WELCOME TO IWC CHARITY (Members Only)

IWC Charity Committee concept: “Supporting the poor and vulnerable in the community in which we live”

The IWC Charity Committee aims to help those who cannot help themselves because of age, illness or disability, especially: 
- Orphans
- Disabled children
- Children with long-term illnesses
- Families in difficult situation
- Homeless people

The IWC Charity Committee has the honor and responsibility of distributing the funds the International Women's Club St Petersburg raises for charity. Our sources for funding are:
- the yearly IWC Winter Bazaar;
- 10% of IWC Membership Fees ;
- sales from IWC Photo Group;
- sales from IWC Craft Group throughout the year;
- personal donations

The IWC Charity Committee cooperates with local Charities and for every Charity there is a responsible Committee Member who is in contact with their Charity regularly. Many know their contacts personally. Each Charity can make a request to the Committee when they face a sudden need or start a new project. The Charity Committee provides funds to only emergency needs and extra projects, not recurring charges like rent or employee salaries.

The Committee meets once a month to review and consider each request carefully. After approval, the donation is delivered and the Charity provides receipts and reports back on how the donation was put to use.

IWC members are always welcome to join our meetings! If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas or if you are interested in joining the Committee, please contact us at iwccharity.stpete@gmail.com

Maria Suviniemi
Chair, IWC Charity Committee
[last updated: 4 July 2021]

JUNE 2021 : Total of 38 000 rbls distributed

• Upsala Circus 30 000 rbls

  ”Back up -fund” in case of medical injuries in circus training or other medical or social emergencies of children.

• St Iosef Society 8000 rbls

  Hepatoprotective medicine for hospitalized children from low income families suffering from tuberculosis.

MAY 2021 : Total of 413 400 rbls distributed

• Center of Music Therapy 24 000 rbls
  One of the children who goes regularly to music therapy sessions has lost her mother. This money is to help the father and for the boy, who needs a nurse and paratransit to access music therapy lessons to cover these costs.

• The Harbor 44 000 rbls

  School supplies (20 000) and household supplies (24 000) for families in need.

• The Sun 25 000 rbls

  Small summer travel for children (15 kids, 10 trips) from low income families. During the 3 month school holiday, the Sun is organizing travels for children to the parks of St. Petersburg twice a week for two months. Children will learn a lot of new and interesting things, get some fresh air and play.

• Warm Home 50 000 rbls

  Food and other necessities for their South Dacha -summer camp project for low income families. Tickets to museum for families during summer camp.

• Perspectives 29 900 rbls
  Professional kitchen blender for Home Forever -residence. All 6 residents need their food pureed.

• Tebe Verim 44 500 rbls
  Professional books for their open library, children's carpet and stationery in the consultation room, printing of informational materials (300 posters, 1500 cards with 5 rules of sexual safety) for their new campaign.

• Nochlechka 75 000 rbls
  Underwear and socks for homeless people to be distributed in their hand-out point for people in need.

• SOS Children’s village Pushkin 86 000 rbls
  1 washing machine for SOS Family House 3 (30 000) and 2 gas-cookers for SOS House 11 and 14 (28 000 x 2). SOS houses are home-like residences for children to grow up in a family-like environment. All the houses need their own kitchen and laundry facilities.

• Mother & Child 10 000 rbls

  Laundry powder for 20 low income families.

• Meridian 25 000 rbls

  Medicine, food and other necessities for 20 kids in summer camp.

APRIL 2021 : Total of 160 000 rbls distributed

• Center of Music Therapy 72 000 rbls
  Music therapy lessons for 6 children with severe disabilities for 3 months.

• Shag Navstrechu 50 000 rbls

  For computer class equipment for Orphanage nr 7 for adults with disabilities. Computers and internet helps them to connect to outside world, read news, stay in contact and entertain themselves.

• Podari Mne Krylia 30 000 rbls

  Stage for their performance Odyssey2K19 in March 2021. Theater is part of art based therapy for children and teenagers from orphanages.

• Individual donation 8000 rbls

  For a single mother suffering financial troubles in between work and social benefits. To cover the basic needs for her & her 2 children via our partner charity SOS-villages.

MARCH 2021 : Total of 125 600 rbls distributed

• The Harbor 38 000 rbls

  2 air ionizers to guarantee healthy enviroment in residential program apartments for 15 orphan graduates preparing themselves for independent living.

• The Sun 27 600 rbls

  Snacks, refreshments & household goods for a 12 class-course about different working possibilities, applying for a job and self-presentation for 40 teenagers from shelters & orphanages.

• Warm Home 60 000 rbls

  Gift cards to the supermarket Lenta for 30 families for 4 weeks (2000 rbls / card). Cards will be given to poorest families to independently shop for groceries in the supermarket (except for alcohol and cigarettes). This supports their decision making and economical skills and independence.
  

FEBRUARY 2021 : Total of 46 800 rbls distributed

• ACCR – Union of Christians 30 000 rbls
  Christmas presents for children of prisoners (400 / present = 75 presents). Christmas Tree Project supports the relationship between convicts and their families.

• St Iosef Society 16 800 rbls
  Slippers & personal hygiene items for hospitalized children and playpen for small children. Children are hospitalized for long time because of tuberculosis.

DECEMBER 2020 : Total of 160 000 rbls distributed

• Center of Music Therapy 72 000 rbls
  Music therapy lessons for 6 children with severe disabilities for 3 months.

• Center of Innovations 12 000 rbls
  New Year’s celebrations in small groups for children with low immunity.

• The Sun 16 000 rbls
  New Year’s celebrations for 60 children from orphanages and shelters.

• Upsala Circus 30 000 rbls
  For buying first aid kit and ”back up -fund” in case of medical injuries in circus training or other medical or social emergencies of children.

• Perspectives 30 000 rbls
  New fridge for a supported living unit for 6 adults with disabilities. Residence “Home Forever” supports independent living and decision making.

NOVEMBER 2020 : Total of 50 000 rbls distributed

• Big Brother, Big Sister 30 000 rbls
  Support sessions for volunteers, master classes for orphaned teenagers about creating CV, communication and business training, introduction to different professions, school supplies, virus protective products

• Meridian 20 000 rbls
  Meridian organizes winter camp for low income families and families with children with tuberculosis in the countryside. With our donation they provide food for the camp.

OCTOBER 2020 : Total of 121 600 rbls distributed

• ACCR – Union of Christians 30 000 rbls
  For buying materials for handicrafts and creativity and outdoor toys for hospitalized children with tuberculosis. Children aren't allowed to see even their family members due to quarantine at the moment.

• Harbor 30 000 rbls
  School packs for children raised by single mothers with low income.

• Podari Mne Krylia 12 000 rbls
  Cooking master classes for 14 teenagers with developmental challenges to support their skills and psychoemotional development.

• Tebe Verim 33 600 rbls
  For buying professional literature for library for the use of employees and victims of sexual abuse and their families. Full length mirror and creative kits for children to be used in psychological consultations. Ventilator for their new consultation premises.

• Individual Donations: 2 x 8000 rbls
  Individual donations for 2 elderly artists who have lost their incomes because of the epidemic.

SEPTEMBER 2020 : Total of 96 900 rbls distributed

• ACCR – Union of Christians 29 900 rbls
  Designing and printing postcards and calendars for Christmas Tree Project. Project supports the relationship between convicts and their families.

• St Iosef Society 18 000 rbls
  Medical inhalators and creative materials for children in tuberculosis hospital. Children have been in quarantine since March because of low immunity and all creative materials to keep them active are much needed.

• Center of Innovations 19 000 rbls
  Cooking and household skills lessons for 10 HIV-positive children. Ingredients and household goods for 10 lessons.

• The Sun 30 000 rbls
  Master classes about professional orientation for 50 teenagers from orphanages and shelters about professional orientation. Snacks and drinks for 12 lessons.
  

  JUNE 2020 : Total of 144 800 rbls distributed

• Partnership for Every Child 60 000 rbls
  Emergency material assistance, hygiene products, food supplies, child care products, for 10 families with critical challenges because of the pandemic to be distributed during 2 months. Personal protective gear for carers who work from home-to-home.

• St Iosef Society 7000 rbls
  Equipment for a 2-year old girl in the hospital with issues in the nervous systems to help her walk. Toys for hospitalized children since to keep them active and happy in quarantine.

• Podari Mne Krylia 77 800 rbls
  Costumes for their social theater project Iliad. Theater project support orphaned children and teenagers in socialization. The play eventually was premiered in October 2020.

MAY 2020 : Total of 68,000 rbls distributed

• Society of St Iosef Society (13 000 rbls)
  For buying materials for handicrafts and creativity and outdoor toys for hospitalized children with tuberculosis. Children aren't allowed to see even their family members due to quarantine at the moment.

• Meridian (25 000 rbls)
  Meridian organizes summer camp for low income families and families with children with tuberculosis in the countryside. With our donation they provide food for the camp. They will do necessary actions to prevent corona virus or postpone the camp if it's not safe to organize it.

• Perspectives (30 000 rbls)
  Personal protection equipment (gloves, disinfectants and hand sanitizers), needed during COVID-19 isolation for 68 families in St. Petersburg, raising children and teenagers with severe multiple mental and physical disorders

APRIL 2020 : Total of 427,000 rbls distributed

• SPECIAL ONE OFF DONATION - 20 000 rbls for 16 x charities IWC supports to prevent spreading of corona. 16 charities included: Shag Navstrechu; ACCR - Union of Christians; Advita; Big Brother, Big Sister; Mother and Child; Centre for Music Therapy; Centre of Innovations; Harbor; Meridian; Nochlezhka; SOS Children's Village; St Ioasaf; The Sun; Upsala Circus; Warm Home; Podari Mne Krylia

• Nochlechka (27 000 rbls) 
  Sanitizers and disinfectants for homeless people, staff and volunteers.

• Center for Music Therapy (72 000 rbls)
  Music therapy sessions for disabled or autistic children whose family can’t afford sessions themselves.

• Individual donation (8000 rbls)
  Family of 4: father, sick mother and two children of 8 and 10 years old. In connection with the epidemic, he lost his job. The wife cannot work due to health reasons. Now he has found a job for a very small fee. He does not have enough money to buy products for children and his wife. Donation for emergency support for this family via St Iosef Society.

MARCH 2020 : Total of 66,000 rbls distributed

• St. Iosef Society (40 000 rbls)
  Hepatoprotective medicine for 27 children from low income families suffering from tuberculosis – 23 000 rbls

  2 illuminators and materials for making cartoons with hospitalized children and youth with disabilities – 17 000 rbls

• Center of Innovations (26 000 rbls)
  Influenza preventive medicine, nebulizer and tonometer for HIV-positive children

FEBRUARY 2020 : Total of 327,000 rbls distributed

• The Sun (45 000 rbls)
  Needlework classes for orphans, including materials, snacks for breaks and multifunctional printer. Children learn to sew, knit, repair and decorate.

• Center of Innovations (40 000 rbls)
  Laptops and 2 table lamps. Center of Innovations is organizing computer classes for HIV-positive children from low income families and needs more equipment.

• SOS Children’s village Pushkin (30 000 rbls)
  Washing machine for SOS house. SOS houses are home-like environments for foster children.

• ACCR – Union of Christians (30 000 rbls)
  Christmas presents for children of prisoners. Still ongoing Christmas Tree Project supports the relationship between convicts and their families.

• Warm Home (60 000 rbls)
  Gift cards to supermarket Lenta for 17 low income families, 4 x 700 rbls / family Tickets to zoo or zoological museum: family excursions for low income families to strengthen family relationships

• Nozhlechka (70 000 rbls)
  1500 piece of underwear for homeless people in Saint Petersburg.

• The Harbor (52 000 rbls)
  Laptop for art class, fret-sewing machine and drill for carpentry class. Harbor organizes master classes and support for young people with orphanage background to support their integration to the society.

DECEMBER 2019 : Total of 181,000 rbls distributed

• The Sun (34 000 rbls)
  Christmas and New Year celebrations and performances for children in Children’s Hospital № 1 (60 children) and shelters (20). Decorations for festive decoration of the hall and sweet gifts and surprises for the Christmas presentation.

• Center for Music Therapy (72 000 rbls)
  Music therapy sessions for disabled or autistic children whose family can’t afford sessions themselves.

• ACCR – Union of Christians (30 000 rbls)
  Christmas presents for children of prisoners. Christmas Tree Project supports the relationship between convicts and their families.

• Center of Innovations (20 000 rbls)
  Christmas celebrations, including gifts, food, sweets and decorations for 25 HIV-positive children

• SOS Children’s village Pushkin (25 000 rbls)
  Gas cooker for SOS house. SOS houses are home-like environments for foster children.

1. ACCR - Union of Christians | Valentina Chernikina

2. Advita | Jina Park

3. Big Brother, Big Sisters | Cosette Lawson

4. Center for Music Therapy | Cosette Lawson

5. Center of Innovations | Astrid Wenkel

6. Meridian | Valentina Chernikina

7. Mother & Child | Lucia Cerabona

8. Nochlezhka | Tatiana Nagaitseva

9. Orphanages - Efimovsky, MGA & Syas’ Story | Valentina Chernikina

10. Partnership for Every Child | Maria Suviniemi

11. Perspectives | Maria Suviniemi

12. Podari Mne Krylia | Anastasia Tyapina

13. Shag Navstrechu | Lucia Cerabona

14. Society of St Ioasaf | Elena Kan

15. SOS Children’s Village | Astrid Wenkel

16. Tebe Verim | Maria Suviniemi

17. The Harbor | Vivi Chen

18. The Sun | Maria Suviniemi

19. Upsala Circus | Brenda Godschalk

20. Warm Home | Jane Steggall