15 Days of Giving

Yes, there are 12 days of Christmas, but why not 15 days of giving?! Check out this list for all the simple actions you can take to help out others in need this year - you'll even find some GREAT gifts for those hard to buys on your list!

December 10th: Kick off this holiday month right by checking out Oxfam Unwrapped - the fab site that lets you buy bikes, chickens, safe water and all sorts of great things for villages in need!

December 11th: Give the gift of your wisdom! That's right, there's are loads of kidlets out there just waiting to hear all the amazing advice you have on clothes, boys, coffee, well pretty much life! Kids.now provides you with everything you need to become a fantastic mentor!

December 12th: Grab a gift card from Just Give for a friend and they can redeem it to donate to a charity of their choice.

December 13th: Bring home a furry friend. Or find a mate for a friend and head to your nearest adoption to centre to bring a little buddy home just in time for the holidays.
December 14th: Buy (Red) Products for everyone! There's cute tees, rings and candles for

your girlfriends, wicked headphones for your beau and even Penguin Classic books for that hard to buy boss - all helping to eliminate AIDS in Africa.

December 15th: Help Abused Women. Mimi + You is a fantastic handmade jewelry company that makes gorgeous and statement necklace pieces - all their proceeds from their Celebrate

Courage line goes to support abused womens' shelter.
December 16th: Find an Elegant Gift with Charity Buzz. Your cousin that loves Lady Gaga -

no problem bid on VIP tickets! Your mom that ohs and ahs over the sexy Ralph Lauren - get her a trip to meet him in person! And the best part is, all the proceeds from these extravagant gifts go

directly to charity!

December 17th: Feed a Hungry Kid in South Africa through the Lunchbox Fund - or get a gift for your family by sponsoring a child for a whole year for only $80!

December 18th: Get Your Colleagues cute office slippers from TOMS. For each pair sold, another pair is sent to a child in a developing country.

December 19th: Keep Mosquitos away. Every 30 seconds a child in Africa dies from Malaria.

Send two mosquito safety nets through World Vision in honor of pretty much anyone on your Christmas list.

December 20th: Become Worldly. With jewelry, skirts, rings, and shoes from all over the world - you can get your girlfriends, mom, or even yourself ;) a fabulous gift from Live Worldly that supports local charities in the artisans' home countries.

December 21st: Support Learning! What about getting your little cousins, nieces and nephews a cool, totally gross gift that their parents' won't hate you for! Check out Elephant Thoughts and all their great eco-friendly gifts for the science nerd in everyone!

December 22nd: Give Cuddles to kids who need it the most. Noah's Ark helps abused children through amazing pet therapy - your donation helps pays for the basics like dog food (they go through 800 pounds a year), new clothing and toys.

December 23rd: Make a Wish come true by buying a wrapped toy and delivering it

straight to the many drop offs for the Chum Christmas Wish.

December 24th: Indulge in the gorgeous handmade jewelry by the female Ugandan artisans of Beads for Life. Not only are the colors and patterns stunning, buteach purchase is helping to end poverty in Ugandan villages.

December 25th: Make this holiday the best. Take a moment today to look around you at all the amazing things life has given you. Great friends, great food, great gifts, great family (even if they're insane!) and okay, great wine. Appreciate what you have, and then vow to make things

better for others - even if it's as simple as these actions - buying a funky gift, clicking and learning more, or making a tiny donation - YOU ARE making a difference!

* A big thank you to GLAMOUR Magazine for giving me the idea for this article - if you get a chance check out this month's "31 Days Giving" Article - it's all American charities, but it's really great!

Show Us your Mo!

It would be pretty hard not to notice the thousands of men walking the streets sporting some ridiculous mustaches. If you don't already know, this month has been crowned "Movember" - a month that encourages men to grow their most outrageous, hideous and hairy mustache in support of research, funding and awareness of prostate cancer. It's a great campaign - that has been catching fire ever since it was created by a group of hard partying Australians in 2003. Last year's Canadian campaign alone raised over 7.8 million dollars for Prostate Cancer Canada - and raised awareness worldwide as male CEOs, NHL players, golfers, newscasters and movie stars alike wore their facial hair with pride.

So we know you've been growing proudly over the last few weeks and we'd love to see your MO! Send us pictures for our blog and we'll send you a free tee! Email us your pics at caitied@getinvolved.ca - or simply attached them to your comments below!

For inspiration check out some 'stache hall-of-famers:

What's Not to LOVE about Ted Talks?

Ted Talk's tagline ran continually through my head as I sat listening yesterday at Tedx Toronto - "ideas worth sharing"......which definitely are the perfect words to encompass all that Ted is about. Because that's what it is - ideas. Ideas from innovators, authors, poets, creators, buisnessmen - all coming together over a love of knowledge.

Speakers are given 20 minutes, just 20 minutes, to inspire you, challenge you and teach you...or sometimes, even turn your world upsidedown.

As I sat in a conference room at MaRS, full of people drinking cans of pop and clutching their Tim Hortons, frantically typing into their blackberries and ipads (yes, this is the universe of nerdom, but cool nerds), trying to keep in touch with the offices they have left for the day to spend at TED. I thought to myself, that this sight proves that knowledge is power. Not in the traditional sense, but that knowledge has power. It has the power to make you think for days, the power to start conversation, the power to change your views, the power to bring people together, and possibly the power to create peace.

Okay, okay, I've gotten a little hyperbolic, but if you've seen a TED talk that's stuck with you, then you know what I am talking about. If you haven't, then see one NOW, at the very least, it will give you something to talk about at your next cocktail party.

Run for the Cure - This Weekend!

It must be fall - CIBC's Run for the Cure is this Saturday, October 3rd. This annual run is the largest, single day fundraiser dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research, and education and awareness programs. Last year, 170,000 Canadians participated in the run throughout the country, raising an amazing $26.5 million for breast cancer funding, research and programs. The run is unbelievably successful, and a great show of our power to unite in the fight against cancer. So whether you want to lace up, donate, shop or volunteer there are lots of ways to help out this week!

Lace up and join the run this Saturday, there is still room for last minute entries - and don't worry if jogging is not your thing, grab a few girls and walk it!

You can make an individual one-time donation, or make a donation to someone you know participating!

Volunteer at the Run event - there's still jobs to help out at tables, and be supporters.


Or show your support by going Pink! Stores all over Canada are selling special limited edition "pink" products, with proceeds supporting the Breast Cancer Foundation:
- LUSH's Think Pink Bath bomb is only 3.95 has a fierce vanilla scent with a bite!
- Ahava's dead sea salts come in pink packaging this month, with donations made for every purchase.
- A cute pink zip-up fleece by New Balance will keep you warm during the fall months.
- A super fashionable and eco-friendly metal water bottle by Lolita.

Either way, there's lots of ways to show your pink support and be a part of this amazing moment in history, where we beat cancer in our lifetime!

Become a Hero for your charity, your community or just yourself!

Ever sold magazines, girl guide cookies, or coupon books to help raise money for the charity you love and support? Ever done it in the rain, or the snow, or the blistering cold? What if you could fundraise and raise awareness right from your computer?

Well that's exactly what actor Edward Norton decided needed to be done. He created Crowdrise, a hot new site that's already raised over $250,000 for organizations all over the world - and it was only launched in May! Crowdrise is hip, sassy and fun - and what would you expect from a site that's tagline is "if you don't give back no one will like you". Ed has even recruited some of his famous friends to join the site, so Crowdrise becomes a place where stars and volunteers alike can mingle and shmooze over the causes they love!

The best part is it's easy to raise money, give money, or even just learn about different organizations and causes. You can support Sophia Bush's and her Run for the Gulf, or you can learn all about Alzheimer's with Seth Rogen, or even give puppies a great big hug with Kristen Bell.

It's got a competitive aspect as well, so Get Involved would recommend checking out this list of organizations to support and start fundraising for them on Crowdrise, because "volunteering and raising money for charity is the most fun in the world!"

Film Possible - the Contest that's Bringing Visibility to Disability

Holland Bloorview, the Kids Rehabilitation Hospital launched a contest last week called Film Possible.

The Film Possible contest has called on all Canadians, across a spectrum of ages and abilities to create short videos (under 2 minutes) with the theme of "bringing visibility to disability". The general public votes, and then the chosen jury selects their top 3 favorite - overall 6 winners will be chosen, with the first place winner receiving $5000! The jury is composed of some well-known faces, including MuchMusic star Trevor Boris, funny-gal Nikki Payne, and Allen Braude of TIFF.

And what a great way to make the world a better and more understanging place for children with disbaialities, then showing the public that people are not defined by their disabilities. The videos are funny, heart-warming and at times extremely touching. Check them out and vote for your favorite!

Cancer is Hard, Walking Isn't.

The Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women's Cancer is a 60 km or 40 mile walk over 2 days to raise money for research, clinical enhancements and survivorship.

During one amazing weekend, September 11-12, 2010, thousands will join together to walk in the battle against all women’s cancers. It’s a massive undertaking, and that’s why your

participation is more critical than ever. The Weekend was built upon the courageous efforts of people just like you, transforming a small grassroots effort into one of Canada’s biggest difference-making endeavours for all women.

Your support will fund the critical work of Princess Margaret Hospital and their efforts to end breast and gynecologic cancers, diseases that one in seven Canadian women will be diagnosed with in her lifetime.

CP24's Wear it PINK campaign even invited viewers and supporters alike to join them down at the studios for a BBQ fundraiser last Thursday (May 27th), which raised more then $9,000! CP24 has created their own walking team for the event and are looking for more walkers! The first 40 people who sign up for our team and raise a minimum of $1,250 for the one-day walk or $2,000 for the two-day walk will get a special-edition pair of shoes from the Lace up for the Cure collection ($140 value). Fundraisers will also be eligible for a series of other prizes, and will benefit from fundraising assistance at a series of Team CP24 events. They will also be privy to our weekly training tips to help prepare for the big event. SIGN UP now!

Funding Opportunity for Small Charities

AtlasCare's Care to Share program provides local initiatives and organizations with an opportunity to receive $1,000, as well as promotion through Atlas Care's many media tools (ie website, press releases, ect).

There are many worthwhile causes doing important work. The Care to Share program includes not only the larger, better-known charities, but also the smaller local causes that can include fundraising and charity events in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, or anyplace within the AtlasCare service area. This opportunity is available every month and even volunteers can nominate the charity they work with. Winners are selected by a random draw and not based on the quality of the submission. Our donation program can make a difference for your charity. Apply today!

Amanda's Lemonade Stand

Looking for a way to spend this beautiful Sunday (May 16th) with your kids, friends or family? How about enjoying a cool glass of lemonade, munching some cookies, meeting sports celebs and supporting the Heart and Stroke Foundation all at the same time!? Head to Amanda's Lemonade Stand from 11-2pm located at 33 Post Road. There will be loads going on - appearances by Dora the Explorer, Pinball Clemons, Dan the Music Man, as well as tasty snacks and pony rides! LEARN MORE!

ALL PROCEEDS are donated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, in support of the pediatric program at Sick Kids. Not only is the event amazing, but the founder, 12 Amanda Belzowski is an amazing story herself! This year she hopes to raise a total of $200,000 for the foundation! Check out our Season 1 video on the volunteer extraordinaire herself!

Awe-inspiring Knowledge

In this age of social media and social responsibility WE have become a society hungry for knowledge! And with new advances in technology, knowledge has become easily accessible. Through Facebook you can learn through photos of your friends' trips around Europe, through Twitter you can discover fantastic world-wide organizations, and through YouTube you can watch the TED talks - amazing lectures and presentations from some of the top minds around the world.

And thanks to the center of fun and accessible knowledge, I spent my Saturday learning about the heart and the amazing system that is our body. Body Worlds is back again at the Science Center, and is definitely something everybody needs to see. In a world where technology draws us together and shortens distances between us - Body Worlds uses "the story of the heart" to prove that we really are all connected.

Body Worlds will surprise and astound you, as you suddenly find yourself exclaiming "Look how big our aorta is!" or "Look at our complex nervous system". Within this exhibit you will be surrounded by people hungry for knowledge (and I do mean surrounded, the exhibit was packed), but you are all drawn together by a common sensation of awe. Underneath skin and hair, we all look the same, we all work the same, and we are all truly beautiful.

The exhibit will no doubt inspire you. Whether you are inspired to help those suffering from poverty because you realize all human beings truly are the same and therefore deserve the same opportunities, whether you are astounded by the sheer size and complexity of our brain and declare that nothing can stop a machine that advanced from making a difference, or if it's simply the display on obesity that motivates you to get up and get out to one of our fabulous city parks. Body Worlds makes our bodies into works of art - and if art can open discussions, motivate individuals and instill emotions, then so can we.

Get your tickets and get inspired here

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women.
In 2009, an estimated 22,700 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer. On average, that is about 437 women diagnosed every week.

An estimated 5,400 women and 50 men will die from breast cancer in Canada.

One in nine (11%) Canadian women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime (this means by age 90).

But with early detection, women diagnosed with breast cancer have a 95% chance of surviving. That's right, 95%. The key to early detection is being "breast aware", and there are 5 easy steps to follow:

1. Know how your breasts normally look and feel.
2. Know what changes to look for.
3. Look and feel for changes.
4. Report any changes to a doctor.
5. Go for a free mammogram. By finding breast abnormalities in the early stages, mammograms can save lives. Women at the appropriate age can get a free mammogram through their regional breast screening program.

Check out Elizabeth Hurley's "breast aware" advice here.

Learn more at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation website.

Let's make Breast Cancer history - how you can help:

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is the leading national volunteer-based organization in Canada dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer. Through fundraising (annual Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure) special events and donations, the CBCF has raised millions of dollars for research, programs and services.

By choosing to support the Foundation, you can help invest in all their great programs that improve and save the lives of those who have been touched by breast cancer, and those at risk of developing the disease. You can donate, participate or volunteer!

In fact, supporting breast cancer research can be as easy as shopping! There's are tons of stores and companies offer special PINK edition products this month, with a large percentage of the proceeds going to breast cancer research. Products range from jewelery to clothing to Kitchen Aid supplies! Check out some of these fabulous products - treat yourself and support the cause!

Breast Cancer Foundation Shopping

The Pink Ribbon Shop

CIBC's Pink Products

Cancer Awareness Jewelery

The Breast Cancer Site

June is National ALS month

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that causes those living with the diagnosis to become progressively and irreversibly paralyzed. At this time ALS has no known cure or effective treatment and within 2-5 years, 80% of people with ALS will die.
We must come together to learn more and help fund research towards a cure. Will you help out?
Why not begin by familiarizing yourself with a little background information - the ALS Society of Canada is a terrific source of facts, figures and stories.
If you’d like to get more hands-on with your help (or “feet-on” to be more accurate!) throughout June there will be dozens of Walks for ALS scheduled across Canada, with many local walks organized in multiple Ontario communities.
For a listing of Walks for ALS check out this location and date index. ALS WALKS.
C’mon – get on your sneakers, get out and walk… Get Involved!

May 31st - The lemonade stand to end ALL lemonade stands...

Amanda is at it again! May 31st, from 11 to 2 at 10 Brian Cliff Drive (Lawrence and Leslie area) 11 and ¾ year old Amanda Belzowski will be bringing back her lemonade stand to raise even MORE money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
If you haven’t seen her Get Involved profile, check it out now – it’s the amazing story of the little girl who has already raised $102,000 dollars for Heart and Stroke! There’s all the inspiration you could ever want – why she became committed to the organization, where it all began, who supported her – and how it’s taken off to become one of the most extraordinary fund-raising events of the year.
And this year, her little brother is getting involved – 3 year old Joshie will be launching his own “Cookie Counter” to help his big sister reach their new goal of $200,000 to help Pediatric Heart and Stroke research at Sick Kids.
Check out Amanda's website for more information - There’ll be music, games, pony rides – and lots of lemonade and cookies. C’mon – everyone is going to be there… you should too!

Put on your sneakers and Walk for a Cure!

Canadians have a special connection to Cystic Fibrosis (the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians) as in 1989 it was Canadian researchers who discovered the gene responsible for CF, and since then research for a cure has continued on in leaps and bounds.

A multi-organ disease affecting primarily the lungs and the digestive system that causes severe breathing problems, in 1960 a child born with Cystic Fibrosis rarely lived beyond 4 years. Today half of all Canadians with CF are expected to live into their late-thirties and beyond. It’s a wonderful improvement – but so important to do even more!

In Ontario, the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) is encouraging us all to take part in the “Great Strides” campaign – one of CF’s biggest fundraising events of the year - this May 31^st. There are walks scheduled all over the province with the goal this year of raising 2 million dollars.

Check out Great Strides to find a walk taking place near you and all the info you’ll need to register, collect pledges and take part! Put on your sneakers, call all your friends and join in with the walk to find a cure.

Coping With Cancer With Cottage Dreams

Coping With Cancer With Cottage Dreams.
Imagine an organization that provides beautiful cottages free of charge to families battling cancer. A place to get away - to relax, to rest, to reconnect with one another - and to create beautiful family memories during a deeply challenging time. Good idea? Seana O'Neill thought so too. So she created Cottage Dreams

Seana realized that there was a wealth of opportunity that needed only generosity of spirit (though lots of it!) and organization (just a ton or so) to make Cottage Dreams a reality. Since 2003, more than 2500 people have benefited from the organization. Cottage Dreams is an idea that helps families on both sides of the equation, as giving can be every bit as heart-warming, satisfying and meaningful as receiving. For everyone involved - it's a gift.

How can you get involved? There are many ways to help!
1. You can make a cash donation to Cottage Dreams at CanadaHelps
2. Got some corporate contacts? There are many marvelous corporate sponsorship opportunities
3. Volunteer your time at one of the many fun fund raising events organized to assist the ongoing operation of Cottage dreams
4. Donate a week at your cottage

From now until September there are lots of opportunities to take part and find out more about Cottage Dreams. Check out Cottage Dreams Events for a complete listing.
If you live in the Ottawa area, Cottage Dreams will be represented at the Cottage and Backyard Show April 9-11th.

And Seana is one of our Get Involved profilees for the month of April. Look for her profile on TVO and on our "Watch" page. Her story is more than inspiring and hopeful - it's immensely helpful (and moving) too!

APRIL IS CANCER MONTH

APRIL IS CANCER MONTH!!
Their motto is: "The stuff you no longer need will help fund the cure for breast cancer". And what could be better than a yard sale to make that dream come true?

This April on TVO and getinvolved.ca we're featuring stories on cancer survivors and some of the innovative and exciting things they're doing to help others - and to help find a cure.

Like Rachael Smith who started Yard Sale for the Cure. It's an idea so effective, you have to ask yourself why no one thought of it before! Yard Sale for the Cure raises money for Breast Cancer research and treatment by holding a massive series of Yard Sales in selected neighbourhoods across Canada. In 2005, the inaugural event was held in the Toronto Beaches. It was a huge success, raised $45 000 and brought people together with a great sense of community and purpose. Now a growing number of people from across Canada are taking on this idea and Yard Sale for the Cure will be launched in markets across the country. To date Yard Sale for the Cure has raised over $450,000!!!!

The event is to be held Saturday May 30th this year - so you'll have plenty of time to prepare - and plenty of information to help you get going on Rachael's website Yard Sale For the Cure where you'll find information packages, kits and clear straightforward instructions on how to hold your own yard sale.

Yard Sale for the Cure will be widely publicized and advertised in each of the communities, so lots of people will be attracted to shop at your Yard Sale. In fact, in 2006, $3.2 million dollars of PR and over $200 thousand in free media was secured to help promote the one event. You can donate all or a portion of your proceeds to Yard Sale for the Cure and choose our national charity (The Canadian cancer Society) or a local treatment centre as the recipient of your donation. 100% of all donations are directed to the recipient charities.

Oh - and don't forget: you can also participate simply by shopping! Just look for the posters and pink balloons that will adorn all official "Yard Sales for the Cure".

March is Canadian Red Cross Month!

RED CROSS IS 100!! 2009 is a banner year for the Red Cross as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The organization which focuses on delivering humanitarian assistance and improving the lives of vulnerable people right across our country and around the world, is an enormous force for good – and good health. From blood donation to disaster relief and from teaching people about CPR, first aid, and boating and swimming safety to being the on the ground responders to disasters ranging from floods to fires to Tsunamis, the Canadian Red Cross moves in providing food, shelter, clothing, first aid, emotional support and family reunification.
Did you know all Red Cross assistance is provided free of charge? It’s made possible because of the generosity of financial donors and the volunteers who provide time and their own expertise.
So there’s loads of ways for you to get involved. Click here to find out how you can donate: Red Cross Donors
Check out this link to find out where Red Cross Swimming and Boating safety and First Aid course are taking place in your area. RED CROSS COURSES
Or how you can donate your time: Volunteer
Here's a wonderful quote from the Canadian Red Cross Volunteer Page:
“A pessimist, they say, sees a glass of water as being half empty; an optimist sees the same glass as half full. But a giving person sees a glass of water and starts looking for someone who might be thirsty.” G. Donald Gale
Makes you think, eh?

Corporate Volunteers Connect with CAMH

In November Jim Davey from CAMH talked to us about the how to post corporate volunteer requests. We had a great chat about the challenges that organizations like CAMH have in getting their message out and I told him that we hoped Get Involved could help in some way.
Jim posted a request for corporate volunteers in November-- they needed to get 10-15 volunteers out to an holiday event. James Temple saw the request to help out and he got his teammates at Direct Energy together to take part.

According Jim Davey a CAHM coordinator it was a huge success. Everyone from our GI team was touched that Jim took the time to write us a note and let us know the event was a success. It's these kind of connections that we are hoping to facilitate. A snippet from his note...

"I want to let you know how happy I am that I am able to promote CAMH and the Corporate Volunteer program on the ‘Get Involved” website. As a result of this opportunity James Temple the Manager of Corporate Responsibility for Direct Energy contacted me about one of the events that I was recruiting for. James and his 14 colleagues from Direct Energy agreed to be a part of the CAMH Client Holiday Party on December 17. .. The Direct Energy volunteers after an orientation to CAMH joined the Recreation Therapy staff in helping dish out the dinner to the patients, helped out as greeters, engaged clients in some art activities, served punch and interacted and danced with the patients and staff. Their generous donation of gift certificates provided door prizes for spot light dances. I was extremely impressed at how seamless their interactions were with the patients and staff. Their natural approach and efforts at making everyone they engaged feel comfortable. The group displayed compassion and focused on the person and not the illness. This is truly impressive for a community group who has not had any front line exposure in a mental health setting. I could not have asked for a better group to be a part of the CAMH Client Holiday party. The Discipline Chief for the Recreation Therapy program commented “It was wonderful to see these volunteers interact with the clients and work at breaking down barriers. Once again I strongly believe that the volunteers got as much out of the event as our clients and staff did.”
Again I thank you and I look forward to making more wonderful connections through this great website.

Thanks to Jim for sharing his experience and kudos to James Temple and his team at Direct Energy for GETTING INVOLVED!!!