A donation of more than $19,000 from 100-plus Women Who Care—Port Alberni chapter is going to help the Rollin Art Centre with some much-needed renovations, says arts administrator Melissa Martin.
The Port Alberni chapter of 100-plus Women Who Care has now made six donations over the past year and a half. There were 196 members who donated $100 each this quarter, and the Community Arts Council/ Rollin Art Centre was chosen out of a number of organizations.
“It’s pretty amazing when you see the impact after just 45 minutes or one meeting,” says Tracy Locke, a 100-plus Women Who Care member.
Martin was especially appreciative of the donation because the arts are often put behind other non-profit organizations that provide food or shelter to people.
The Rollin Art Centre “is not just a gallery,” she explained. “We sit on four city lots and we have to maintain all those lots.”
The building was formerly a house built on Eighth Avenue in 1913 and owned by Fred and Ellen Rollin. The gardens surrounding the building are a living legacy to Fred Rollins, who was an avid gardener and naturalist. Ellen Rollin was for many years one of the only music teachers in the Alberni Valley.
The Rollin Art Centre came into fruition in 1977, thanks to a donation by the Rollins family and the efforts of community arts council volunteers.
The 100-plus Women Who Care donation will be put toward maintenance of the Rollin Art Centre, specifically repairs to the roof, the upstairs landing and deck and will also help the arts council pay for painting.
“It’s enough money to make a difference,” arts council member Claudia Romaniuk said.
Other Alberni Valley-based charities that have also benefited from $102,000 worth of donations include Ty Watson House Hospice, Special Olympics, Alberni Community and Women’s Services (ACAWS), Bread of Life and Neighbourhood Link’s Read and Feed program.
For more information on how to join 100-plus Women Who Care or to be considered for a charitable donation, go online to www.100womenalberni.com. Members must nominate a charity for consideration. The next meeting will take place April 4 at the Best Western Barclay Plus Hotel, 4277 Stamp Ave. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.