I'll level with you, I was going to donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation this week, as a co-worker's relative passed away, and a donation was suggested in lieu of flowers, but, they wouldn't recognize my postal code. So, I remembered seeing a bus ad for the the make-a-wish foundation, and thought it was a great back-up plan. Make-A-Wish Canada grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Enriching the lives of kids facing serious illnesses is a noble mission, and the organization deserves support.
The plan for the last week of the month, is to give something other than money to a cause. I have one in mind, but will have to follow through this week. Wish me luck?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Week 3 - Haiti Earthquake (through the Canadian Red Cross)
On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake hit Haiti, killing approximately 200,000 people, and leaving 1.3 million people homeless. In the following weeks and months, the Canadian Red Cross raised $199M to assist in disaster relief and reconstruction.
On the one year anniversary of the disastrous earthquake, I caught a couple news reports that emphasized the amount of reconstruction that still needs to be done. Given the Canadian Red Cross has sent me various updates on how my donation from last year was spent, and because they make the giving very easy (through Paypal), I decided to commemorate the anniversary of the earthquake with another donation.
On the one year anniversary of the disastrous earthquake, I caught a couple news reports that emphasized the amount of reconstruction that still needs to be done. Given the Canadian Red Cross has sent me various updates on how my donation from last year was spent, and because they make the giving very easy (through Paypal), I decided to commemorate the anniversary of the earthquake with another donation.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Week 2 - Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health
This week's donation was inspired by a friend that stated "If I had the money to donate, I'd give it to the Royal Ottawa Hospital". Having played in an ultimate tournament a couple years ago, that donated its proceeds to a number of local charities, it turns out we were both on the Royal Ottawa mailing list. Unlike my friend, I hadn't been reading their solicitations, which was to my detriment. I didn't realize that 1 in 5 individuals are affected by a mental illness at some point in their life. After considering this, I realized that the hospital met many of my criteria - local, registered charity, and actively working to make a difference in the Ottawa community.
With no plans for this week, we'll see what happens. There are plenty of worthy causes out there...
With no plans for this week, we'll see what happens. There are plenty of worthy causes out there...
Monday, January 3, 2011
Week 1 - Canadian Diabetes Association
My first donation was to the Canadian Diabetes Assocation. This entity helps improve the health of those affected by diabetes through education, advocacy, services, and research.
It astonished me to find out there are more than 9 million Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes (over 25% of our 34 million population). Knowing some of these individuals, and how much work goes into managing this disease, I'm thankful for the CDA, and work they do to help affected individuals. Hopefully prevention efforts are successful, and fatality rates continue to decline.
For those of you wanting more information about diabetes, the CDA website is an excellent and comprehensive starting point.
It astonished me to find out there are more than 9 million Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes (over 25% of our 34 million population). Knowing some of these individuals, and how much work goes into managing this disease, I'm thankful for the CDA, and work they do to help affected individuals. Hopefully prevention efforts are successful, and fatality rates continue to decline.
For those of you wanting more information about diabetes, the CDA website is an excellent and comprehensive starting point.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Concept
After running http://52weeksofimprovements.blogspot.com/ in 2010, I found my favourite weeks to be ones in which I made donations to charties and not-for-profits. Therefore, this year my plan is to take giving to the next level, and pick a cause to donate to each week.
To be clear, these won't be HUGE donations. Although my job allows me the financial freedom to pay my bills, and add to my savings each cheque, I'm by no means independently wealthy. My thought is that the donations will be $20 - $100, or a donation in kind (i.e. time, goods, services, etc.).
At this point in time, I don't want to limit myself to registered charities. I know of many not-for-profit organizations, foundations, and other worthwhile causes that aren't formally organized. Although most of the entities receiving donations will be local (i.e. in Ottawa), there are a number of national and international organizations whose economies of scale are impressive, and missions are near to my heart.
Lastly, although I'm planning to donate to 52 seperate entities, I will alter adjust that plan if a particular cause strikes me as deserving more than once this year. For instance, the Red Cross does an excellent job at distributing resources when and where disasters strike, and I'd definitely consider donating to them multiple times depending on events in 2011.
To summarize, there will be no hard and fast rules for the giving. Each week, I'll tell you what cause I chose, and what impressed me about that entity. If you know of causes you think should be considered, my ears are open. I also encourage you to give what you can to worthwhile causes...possibly even start your own giving project.
Let the giving begin!
To be clear, these won't be HUGE donations. Although my job allows me the financial freedom to pay my bills, and add to my savings each cheque, I'm by no means independently wealthy. My thought is that the donations will be $20 - $100, or a donation in kind (i.e. time, goods, services, etc.).
At this point in time, I don't want to limit myself to registered charities. I know of many not-for-profit organizations, foundations, and other worthwhile causes that aren't formally organized. Although most of the entities receiving donations will be local (i.e. in Ottawa), there are a number of national and international organizations whose economies of scale are impressive, and missions are near to my heart.
Lastly, although I'm planning to donate to 52 seperate entities, I will alter adjust that plan if a particular cause strikes me as deserving more than once this year. For instance, the Red Cross does an excellent job at distributing resources when and where disasters strike, and I'd definitely consider donating to them multiple times depending on events in 2011.
To summarize, there will be no hard and fast rules for the giving. Each week, I'll tell you what cause I chose, and what impressed me about that entity. If you know of causes you think should be considered, my ears are open. I also encourage you to give what you can to worthwhile causes...possibly even start your own giving project.
Let the giving begin!
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