In just over one week, 100 Women and 100 Men donated over $11,000 into two charities that will benefit the local Cochrane area.

100 Women Who Care Greater Cochrane Area continue to gain momentum as the group grows, coming in at 80+ members. At their sixth meeting, on September 13, the ladies voted to support 'Steps to Secondary' as this quarter's lucky recipient.

Steps to Secondary supports needy students transitioning to post-secondary institutions through mentorship and financial aid.

100 Women was able to collectively donate roughly $8000 to the volunteer led organization.

Amy Armitt, Co- Founder of Steps to Secondary says the money is a huge leg up for the small organization.

"We just had our first official year working with students and getting them through post secondary and it was a successful year. We are just making a real difference in these kids lives, changing things for them, we had some real success stories. To get this funding now, it just gives me shivers, it's really great. We will be able to help so many more kids."

On September 21, the inaugural meeting of 100 Men Who Give A Damn took place at Killarney's Restaurant.

Around 30 men joined forces to collectively support a local charity (or non profit group) that will have an impact on community members in the area.

Lots of questions were asked, but the men quickly got in to the swing of things and cast their first ever vote in which monies raised, supported the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area.

$3000 was collectively donated which will go to support programs for the 800-1000 youth in the community.

Laura Harper, Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area, Operations and Volunteer Coordinator, says the men's donations will go specifically towards supporting youth programming and a new van for the centre.

"We had a couple specify that they wanted it to go towards a new van, we had a couple specify that they wanted it to go to a cafe space for the youth, and one or two that wanted it to go towards instruments for the kids. So we will be able to contribute towards enhancing our youth space to make it more of a cafe to encourage the 18-24 year olds to come in.

The concept of 100 Men and 100 Women is simple; 1 hour, 100 people, $100 each, with monies raised supporting local organizations.

If you would like information on either group you will find links here, 100 Women Who Care Greater Cochrane Area and 100 Men Who Give a Damn-Cochrane

100 Women Who Care will meet up on November 8, 100 Men on December 7, and 100 Kids Who Care Cochrane will also be starting up mid November.

Cochranites once again prove what an incredible, giving town we have!