Charities

[Lindsey]

Here in my province, we have a program called Telemiracle put on by a foundation which raises money for people with disabilities who can't afford the care and equipment or anything they need to get through every day life. Telemiracle happens the first weekend of March every year (this was its 32nd year). My roommate and I grew up watching Telemiracle. We would camp out in front of the tv all night long to watch, and read the names of people pledging money across the bottom of the screen to see how many of them we knew, and pledge some money ourselves just to see our names! It's totally a Saskatchewan past time to watch this telethon! It's full of great local talent, and national celebrities, and anyone willing to support the cause. It has turned into a huge ordeal, and every year it switches between the two large cities here, Saskatoon and Regina. Well, we both now live in Saskatoon and thought since it's here this year, wouldn't it be awesome to go see it LIVE? So we did that today, and it was definitely a good experience! There were a couple little kids (5 and 6 years old) who came with their parents onstage and said they threw birthday parties but instead of gifts, asked their friends to donate money. They each raised over $300! There was one woman who passed away last year who left $150,000 in her will to Telemiracle. The amount of money people and businesses raise for this cause is unbelievable. Last fall our province hit a population of 1 million people. In the last 24 hours, between these one million people, $3,648,310 was raised! It's just amazing to me.
Last year I did a motorcycle ride as a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis. I think over 100 bikes came out for it, and between the two rides (one in saskatoon, one in regina) over $12,000 was raised.
This spring my roommate and I are making a team for Relay for Life to raise money for cancer research.
I never used to be involved in charities at all, but they just seem so fulfilling to me now. Who else here is involved in charities and what kind of stuff do you do?

[CoyoteQueen]

That is exciting! and I think your a wonderful person. In fact Canadians might be better than Americans! Here they have the St Judes fundraiser and I just change the station!
Last year I helped my client who is Mentally Challenged raise money for the Walk and Roll athon. It is an orginization for the Retarded and handicapped. He raised 30.00 which was pretty good for him!


For myself I do give money randomly to the homeless, but I dont typically support any organizations. Your an inspiration. I'll try to do better!

[Janet]

I do donate money also, I really need to be more involved. You're a great role model Lindsey!

[Tink]

I haven't done much for quite some time. Shame on me!
In the past I served one year as county chairperson for the American Cancer society which meant I had to recruit and organize people in the different areas to do fundraising. I was also active with my oldest dd one year with the American Heart Association... she had heart surgery when she was 4, so was like the local "poster child" for the year.

I'm really just not much of a "joiner" so usually just give money.

[Marilyn]

We give to church and charities, but are not actively involved with any of them. We have enought on our plates right now. You are doing a really good thing, Lindsey!!

[DianaB]

We give a little bit to charities but we give most of our donations through the church. We gave money to Katrina and the tsunami though our church. I know that my money is handled well and as much as possible is sent to what I donated it to, sometimes 100% goes.

I have made jelly and rolls to be auctioned off for Relay for Life. The whole community gets involved in Relay for Life.

[pearl]

i do some charity things from time to time; i've worked in Food Bank of the Rockies; this friday going to serve supper in The Denver Rescue Mission~ a homeless shelter; going to do a meal for a battered women's shelter in the near future...have donated to UMCOR, an organization in the church denomination i belong to.
and....i did a medical mission to Peru on the Amazon last summer through my work. that was very much not like work, did much more for me that i gave out.

i like charity work. it helps the world go 'round.

[judy]

Lindsey, that is so wonderful. I really respect you for getting involved in working for others.

Like Coyote Queen, I have a few homeless people I give to, but I prefer not to donate to charities. I'm not sure where the money really goes. I also felt, when I was teaching, that I gave of myself a lot. Many of our kids had such issues and really needed to be loved and cared about, listened to, respected, and sometimes intervention was needed.

It made me feel so good to do for them. I miss that now that I'm retired, and should volunteer somewhere. Maybe when I move I will.

Congrats Lindsey!