Philanthropist donates $1 million to help Ottawa children with their homework
December 22, 2008
United Way/Centraide Ottawa announced a $1 million gift by Stephen Greenberg and his family that will support the enhancement of two Ottawa homework clubs. The announcement also marks a new kind of giving for United Way/Centraide that provides donors and funders an opportunity to become more directly involved in developing community solutions.
The multi-year gift of $1 million over ten years will be used in part to expand the after-school homework clubs in Banff Avenue and Confederation Court Community Houses. Working with the Greenberg family and local organizations, United Way/Centraide developed an enhanced homework club model that will better position 50 children each year to reach their full potential.
For more information, visit: www.unitedwayottawa.ca.
Most community foundations continuing to grant in 2009
December 22, 2008
A survey of Canada’s 165 community foundations shows the vast majority of foundations are continuing to provide financial support to local charities, in spite of the economic downturn affecting the global economy.
More than 90% of the largest community foundations in the country are continuing to grant, albeit at reduced levels because of the economic downturn, and all are formulating local action plans to help support community needs in a variety of ways. The survey was conducted by Community Foundations of Canada (CFC), the national membership association for the country’s community foundation movement.
For more information, visit: www.cfc-fcc.ca. (PDF)
Top Teen Philanthropist award announced
December 22, 2008
Jane Wu, 18, has earned the title of “Canada’s Top Teen Philanthropist” through Mackenzie Investments’ first annual national contest. Mackenzie will make a $5,000 donation on Jane’s behalf to Child and Youth Friendly Calgary (CYFC), the charity she has been supporting since she was 14 years old, and will reward Jane with $1,000 for her accomplishments. Five runners-up, from Victoria, B.C. to St. Hilaire, QC, are also being rewarded with a $500 grant to their charity of choice.
Jane’s proudest accomplishment was creating an annual conference for CYFC, entitled Beauty and Brains. Learning that many female peers still perceived certain educational programs and careers to be more suited to men, Jane created the conference to introduce young women to the full range of opportunities available to them and inspires them to pursue their dreams. She raised more than $5,000 two years in a row to create a free event, attracting over 100 women in Calgary each year.
For more information, including a full list of winners, visit: www.mackenziefinancial.com.
Successful fundraiser in Peterborough raises money for women's shelter
December 22, 2008
The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough is proud to announce that this year they
raised $21,673 for the YWCA’S Crossroads Women’s Shelter, culminating with their annual
Christmas Auction at the Parkway Centre on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008. Approximately 220 women from the business
community, including members and guests, turned out for the event. Board
members and a committed team of volunteers also assisted in making the fundraiser a
night to remember! For more information, visit: www.womensbusinessnetwork.net.
Young Canadians helping provide clean water to people in need
December 22, 2008
Featured in a recent story by the National Post, Ryan Hreljac, 17, has been working to provide clean water to people throughout the world since he was only six years old. He recently flew to Edmonton to meet with seven-year-old Finn Case, another boy who shows remarkable generosity for his age. Case is hoping to raise enough funds to build three new rainwater tanks in Uganda next year that will each hold 20,000 litres of clean water. Hreljack's organization, Ryan's Well Foundation, has supplied nearly 600,000 people with clean water since its inception. For more information, visit: www.financialpost.com.
Stanley Park unveils donor monument two years after windstorm damages the park
December 22, 2008
A monument in recognition of donors to the Stanley Park Restoration Fund was revealed recently to mark the second anniversary of the devastating windstorm that struck the Vancouver park in 2006. Prospect Point, the site of the monument, took the brunt of the devastating windstorm. Comprised of eight monolithic basalt rocks quarried near Squamish, BC, the monument evokes the geological makeup of the Point itself. The intent was to use natural materials that were native to the area. Donors raised a total of $10.8 million over the past two years, including $2 million in donations from the Government of Canada, the Government of BC and the City of Vancouver. The funds will be used to help restore the park and repair damages created by the windstorm. For more information, visit: vancouver.ca.
Edmontonians come together to help flooded charity
December 22, 2008
Edmonton residents came together with the spirit of charity when one of their local organizations suffered a massive pipe break. The Bissell Centre, an inner-city agency working with people on low incomes, had their basement flooded by the burst pipes and lost many toys and donated items that were supposed to be given out to children in need over the Christmas season. The centre has been overwhelmed with phone calls and offers of support, and not only were they able to replace all of the damaged goods, but the flood damage to the building was also less than expected. For more information, visit: www.bissellcentre.org.
Piggy bank gala raises money for mentorship program
December 22, 2008
Mary Lynn, from Big Brothers Big Sisters of York, writes:
"We were looking for a theme for our Annual Gala Dinner/Auction when nine-year-old Little Brother, Andrew, donated 32 cents to our agency. It is awesome that a boy enjoying the benefits of having a mentor in his life recognized that he could do his share in supporting the agency. The word "change" conveyed images such as coins, change in your wallet or piggy bank, all of this to make changes in our kids. From trust to confidence, from confidence to optimism, it was brilliant.
Then came the day when our piggies were discovered - it was love at first sight! We found the most beauiful piggybanks ever!
Piggies, in all colours, were quickly adopted to become our table centrepieces and collect "change" for our children. Guests to the Gala were asked to bring coins or could purchase "pig feed" (coins wrapped in burlap) for the banks and the table with the heaviest "centrepiece" at the official weigh-in won a prize. The winning table had 54 pounds of coins. In total, we collected $1800. The theme continued with Piggy Auction Paddles & a Piggy Balloon Pop.
Mayors and police officers took the banks to their offices to continue collectiing for us and one Minister of Parliament offered to take one to Ottawa to also collect for us.
In the end, our gala raised 20% more money than we had hoped and everyone had so much fun with the theme."
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters York, visit: www.bbbsy.ca.
CopShop event a success in Ottawa
December 22, 2008
A recent event in Ottawa saw 30 children, selected through various nonprofit organizations, paired with local police officers and given a $200 shopping spree to purchase Christmas presents for their families. As reported by the Ottawa Citizen, the event was funded by the owners of Billings Bridge Shopping Centre, and also gave the kids a chance to get to know some local police officers. Walter Duhme, co-coordinator of the event said, "A lot of kids are intimidated by the police - this is a good way to break that barrier." For more information, visit: www.ottawacitizen.com.
Unexpected donations allow children's charity to host Christmas party
December 22, 2008
Emily, from Ready-Set-Go, in Windsor, writes:
"I work for a very small nonprofit in downtown Windsor, Ontario. We work with at-risk and high-risk families and each year we have a holiday party for our families. Our party is often the only chance the children have to recieve a new gift during the holiday. We count on our sponsors to help with this party. During the summer months we were informed that our toy sponsor would not be able to help us out this year. With the downturn in Windsor's auto economy we doubted that the CAW would be able to help us either. We managed to put on the party without outside help but it was hard. The families were so happy, we had a volutneer dress as Santa and the children each had a picture with him. We dug very deep in our budget to find money to buy a small new gift for each child.
The day of the party, I recieved a donation from our local OSSTF ARM group. This cheque covered the cost of the food we had ordered plus a few toys we had purchased. A few days after the party we recieved a cheque from Local CAW 444, which covered some more of the toys. Both of these gifts were unexpected and were so helpful to our families. On top of the monetary donations, we also received donations of stuffed toys.
This holiday I realized just how strong Windsor is. We really do pull together during times of need."
For information about Ready-Set-Go, visit: www.ready-set-go.ca.
Through the kindness of strangers, Tollie gets a new lease on life
December 22, 2008
Tollie, a mastiff cross being cared for by the Delta Community Animal Shelter, received joint replacement surgery on November 12, after the community came together to raise $6,000 for this special dog. Tollie's new foster family has decided to adopt her, and are committed to dedicating the next four months to ensuring that Tollie gets the rehabilitation and support she will need to help her fully recover from the surgery and live a full and active life. The surgery would not have been possible without the kindness of the Delta community and their many donations to the cause. For more information, visit: www.petfinder.com.
Friendly visiting social tea draws big crowd
December 22, 2008
St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre’s Friendly Visiting Social Tea was held Saturday, November 29, 2008. Eighty-one people, made up of volunteers, caregivers, students and clients, attended the annual event that brings volunteers together with their clients for a chance to socialize and say thank you. Activities included sharing stories, student and cultural dance performances, caroling and refreshments. Friendly visiting is an essential service that offers outreach to home-bound seniors who don’t have consistent support networks. Friendly visiting coordinator, Beryl Wang, explains that friendly visiting improves the quality of life for many seniors. Wang says such services "create a sense of belonging in the community where we live and work." For more information about St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre, visit: www.splc.ca.
Sick children rendezvous with Santa Claus at 8,000 metres
December 22, 2008
A group of lucky children recently got to meet Santa Claus at an
altitude of more than 8,000 metres during a special flight organized by Air
Transat and the Children's Wish Foundation. Three exclusive flights, departing
from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, gave the children an unforgettable
experience.
The adventure began in the morning, as the children and their families
arrived at the Air Transat counter to collect their boarding passes for the
North Pole. After a most colourful celebration attended by a happy gang of
elves, the approximately 250 passengers climbed aboard an Air Transat Airbus
A310. During the 90-minute flight, Santa Claus himself appeared and, in
keeping with tradition, handed out presents to the excited youngsters.
Air Transat also took the opportunity to make a $1 million donation to the Children's Wish Foundation. For more information about the Children's Wish Foundation, visit: www.childrenswish.ca.
Activists save heritage community buildings in Halifax
December 22, 2008
Imagine Bloomfield Society formed in 2005 in response to the threatened closure and sale of the municipally-owned and operated Bloomfield Centre in north end Halifax. The three decommissioned school buildings on a four-acre site housed 58 organizations and entertained thousands of users at its peak in 2004. Tenants and users included artists, community service organizations, recreation groups, multicultural associations and much more.
In 2006, Imagine Bloomfield engaged local university students to undertake a consultation project that included visioning a renewed centre and development of a feasibility proposal. The society also engaged local and national experts to speak in public forums about the success of similar projects. The feasibility proposal was completed in 2007 and presented to the municipality for consideration.
In 2008, Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) engaged consultants to undertake a redevelopment feasibility study. In December 2008, the consultants held a public presentation outlining a recommendation that echoed Imagine Bloomfield’s proposal for redevelopment of the site to provide for sustainable retail, market and affordable housing, recreation and arts and culture spaces.
Once again, a dedicated group of community activists have saved a potentially vibrant community space from demolition and sale to the highest bidder by pushing a community-based consultation process. Instead of more highrises, we expect to see an active community hub, partially housed in heritage buildings, within the next few years.
For more information, visit: www.imaginebloomfield.ca.
