BELLEVILLE – They say that helping hands make light work and in the case of 100+ Women Who Care Quinte, this couldn’t be more true.

On Wednesday afternoon, the local group presented a cheque for $16,905.00 to the Three Oaks Shelter and Services in Belleville

The local shelter has been active in the community for the past 30 years.

The 100+ Women who Care Quinte group started last September in response to the local group 100 Men Who Care Quinte.

Every meeting, each member of the group pitches in $100 dollars to be given to the group’s selected charity.

All members have the opportunity to nominate a local charity or organization to receive the group’s collective donations.

Three nominated organizations are randomly drawn where the nominating members make presentations on why their organization deserves the funding.

Then the 100+ Women vote and present a cheque to the winning charitable group.

In just four quick hour-long meetings, the group has raised thousands of dollars for local non-profit and charitable organizations in the community to date.  

“It’s about empowering women and getting them together,” said one of the group’s leadership committee members Corrina Green. “If you think of golf tournaments and galas and all the things that raise big amounts of dollars, we have raised $63,000 in four hours.”

Sandy Watson-Moyles is a member of 100+ Women of Quinte as well as the Executive Director of Three Oaks.

She said funding the shelter is hard at times considering they are often underfunded

“We have to fundraise in order to meet our base budget so getting donations of this magnitude is essential to our operations,” she said. “It’s so very much appreciated.”

The money will also go towards the Three Oaks first aid shelter for women and children who have been abused.

Watson-Moyles said the shelter is often full so the need for the organization in the community is quite obvious.  

“Last year I can tell you that over 700 women came and accessed one of our services whether it be second stage, first stage or community counseling,” she said. “It’s sad that we are needed but it’s wonderful that we’re there to provide that service.”

She also said she chose to be a member of 100+ Women of Quinte to help be a part of a group looking to make a big difference in the community.  

“$100 dollars is fabulous but when you put all the power of those women together, that’s a pretty phenomenal amount of money that a charity can actually do some work with for sure,” she said.

The next 100+ Women of Quinte is in September and will be held at the Greek Banquet Hall on Harder Drive in Belleville.