Campaign finishes on a high note

THANK YOU!

THANKS to everyone who made a contribution to the 2010 ShareLife campaign before it concluded on July 31.

THANKS to everyone who volunteered their time to help the campaign along. Whether it was organizing a bake sale at work, helping out with a fun fair at a school, serving meals at a church charity dinner, or counting contributions after ShareLife Sunday collections at a parish, you made a difference.

THANKS to you all.

The final tally isn’t in yet but it looks like we’re on track for a record Parish Campaign! After falling nearly $300,000 behind previous results last year, Catholics in the Archdiocese of Toronto have stepped forward like never before to support the critical work of ShareLife funded agencies. It appears that we've recovered that lost ground and gained some as well - thanks, I'm sure, to the added incentive of the ShareLife Community Challenge! While we're not likely to reach the $12 million goal, we’re on track to surpass any amount ever raised before in the Parish Campaign.

When I know the results, I’ll pass it on to you here.

In the meantime, we can celebrate together! More than 225,000 people – each with a personal and unique story, and pain – will receive the care and support they need to lift themselves up and live with dignity. All with the help of generous ShareLife supporters.

Thank you once again. You are working wonders!

The Wonders of Mary Centre

I had the pleasure last week of visiting some of the locations for Mary Centre, a ShareLife agency that serves people with developmental challenges. I was there with photographer Bill Wittman, collecting photographs and stories for upcoming campaigns – look for the results in the 2011 ShareLife promotional material!

I’m fortunate in my work because I have the opportunity to see how ShareLife funding makes a difference in the community; how it changes lives and lifts people up to their fullest potential. My visit to Mary Centre reinforced this fact in a very real way – small wonders unfolded before my eyes over the course of those two days.

In one case, I met 64-year-old George Bishop. For years, life was a struggle for George. He lived on his own in a dangerous, pest-infested apartment building, working for Goodwill services to try to make ends meet. He lived in isolation and relied on a local food bank for his meals. After a heart attack and a bone-fracturing fall, he wasn’t able to get out for work or for his meals.

George Bishop and Tamara Despard

By the time he met Tamara Despard, a community support worker with Mary Centre, three years ago, he was undernourished, facing eviction, and had no place to turn. Mary Centre advocated for George, arranged funding support to keep him off the street, and Tamara visited him frequently to help him get back on his feet. With her help, George transitioned into a nearby nursing home eight months ago, where he is safe, well-fed and well cared for. He receives visitors – Tamara continues to drop by – and enjoys social events at the residence. (He really enjoys the birthday parties.)

The staff at Mary Centre are convinced George’s life would have been in great jeopardy if he had been evicted – he likely would have died anonymously in squalor. Today, he receives care and support, sharing the small joys of life with people around him on a daily basis.

I also met other Mary Centre clients with different stories that were equally compelling. All of them have benefited from the hard work of the people at Mary Centre – and from ShareLife funding.

Thanks for your support – it really does work wonders!

The Final Push! - Greeting the last 50 days

ShareLife staff and representatives have been moving forward under full-throttle for the past several weeks, driving ahead as the July 31 campaign conclusion looms.

The third diocese-wide collection was held on May 30, with volunteers speaking to parishioners, committees promoting the good work of our agencies, and priests encouraging the participation of the Catholic community in this important annual appeal. To date, the parish campaign has raised just over $9.6 million of its $12 million goal - we're thankful to all who have contributed so far.

On the corporate campaign front, a couple of key events have been conducted in the past few days:
The 15th annual ShareLife Corporate Golf Tournament took place at Lionhead Golf & Country Club on June 7, with 152 participants playing over the links in the signature fundraising event of the campaign. We're grateful for the support of so many loyal and generous supporters of this event. This year, we were treated to a keynote presentation from Olympic hockey gold medallist Becky Kellar, who inspired the room during the tournament dinner.

Becky Kellar with Guy Ouellette, who won an auction to have a personalized autograph on a replica jersey.

On June 10, an intimate evening cocktail party was hosted at the private residence of one of our generous supporters in Woodbridge. With the goal of raising funds and awareness about the ShareLife corporate campaign in the local business community, the evening was a success by all accounts.
The ongoing support of the business community is an important element  of ShareLife's success, reinforcing the presence of Catholic charity in all aspects of life - parish life and work life.
And school life, too!

On that note, we heard about a fantastic success story this week in York Region. The school community at St. Elizabeth Secondary School presented ShareLife with a cheque for $10,000 - the proceeds of a carnival the school hosted as a ShareLife fundraising event. Congratulations to everyone at St. Elizabeth and thank you very much for your hard work and your generous support.

As you can tell, the campaign remains active on all fronts. With less than 50 days left in the campaign year, we have much still to accomplish in order to reach our ultimate goal. The result, however, will be the ongoing care of the weak, vulnerable and needy in the Archdiocese of Toronto and around the world.

Thanks again to everyone who has provided their support thus far. And for anyone who hasn't yet made a gift to ShareLife this year...there's no better time than the present.

Get in the Swing! - Golf, Agency Awareness and a Gold Medallist

Once a year, more than 150 corporate and community leaders gather together for the Annual ShareLife Corporate Golf Tournament, the signature event of the year for the corporate campaign.

Corporate executives, small and medium-sized business people, and a handful of clergy will hit the links at Lionhead Golf & Country Club on June 7 this year in support of ShareLife and the network of agencies we support. For the past few years, the event has raised more than $90,000 after expenses for the cause - nearly the entire allocation for a few of our agencies. The golf tournament also raises increased awareness of the social issues addressed by ShareLife funding. While the golfers attend for a round of golf and an enjoyable day, it's important that they understand the impact their support of ShareLife has in the community.

This year, we'll be joined by Becky Kellar, veteran member of the Canadian Women's Olympic gold medal-winning hockey team. Becky will be speaking about her Olympic experience during the evening reception. As well, four ShareLife agencies will be represented at the dinner, giving donors a chance to connect with some of the people on the front lines of our service provision.

On course, golfers will have a chance to match their drives against ShareLife Executive Director Arthur Peters or yours truly (depending which of the courses they're playing). Those who beat us receive tickets for a raffle at the end of the day - in my case, I'm sure I'll be surrendering tickets all day long!

Check out the details and join us if you can!

The $1,000 you spent last year but likely didn't know about

When we receive contributions for ShareLife, we're really receiving them on behalf of the network of Catholic agencies ShareLife supports. We do our best to constantly raise awareness around the issues ShareLife agencies face, and the critical services they provide to the community.

 

We recently completed the first of what will be many information pieces about those issues; this one focusses on addictions. The problem is serious and significant in Canadian society. Last year, every Canadian spent more than $1,000 dealing with a substance abuse problem!

 

Some other facts that we came across while researching the piece included that fact that:

• 13.6% of Canadians are high risk drinkers
• about 10% of Canadians are dependent on alcohol at some time in their lives
• 37% of people who abuse alcohol and 53% who abuse drugs also have a mental illness
• 30% of people diagnosed with a mental illness also have a substance abuse problem
• 75% of homeless people with mental illness also have a substance abuse problem
• in the year prior to being homeless, 20% of clients received addiction services
• The Canadian economy loses $18.6 billion/year due to substance abuse in the workplace

 

ShareLife agencies are part of the solution for many people struggling with addictions in the Greater Toronto Area. Should you, or someone you know need a hand with an addiction, these ShareLife agencies can help:

 

Catholic Community Services of York Region – partnership in York Region Addiction Services
(905) 770-7040/(800) 263-2075 ccsyr.org

 

Catholic Family Services of Peel-Dufferin – individual assistance
(905) 450-1608/(905) 897-1644  cfspd.com

 

Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County – Choices for Change
(705) 726-2503/(800) 725-2503 cfssc.ca

 

Catholic Family Services of Toronto – individual assistance
(416) 921-1163  cfsofto.org

 

Good Shepherd Centre – DARE (Drug and Alcohol Recovery Enrichment) program
(416) 869-3619  goodshepherd.ca

 

Mater Dei/Carmelina’s House – two-year in-residence counselling and care
(416) 242-4207  carmelinashome.com

 

Matt Talbot Houses – St. Michael’s Homes
(416) 926-8267

Students raise awareness around poverty, homelessness

Students from Cardinal Ambrozic Catholic Secondary School in Brampton took to the outdoors Thursday night (May 6) in an effort to raise awareness around the issues of poverty and homelessness.

Nearly 50 students spent the night sleeping in tents and cardboard boxes in the school field, gaining a slight sense of what it might be like to be homeless. The event included a spartan meal of soup, bread, and water, discussion around the issues of poverty and homelessness in the community and a candlelight prayer vigil. Prior to the event, students took charitable pledges for their efforts and contributed the proceeds to ShareLife.

ShareLife Executive Director Arthur Peters had a chance to be with the students and teachers that evening, sharing stories about our agencies and needs of the Brampton community.

Congratulations and thanks to Chaplaincy Leader Angelo Minardi, the staff and students who participated in the event. This was the first time the school has conducted an event like this. Who knows, it may catch on - this could be the start of a new Cardinal Ambrozic tradition!

Check out images from the event on the school website.

Fraudulent fundraising

Unfortunately, we received a report this week that two young people have been canvassing door-to-door in the Orangeville area, telling residents they are high school students and are collecting funds on behalf of ShareLife.


This is not true. Working with our school board partners, ShareLife encourages a number of creative, educational and fun ways for school communities to raise funds for the good work of ShareLife agencies -- door-to-door canvassing is not part of any ShareLife school fundraising efforts.

It's troubling to us that anyone would misrepresent ShareLife in the community - even more so, that they were allegedly doing so in order to take money from people.

If you or someone you know comes across any suspicious ShareLife fundraising, please contact our office. If you feel a crime has been committed, you are also encouraged to contact your local police services.

Street Haven - your contributions at work

It's always affirming to know that our collective efforts in the ShareLife campaign are making an impact in the community - that's certainly the case at Street Haven at the Crossroads.

Yesterday, Gita Schwartz, the interim executive director at Street Haven, told us about the work being done by her women's shelters, residences and counselling centres. Serving homeless, abused and addicted women in the downtown core of Toronto, Street Haven  provides safety, comfort and, for some, an opportunity to turn their lives around.

Of note, Schwartz pointed out that:

• Street Haven is one of only three women's agencies in Ontario to offer addictions programs that are longer than three weeks (theirs are 6 months). ShareLife funding helps support that extended service by paying for a staff person in that program.
• ShareLife funding helps supplement the grocery budget at the agency's shelter, allowing them to buy more nutritious food for the women who turn to Street Haven for a meal.
• ShareLife funding also provides funding for recreation programs and for the flower garden that is maintained by women at The Hostel - that space offers peace and comfort for hundreds of women every year.

Street Haven does a lot more than just this, providing computer training and job readiness programs, offering supportive housing, residential care, counselling, and much more. That said, Schwartz made it clear that ShareLife's allocation makes a difference, providing the women at Street Haven with comfort, care and renewed dignity.

Thanks to all who have supported our campaign already this year...you're clearly working wonders!

Preparing for the Second Collection

Approaching the second collection weekend for the 2010 ShareLife Parish Campaign, we're less than halfway to our $12 million goal, but we're optimistic.

The ShareLife Community Challenge continues to draw interest from parishioners and from companies contributing to the campaign - many are returning after a lapse in giving and others are increasing their gifts, all directly linked to this gift matching program. I hope this generous program will help bring us to our goal in what is proving to be a challenging year. (We have a sense that Haitian and Chilean relief, as well as international abuse scandals, have affected some people's giving levels to ShareLife this year.)

There is another international disaster response under way - this time in China, following the earthquake that struck earlier this month. We are accepting contributions and can ensure they get to the workers on the ground as they assist the thousands and thousands of victims affected by this natural disaster.

With people at home and people abroad all in need of our help, it may sometimes be difficult to keep our hearts open to the needs presented to us. Please pray for the vulnerable and needy around us, for the Chinese people, and for the success of the ShareLife Campaign as we head into the second collection weekend, April 24-25.

Stewards of our neighbours and our world

I recently had a conversation with a parishioner from Scarborough who asked about any environmental policies or practices we incorporate into the ShareLife campaign. We talked about our collective responsibilty to be good stewards of this world. As a result, I thought I would share a couple of our intitiatives with you.

I'm conscious of the fact that we use a lot of paper to promote the ShareLife campaign: posters, brochures, letters, envelopes and more. We have a massive diocese, including more than 350,000 households registered with our 225 parishes. Getting the ShareLife message out to them all takes a lot of resources.

Last year, we implimented a program to better streamline our direct mail campaign. As a result, we eliminated more than 35,000 extraneous addresses (duplicates, wrong addresses, and undeliverable mail) from our mailings for the 2010 ShareLife Campaign -- a tangible financial and a resource (paper) savings.

As well, this year, all ShareLife Parish Campaign posters were printed on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified paper and carry the FSC logo (meaning the paper used meets a rigorous environmental and social standard for responsible forest management). We were able to do so with only a minimal increase in costs. It's not the same as using 100% post-consumer paper, and it still involves a great deal of resources, but it's a good first step.

We also explored the cost of using FSC-certified paper for the ShareLife brochures, by far the largest portion of our paper use. The increased cost implication, however, was prohibitive this year. We are continuing to work with our printers to find cost-effective ways to be better environmental stewards. We have to balance the responsible use of donor contributions with our environmental responsibility. My hope is that we will one day use only FSC-certified papers for all ShareLife campaign materials.

In the meantime, we'll continue to reduce our environmental footprint while making a positive impact on the community through our network of ShareLife agencies.

ShareLife message goes underground

Last Wednesday, more than 75 students from Bishop Morocco Secondary School and Neil McNeil High School in Toronto and from St. Joseph Secondary School in Mississauga hit five Toronto Transit Commission stations for the morning rush hour, raising awareness and funds for ShareLife and its network of agencies.

While serving as a fundraising drive, the morning also served as an educational experience for the students. As part of the process, they were encouraged to do research on some of the important social services provided by ShareLife agencies, so they could answer questions they were asked by passers by. As well, they attended an orientation session to ensure they conducted themselves in a respectful manner and were familiar with TTC fundraising guidelines. They were asked to exercise the same level of care and respect afforded everyone who turns to a ShareLife agency.


All told, the students raised $4022 an increase of $281 over last year's effort!

Thanks to all the students who participated in the day - you represented yourselves, your schools and ShareLife well. Thanks as well to the Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto Catholic District School Board and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board for their partnership in this important student activity.

ShareLife speakers bear witness to wonders

It's been a busy few weeks around here, preparing for and following up on the first ShareLife collection in parishes throughout the archdiocese.

At this time of year, ShareLife staff members and employees of ShareLife agencies are busy speaking to parishioners at weekend Masses, providing information and testimonials about the important work being done in the community with the help of ShareLife funding. We're truly thankful for the additional effort and the time away from family these people provide - theirs are the stories from the trenches; the evidence that our collective response really is helping people weather the troubled waters of their lives.

Early indications are that $2.5 million was received at parishes during last weekend's collections. We know several parishes didn't have the chance to report their results before the first tally took place, so we're hopefull the actual number is much higher.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the campaign already - your support gives the campaign the momentum it needs to get to the goal of $12 million. If you haven't had a chance to make a contribution yet, please do. Your gift can make a real and meaningful difference - next time you hear a ShareLife speaker, you'll hear how.

Chilean Earthquake Relief

Communication is being distributed to all parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto today, letting them know we're accepting monetary contributions to the relief efforts in Chile, following the dramatic 8.8 earthquake that shook the region last Saturday. The quake left hundreds of people dead and an estimated 1.5 million more displaced from their homes.

Working through the Catholic Church's official international relief network, Caritas Internationalis, funds will be sent to our partners at Development and Peace (the Caritas representative in Canada). Development and Peace will forward the funds to Caritas Chile, which is distributing food through its network in the country. Caritas has also sent a search and rescue team to help find survivors trapped under rubble.

Those wishing to help through a financial contribution may do so in the following ways:
Online through ShareLife's website (www.sharelife.org)
By phone through the ShareLife office – 1-800-263-2595 or 416-934-3411
Through your parish, making cheques payable to: Parish Name - Earthquake - Chile

We offer our prayers for the thousands of families affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

Out on the wire

We support the promotion, operation and administration of the ShareLife campaigns in many ways here in our office. We connect with some people in Catholic schools, through Catholic networking events and, of course, in the 224 Catholic parishes of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Sometimes, we stretch beyond our Catholic boundaries, reaching out to the entire community.
Today, we did just that by distributing the press release below.

Confident that our materials have arrived at all the parishes and that efforts are earnestly underway, this provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness... awareness of the desparate need for help in our communities and awareness of how ShareLife, through the agencies we fund, addresses those needs. In this case, we also want to raise awareness around the ShareLife Community Challenge and the wonderful opportunity it provides for us to increase the impact your gifts can make.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GTA Catholics mobilize to assist 225,000 people in need
–Donor offers $500,000 to inspire generosity at home–

Toronto (February 26, 2010) – Catholics in the Greater Toronto Area are turning their attention from Haiti to home with the launch of the $12 million annual ShareLife parish fundraising campaign, helping ShareLife agencies assist more than 225,000 people in need in our area.

The Archdiocese of Toronto has launched its annual charitable appeal, ShareLife, in its 224 parishes. The annual fundraising campaign, conducted from February to July, supports more than 40 Catholic agencies in the area – primarily social service agencies – through annual allocations and one-time grants. This campaign follows on the heels of a successful disaster relief appeal that raised nearly $4 million for the people of Haiti.

“Parish and schools across the Archdiocese of Toronto were incredibly generous in their support of Haitian earthquake victims – we’re sincerely grateful for their efforts. Now, we’re asking people to turn their attention to our own communities,” said Michael McBride, volunteer chair of the ShareLife campaign. “Sadly, we see tragic circumstances and lives torn apart each day here at home. While they may not garner the same attention as natural disasters, we need to address the pain and suffering that is present in our neighbourhoods. The pressure on our agencies is greater than ever, with more than $800,000 in unmet needs identified this year.”

ShareLife social services agencies, such as Good Shepherd Centre, Covenant House, Street Haven at the Crossroads, and the Catholic Family Services network, offer counselling and support to more than 225,000 people throughout the Greater Toronto Area, regardless of their background or beliefs. Last year, the ShareLife parish campaign raised $11.4 million and the overall campaign (including corporate, school and parish contributions) reached $13.7 million. The overall goal for the 2010 campaign is $14.15 million.

“Our goal is ambitious but we are committed to helping address the practical needs of some of the most vulnerable, troubled and marginalized people in our midst,” said Arthur Peters, executive director of ShareLife. “This is a tangible opportunity for the Catholic community to make an impact that can change lives forever.”

Matching gift challenge offers additional incentive
Helping the 2010 ShareLife campaign toward its goal, an anonymous parishioner has stepped forward with a gift challenge. Through the ShareLife Community Challenge, all new and increased gifts to the campaign will be matched, up to a total of $500,000.

“Donors are more familiar with gift matching programs following the intense publicity around the federal government’s matching commitment for Haitian relief. We’re extremely grateful to build on that awareness for our own campaign this year,” said Peters. “We hope our supporters will recognize the opportunity the ShareLife Community Challenge provides to increase the impact of their contributions, maximizing support for the critical work of our agencies.”

Contributions from people who did not donate to the campaign in 2009 will be matched dollar-for-dollar. And, for donors who contributed last year, the amount of any increase over their 2009 gift will be matched. The ShareLife Community Challenge applies to all gifts made to ShareLife, through its parish, school and corporate campaigns, up to July 31, 2010.

ShareLife, the charitable annual appeal of the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, raises and allocates funds to support care and outreach to those in need in our communities and around the world through a network of Catholic agencies. The Archdiocese of Toronto, Canada’s largest diocese, is home to 1.9 million Catholics and 224 parishes, stretching from Toronto to Georgian Bay and from Mississauga to Oshawa.

Caritas eyes reconstruction projects in Haiti

The president of Caritas Internationalis, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, visited Haiti yesterday to assess the situation there. Of course, some political leaders, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, have done the same.

The cardinal's visit was timed to deliver aid and spiritual solidarity to the Haitian people and their church. He indicated that, after a two-month campaign focused on relief, Caritas will begin a reconstruction program focused on housing, education and livelihoods, which will last up to five years. In all $234 million has been dedicated to the Caritas Internationalis Haitian relief effort by private individuals and governments.

More on the visit can be found on the Zenit news services site and additional updates on the Caritas work being done on the ground can be found on the Caritas site.

Though our fundraising for Haiti is for the most part over, the work of rebuilding the physical and social structures of the country will continue for years to come.

And we're off!!!

With the first Sunday of Lent behind us, the ShareLife Parish Campaign is now up and running for 2010.


Most of the parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto received their ShareLife materials last week. The remainder of the materials will be delivered in the next day or two. Given the amount of resources required to support the Haitian relief efforts, our materials are about a week behind our desired delivery time.


To the left is a sample of what you'll see in the parishes of the archdiocese for the next few months. To check out more ShareLife promotional materials, visit the resource page of our website.

We have a significant challenge ahead of us as a Catholic community in this campaign, aiming to raise $12 million so shortly after raising $3.7 million for disaster relief. We will hope, pray and work hard to promote the cause of our agencies and the incredible work they do in the community. We rely on your support, in whatever form you can provide it - time, talent and/or treasure.

My hope is that the ShareLife Community Challenge will inspire some parishioners to join us for the first time and others to reinforce their gifts - taking advantage of the matching gift program. Please, let everyone you can know about the program.

If you have any suggestions, feedback or questions, feel free to contact me.

God bless.

Haitian Relief - $3.7 million raised!

The parishes, schools and businesses of the Archdiocese of Toronto responded to the Haitian earthquake disaster with incredible generosity!

As of February 12, the deadline for gifts to qualify for the federal government's matching program, contributions to the Archdiocese had reached nearly $3.7 million!!! Thank you very much to everyone who contributed to this true demonstration of support and care for the Haitian people in their time of need. This total represents more than 25% of all funds collected across Canada by Development & Peace for the Caritas Internationalis efforts in Haiti.

On the ground, Caritas teams continue to help. "There are 322 camps spread throughout the city that face the enormous challenge of sheltering nearly all those left in the city. Sanitation is a concern, the threat of disease looms large, and the dark clouds of the rainy season will soon be rolling in from the sea," according to the D&P website. Your funds are making a practical and important difference as Port-au-Prince and the Haitian nation struggles to recover. (You can find regular updates here.)

Our thoughts and prayers continue for all the victims and for the thousands of people on the ground helping the country rebuild.

Catholic charity at work here and afar

It has been heartening to witness the generosity of our Catholic family at work since Haiti was struck by devestating earthquakes more than three weeks ago.
Our phones and inboxes have been busy with requests for more information and offers of donations. The outpouring is a clear demonstration of our desire to care for our neighbours, whether they be nearby or far away.
At last tally, the Archdiocese of Toronto had received more than $1.1 million from parish and school communities in our area. The Catholic Register reported specifically on Toronto's response this week. Check it out.
And, thank you once again for your generosity!

Smart Art! - Winning school poster chosen

The envelope, please...

...with more than 100 entries submitted to the ShareLife school poster contest by elementary school students within the Archdiocese of Toronto’s five English speaking school boards (that’s a 70% growth in participation over last year’s contest!), picking a winner was no easy task.

In the end, Andy and Glenn from St. Matthew's School in Toronto received the final nod for their awesome poster! Theirs will be the official ShareLife poster for over 450 catholic elementary schools across the Archdiocese of Toronto. Great job guys!

As well, given the tough competition, we decided to acknowledge some runners up. Check the winning poster below and go the the YouthZone website to view the runners up and learn more about ShareLife in our schools.

Thanks very much to all who submitted a poster for review for your enthusiasm and participation.

Inspiration at work in Haiti

The concern, the prayers, the fundraising and the relief efforts on the ground all continue around the Haitian earthquake disaster.
Just one example of the activity going on here at home, Robert F. Hall Secondary School in Caledon raised $17,000 for the victims of the natural disaster. An article came across my desk celebrating the generous work of the staff and students at that school. Thank you and congratuations to the school community there.
Also, for anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic Church's response on the ground, I recommend checking out the websites of our partners at Development & Peace and Caritas - they are being updated daily with sobering but inspiring reports of the work being done and the slow progress being made in Haiti.
Our prayers continue for those affected by the quakes, and those dedicated to helping the victims.

Update on Haiti...

A short update on the activities of Caritas in Haiti. Remember that our ShareLife partners at Development & Peace are the Caritas Internationalis agency in Canada - they are actively involved in funding and on-the-ground work in Haiti.

Caritas Haiti has begun to deliver almost 100 tonnes of food to Port-au-Prince this week to feed at least 50,000 people in one of the city’s biggest camps, Petionville Club. Working in a joint response to the earthquake of almost two weeks ago, the Caritas agencies have already brought food, water, medical and other supplies to more than 25,000 people. But the needs remain great, and logistics, communication and security have been serious challenges. The public has donated over US $60 million (Euro 45 million) so far to Caritas members worldwide.

Before this disaster, Haiti had very poor infrastructure. Caritas says it was not possible to have the amount of resources required to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of people overnight. But Caritas Haiti had stocks that were already pre-positioned in their warehouses, which enabled them to respond to the crisis within a short matter of hours. They were also able to bring in at least 40 truckloads so far from neighbouring Dominican Republic, and receive supplies via a severely damaged port. Almost two weeks after the devastating earthquake, people are becoming more desperate for food, but the constant flow of helicopters carrying crates over the city show that aid is getting through. (more...)

Match Point!

Many parishioners continue to call our office with questions related to the federal government's "matching program" in relation to Haitian disaster relief. (Yes, contributions to ShareLife are eligible for matching programs in the same manner as other approved organizations.)

HOWEVER, we're excited here at ShareLife about a new matching program as well!

An extremely generous donor has offered us all a challenge and an opportunity: any new or increased gift to the ShareLife Campaign in 2010 will be matched 100%! Gifts coming from new donors to the campaign will be essentially doubled. For previous donors, any increase in their contribution from last year will be matched as well.

The impact of this generous gesture could be incredible for the ShareLife campaign. More importantly, it could be incredible for the thousands of people who receive support from ShareLife agencies.

Spread the word far and wide!!! Let everyone know - we're certainly going to do the same here!!!

A little bit of business...

While we continue to focus a great deal of our resources on the humanitarian relief efforts for Haiti, a short note today on another ShareLife activity:
Check out today's Page 10 of the Globe and Mail, Ontario edition . You'll find a quarter-page ad from ShareLife (space graciously donated by The Globe) thanking the donors to our 2009 Corporate Campaign. Our agencies are an integral part of the community and it's great to see the placement reflecting that fact, square in the middle of the Toronto city section.
In other corporate campaign news, our annual golf tournament is on the move, with a new date, a new course and a new sponsor. CIBC will be our presenting sponsor for the 15th annual ShareLife Corporate Gold Tournament. We are grateful for their sponsorship and look forward to bringing the tournament to a new level with their support. We have secured Monday, June 7, 2010 as the date for this year’s event. Make sure to mark your calendars. And, after three successful events at Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility, we’ve made the strategic move to Lionhead Golf & Country Club in Brampton - a high-profile tournament course central to all parts of the GTA.
While our prayers and efforts continue for the people of Haiti, we try to maintain our focus on support our Catholic social service agencies here at home.

Haiti relief update

As the world reacts to the ongoing disaster in Haiti, please know that relief donations to the ShareLife office are making a difference on the ground.

Our partners at Development and Peace have two staff members on the ground in Haiti, assisting the Caritas Internationalis team there. (CCODP is the Caritas representative agency in Canada.) You can follow their activities as they coordinate the distribution of food water and supplies to the residents of Port-au-Prince. "Caritas organisations have sent 200,000 blankets, 15,000 tents, water cans and purification tablets, as well as food water and hygiene kits. Twenty trucks of aid arrived in Port-au-Prince on Sunday."

Please remember that there is a special second collection happening in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto this weekend. Also, a prayer of the faithful will be read in solidarity with the people of Haiti. (more...)

To date, more than $115,000 has been donated through our website alone. Thank you for your generosity as we collectively extend a hand to our Haitian neighbours in need.

mea culpa + Haitian relief update

Well, I would like to apologize to everyone who checks in on this blog. I've been woefully behind in updating. Please forgive me and give me a chance to redeem myself.

Haitian relief efforts have been underway since Wednesday morning, as you can imagine. A prayer for the victims was read throughout the diocese last weekend and will be again this weekend. Most significantly, there will be an unprecedented second collection for Haitian relief in all parishes across the diocese this coming weekend.

Working through the Catholic Church’s official international relief network, Caritas Internationalis, the funds we receive are being channelled to Caritas Haiti, which runs 200 medical clinics in the country. ShareLife does not apply any administrative fees to humanitarian relief contributions, ensuring as much money as possible is directed toward assistance of those in crisis. Donations will help provide food, shelter, clean water, and medical and cooking supplies for those affected by the earthquake. Catholic partners will be present in both the short and long term, assisting with the rebuilding efforts that will continue for months and years to come.

I'll be in touch every day this week, to catch up on all that is on the go.

Happy New Year

Just a short note to wish you and you're loved ones a safe and joyful New Year. May we find greater generosity in our society and less need for it. Remember, when foodbanks began, they were intended as a temporary measure...