Laughter: The best medicine
February 16, 2004
By Cam Tait
EDMONTON, AB // Comedians are known for cutting down hecklers, being
quick-thinkers, and for coming up with something knee-slapping funny
on any occasion, anywhere.
Throughout comedy clubs and theatres, Andrew Grosse has done just that.
But last year, almost one year to the day, Andrew was called back onto
the stage and was speechless. He wanted to cry. It was the closing of
a comedy benefit called "Laughing For Cancer", a project Andrew orchestrated
himself. The evening raised $30,000 for the Cross Cancer Institute.
"I wanted to cry with the guilt that I felt because it seemed only I
realized that it is the work of many and not one that accomplished that
result," Andrew recalls. "I didn't feel worthy of the praise because
helping your community is the reward in and of itself and I didn't do
it alone."
It all began in August of 2002. Following the passing of Andrew's father-in-law,
Gary McIlvride - who was taken by cancer - Andrew decided to organize
a benefit show. "When Gary was losing his battle to cancer I spoke with
him about the disease and he told me that he had lived a full life with
no regrets. But the children who were at the Cross Cancer Institute
being treated with life-threatening cancer was the most unfair thing
he could have ever imagined. I wanted to raise money for The Cross in
his name. I wanted to help him make a difference in their lives."
Having experience in live auctions was also a plus for Andrew. He worked
to assemble a core of caring volunteers and their efforts were impressive:
$13,500 was raised in four weeks of organizing.
The seed was planted. The next year Andrew and his committee started
asking for auction items and then put them together in packages to be
auctioned off. This year a comedy CD called "Laughing For Cancer" was
added as an auction item. On it is a song called "Comics Against Cancer"
sung by all the organizers.
Through his experience Andrew has seen the kindness of strangers. "Brad
Ward, a stranger to me at the time, contacted me and asked if he could
donate a signed Edmonton Oiler Ryan Smith hockey stick that later raised
$2,000 in the auction. I realize now that the generosity of strangers
is a powerful and moving moment."
Andrew has seen how many people are willing to volunteer and help with
a good cause, but they need to be made aware of how to do that. "I have
also seen that the more successful an event is, the more help you are
offered. So the real work is in organizing first."
Being focused and motivated are two things Andrew says are key in helping
the community. "I think also that if you have the ability to help your
community you must act and you must challenge yourself to rise up to
the challenges and that teamwork defeats all obstacles."
Volunteers should offer what they can afford to give, and no more. "I
would rather a volunteer say he was unable to help than be promised
help that doesn't come through. Having said that, I can tell you in
a life that has been filled with many successes, the most rewarding
success is that which is done on behalf of others. Volunteer work is
extremely rewarding and very exciting."
Andrew says that asking for a small amount of help from a friend often
leads to a lot of help once they realize how much fun it can be. And,
by doing that, the excitement builds.
The third benefit took place Sunday night at Yuk Yuk's in Edmonton.
"Honestly, I am so surprised by what we raise each year that I can't
wait to see if we can beat it next year," says Andrew. "I also like
the feeling it gives me to do something completely unselfish. It is
more work each year than I anticipated as we grow larger, but at that
moment in time when I see what we as a community can do if we all get
together, I forget the work and feel such overwhelming pride in my city."
Do you know of someone who deserves to be in Charity Village's Spotlight?
Send us their name, telephone number and details about their community involvement
to cam@charityvillage.com.
