A new chapter is being created in Cochrane, focusing on Cochrane youth.

100 Kids Who Care will be hosting it's inaugural meeting on November 17.

Co-organizer Lori Toma says the whole idea is to bring Cochrane youth together to show the impact collective giving can create on the community.

"We are looking to bring a bunch of youth together to contribute either a charitable act, volunteer hours, or a cash donation and we are going to gather all those up and give them to one charity in the community."

Toma feels 100 Kids will have a different feel compared to similar chapters like 100 Women Who Care and 100 Men Who Give a Damn.

"It is such a simple concept and small time commitment but it teaches an integral part of growing up and that's the idea; giving back to the community that you live in and how working together can make such a huge difference in someone's life. It is an attractive concept that we as parents and community members try to teach our youth anyway so this is something that we can build upon."

The first meeting will see the youth donate an age appropriate (according to their age), unwrapped toy to the Cochrane Activettes 'Share Your Christmas' campaign. Toma states the chapter is not just about donating dollars but looking at the bigger picture.

"We hope that parents see it as another avenue for them to bring their kids (if they are under the age of 12 they will have to stay with their children or they can drop them off if they're a bit older) and spend a hour or so with other like minded youth and come up with plans to make a great difference in our community; whether that be through a volunteer commitment or whether they decide to do fundraising to donate money to a certain charity."

Leadership will become a focus, not only with older youth joining but building leadership skills in younger children. Toma is hoping the youth eventually lead the meetings.

"We have already had some interest from Cochrane High School 'Leadership Class', ideally, that is what we would like to see as founders of the group is to have it eventually mutually run by the youth in the group, so it can be their group. I am looking forward to seeing how it grows organically from our simple concept to see where they take it.

If you are interested in having your child or children be involved you can email kidswhocarecochrane@gmail.commore information on the group can also be found here.

100 Kids Who Care will meet at the Cochrane Public Library on November 17 at 6:30 pm.