It happens from time to time...a pleasant surprise that keeps us guessing. The coffee or chocolate on our desk without any indication of who left it; a basket of fresh-picked produce at the door; or some flowers delivered without a card. It's nice to know someone cares, even if we don't know who it is.
Earlier this week, ShareLife received an incredible surprise. An anonymous donor, through a third party, made a $10,000 donation to ShareLife! No name. No explanation. No tax receipt required. It seems we have a secret admirer with a very generous heart.
This act of kindness is going to make a world of difference for many people. This amount could do all of the following: help five youth find and keep jobs through Covenant House, fund 10 hours of counselling for 10 teenaged girls who will learn they're pregnant during the course of this year, allow eight young people to attend a week of American Sign Language training at a Silent Voice summer camp, give 20 clients at one of the Catholic Family Services offices an hour of counselling services AND feed 16 families in Rwanda for one week as they work toward self-sufficiency - all with one donation! These are just some of the possible wonders that can be worked with this generous contribution.
Thanks to our Secret Admirer, and all of you who support the work of ShareLife agencies. It's nice to know you care about the work we do and the people we do it for.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Celebrating Our Place - on the front lines in downtown TO
Last week, Barry Brown spoke to a number of employees here about the fantastic work being done at his ShareLife-funded agency - Our Place.
Our Place, Community of Hope, is a drop-in centre in the heart of downtown Toronto, providing a safe, welcoming environment for people with chronic mental illnesses. Barry, his staff and volunteers, have eaked out a space in the middle of a tough and busy city where people are accepted as they are.
He told us the story of one community member who has struggled with drug and alcohol addictions since he was a young teen. With the support of the Our Place community, counselling and some advocacy, he found the strength to kick his addictions. Today, he speaks to young people who are at risk of becoming addicts themselves - he's turned his life around and is trying to stop kids from following in his very worn and weary footsteps.
These simple, often heart-breaking, stories like Barry's represent just one of thousands of such successes (wonders, really) happening every day with the help of ShareLife funding.
I'm truly thankful for Barry and people like him - the people on the front lines, who are changing lives for the better every day. And I'm happy to be able to help them through my own work and through my donations.
Our Place, Community of Hope, is a drop-in centre in the heart of downtown Toronto, providing a safe, welcoming environment for people with chronic mental illnesses. Barry, his staff and volunteers, have eaked out a space in the middle of a tough and busy city where people are accepted as they are.
He told us the story of one community member who has struggled with drug and alcohol addictions since he was a young teen. With the support of the Our Place community, counselling and some advocacy, he found the strength to kick his addictions. Today, he speaks to young people who are at risk of becoming addicts themselves - he's turned his life around and is trying to stop kids from following in his very worn and weary footsteps.
These simple, often heart-breaking, stories like Barry's represent just one of thousands of such successes (wonders, really) happening every day with the help of ShareLife funding.
I'm truly thankful for Barry and people like him - the people on the front lines, who are changing lives for the better every day. And I'm happy to be able to help them through my own work and through my donations.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Finding a silver lining...
The news in the past couple of days has highlighted the tough hit charities took last year. The Globe had an article in yesterday's paper and The Star had one today, based on Statistics Canada findings that charitable giving dropped overall last year though the number of donors rose. This shouldn't be a big surprise to anyone - we certainly felt the results of the downturn here at ShareLife.
While the results left us a bit deflated - we're conscious that our fundraising results can affect the critical services provided to thousands of people in need - one trend gave us real hope for the future. As we looked back at the results of the 2009 campaign, we noticed that neighbourly love is alive and well. In some of the areas hardest hit by the economic downturn, we saw some of the biggest increases in overall giving. In places where many workers were losing their jobs and experiencing increased financial and family stress, ShareLife received more support than ever before. Where help was most needed, people gave more.
This sign of hope has me moving forward in Campaign 2010 with optimism, believing that, together, we really can work wonders!
While the results left us a bit deflated - we're conscious that our fundraising results can affect the critical services provided to thousands of people in need - one trend gave us real hope for the future. As we looked back at the results of the 2009 campaign, we noticed that neighbourly love is alive and well. In some of the areas hardest hit by the economic downturn, we saw some of the biggest increases in overall giving. In places where many workers were losing their jobs and experiencing increased financial and family stress, ShareLife received more support than ever before. Where help was most needed, people gave more.
This sign of hope has me moving forward in Campaign 2010 with optimism, believing that, together, we really can work wonders!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wonders being worked in the Philippines
The community responds with great generosity when disaster strikes.
If you recall, in September Tropical Storm Ketsana struck the Philippines, displacing more than 600,000 people. The reaction to help was swift and effective. As of October 31, the community raised $92,488 and funds continue to come in. (picture below from one of the generous groups that have stepped forward to assist the victims)
Your generosity is working wonders in the Philippines.
As of October 23, more than 12,161 food packs had been distributed in the areas of Malolos, Antipolo, Pampanga, San Pablo, Cavite and Pangasinan. Also distributed were: 8,222 water jugs, 8,455 household and cooking items, 5,727 slippers, and 1.4 million medical supplies. A team is now working in Bulacan and Pampanga to identify potential rehabilitation projects for the victims in an effort to help them start rebuilding their lives.
A fundraising jam session for relief efforts in the Philippines was held on October 9 at the Kalayaan Center in Mississauga. At that event, an initial cheque for $7,500 was presented to ShareLife . Standing L-R: University of the Philippines Alumni Association President Joe Zagala, Ondoy Fund Task Force Chair Fred Gamboa, ShareLife Executive Director Arthur Peters, Ondoy Task Force Co-Chair Malou Parcero, President of Kalayaan Community Centre Mama Ching Quejas, College of the Holy Spirit Alumni Association President Beng Lorayes, San Beda College Alumni Association officer Rolly Cunanan, UPAA Treasurer Gena Baldivia and Philippine Artist Group President Omel Masalunga. (Photo courtesy of Rene Sevilla)
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this effort.
If you recall, in September Tropical Storm Ketsana struck the Philippines, displacing more than 600,000 people. The reaction to help was swift and effective. As of October 31, the community raised $92,488 and funds continue to come in. (picture below from one of the generous groups that have stepped forward to assist the victims)
Your generosity is working wonders in the Philippines.
As of October 23, more than 12,161 food packs had been distributed in the areas of Malolos, Antipolo, Pampanga, San Pablo, Cavite and Pangasinan. Also distributed were: 8,222 water jugs, 8,455 household and cooking items, 5,727 slippers, and 1.4 million medical supplies. A team is now working in Bulacan and Pampanga to identify potential rehabilitation projects for the victims in an effort to help them start rebuilding their lives.
A fundraising jam session for relief efforts in the Philippines was held on October 9 at the Kalayaan Center in Mississauga. At that event, an initial cheque for $7,500 was presented to ShareLife . Standing L-R: University of the Philippines Alumni Association President Joe Zagala, Ondoy Fund Task Force Chair Fred Gamboa, ShareLife Executive Director Arthur Peters, Ondoy Task Force Co-Chair Malou Parcero, President of Kalayaan Community Centre Mama Ching Quejas, College of the Holy Spirit Alumni Association President Beng Lorayes, San Beda College Alumni Association officer Rolly Cunanan, UPAA Treasurer Gena Baldivia and Philippine Artist Group President Omel Masalunga. (Photo courtesy of Rene Sevilla) Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this effort.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Working Wonders at Work!
Whoa! Time has been moving quickly here...I'm overdue for an update.
These days, members of the ShareLife team are in the heat of the Corporate Campaign, asking corporations and business leaders to support the critical work of our agencies. We're also sending material to employees "in the trenches" at several companies, promoting our workplace giving options. The corporate community has consistently stepped forward in the past - some companies, such as the five big banks (TD, RBC, BMO, ScotiaBank, and CIBC), Marsh Canada, Great-West Life Assurance and more, have contributed to the campaign since its outset in 1976.
While the Corporate Campaign represents about 10% of the overall ShareLife fundraising effort, it is a crucial part of our activities, raising awareness among people in the workplace and maintaining important community partnerships. A contribution from a company is an endorsement of the important services our agencies provide. Together, ShareLife and the business community are working wonders!
On another note...
We have been contacted by a company that helps charities receive text message charitable donations. If you've used this technology before, let me know what you think.
These days, members of the ShareLife team are in the heat of the Corporate Campaign, asking corporations and business leaders to support the critical work of our agencies. We're also sending material to employees "in the trenches" at several companies, promoting our workplace giving options. The corporate community has consistently stepped forward in the past - some companies, such as the five big banks (TD, RBC, BMO, ScotiaBank, and CIBC), Marsh Canada, Great-West Life Assurance and more, have contributed to the campaign since its outset in 1976.
While the Corporate Campaign represents about 10% of the overall ShareLife fundraising effort, it is a crucial part of our activities, raising awareness among people in the workplace and maintaining important community partnerships. A contribution from a company is an endorsement of the important services our agencies provide. Together, ShareLife and the business community are working wonders!
On another note...
We have been contacted by a company that helps charities receive text message charitable donations. If you've used this technology before, let me know what you think.
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