them to come to the centre where they build positive relationships with the skilled staff team,” the release said.
The youth centre provides cultural activities, homework help, gardening and a food program. The $15,400 will help the centre assist youth for at least a year.
Chris Patrick, founder of Whistler’s 100 Men chapter, said the growth in membership of his chapter has been exponential, with 154 members in less than a year.
Further, 100 Women Who Care Whistler’s recent quarterly meeting raised $14,600, bringing the grand total to $30,000 for this quarter from the men's and women’s chapters.
“None of this stuff would have happened without Ashlie. She is the driving force of the whole thing. I hate giving her all the credit because I'm competitive. She deserves it, I could have never done it without her,” Patrick said, referencing Ashlie Girvan, who started Whistler’s women's chapter in 2019.
He also thanked the sponsors, who ensure the group can function with all funds raised going towards recipients instead of overhead.
The biggest lesson he’s learned through the process concerns the administrative duties involved.
“I’ve learned that getting people to reply to emails is one of the most difficult things on Earth,” Patrick joked.
Members of Whistler’s 100 Men chapter function much the same as 100 Women, but with a tiny difference. Members nominate Sea to Sky organizations and add them to a list to be considered for a donation. Each quarter, three names are drawn at random. Then, the chosen groups present their case at quarterly giving meetings. Patrick explained the women’s group learns who the top three charities are at their meeting, but the men went in a different direction.
“The men decided they wanted to have information so they could do a little bit of research before going, and especially if they were giving a proxy, then they could tell them who to vote for,” Patrick said.
If the chapter gets enough members, they would consider giving second- and third-place money.
“If we get to 200 members, we would certainly give it some consideration because I know there are people that would like to see that,” Patrick said.
Patrick also noted that even if certain charities don’t win the big ticket that evening, locals with deep enough pockets may consider also giving to the second and third place candidates.
“I'm a bit of a bully for telling people, ‘Look, this has only cost you $100 to do this tonight, so buck up some money for the other people too,’” he said.
To join the Men’s chapter, visit their website.
