#35: Donate $25 to a charity once a month for the year
January: Search and Rescue (SAR) Alberta. SAR is a volunteer organized and run charitable organization that coordinates on ground and inland search and rescue missions. SAR provides support for police, fire, emergency response, security, and first aid. SAR volunteers are trained to find and rescue people all over Alberta - lost campers, hikers, skiers, children, and people with Alzheimers. ($25 on 16/01/17)
February: Second Chance Animal Rescue Society. SCARS is a non-profit charity that takes in animals that are homeless/unwanted/slated for euthanasia, provides medical assessment and treatment, and helps find forever homes for those animals. In addition, all animals that are under SCARS care are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and micro-chipped while under their care. SCARS relies on money raised through memberships, sponsorships, grants, and donations. 100% of donated money goes to SCARS operations (veterinary costs and equipment, food, housing, and medical aid). There are many ways to donate to SCARS - fostering an animal, donating money, donating items from their wish list, donating your car, volunteering, donating through United Way, donating Aeroplan miles. If you donate through ATB cares, they will add 15%. There is also an app for iOS and Android called ResQwalk - all you do is download the app, find SCARS in their charities to support, and make sure the app is on when going for walks. SCARS website (scarscare.ca) has an education section that provides links to education for reporting animal abuse, what to do with lost or found pets, pet safekeeping programs for pets belonging to individuals fleeing domestic violence, pet re-homing, behavior and training for both dogs and cats, care and health information, information for disabled pets, pet safety, and animal welfare. And while SCARS is an Alberta based charity, there are many organizations like them all over the place. Also, if you are looking to adopt a dog or cat, then you can adopt from SCARS or one of the many animal shelters in your area. ($25 on 18/02/2017)
March: Basically Babies. Basically Babies is a registered charity that works to provide for the basic outfitting needs of newborn babies from families in extreme need. Families are given a complete first year’s wardrobe, including clothing, outerwear, blankets, toys, storybooks, sleepers, undershirts, footwear, and other essentials. There are a couple of ways to contribute to this charity. At the time of writing this they are in need of gently-used or new snowsuits (sizes 0-24 mo), large sun hats (sizes 12-24 mo), shoes (sizes 0-6), slippers (0-24 mo), mittens (0-24 mo), tights (0-24 mo), sleepers (0-24 mo), large undershirts (12-24 mo), toys, stuffed animals (up to 24″), baby books, receiving blankets, and towels. Or, of course, you can donate money to the charity. ($25 on 15/03/2017)
April: Pilgrims Hospice. Pilgrims Hospice is a charitable program that provides supportive and compassionate family centered care to enhance the quality and dignity of life for those diagnosed with a progressive, life-threatening illness as well as solace to those who are bereaved. The programs and services they provide support psychological, social and spiritual well-being, and physical symptoms. PHS began in 1997 and has expanded quite a bit since then. Their day program (running Mon-Wed, 9:30am-3:30pm) offers therapeutic support through socialization, music therapy, arts & crafts, and numerous recreational activities. Home cooked meals and snacks are provided at the day programs. Day programs only cost $10 to attend. They also have drop-in groups for bereavement support, professionals, and young adults. ($25 on 18/04/2017)
May: Operation Friendship Seniors Society. OFSS is a non-profit society for YEG seniors (>55 years) living in the inner city. They provide community based preventative social services, and affordable housing options. They offer drop in free meals, rec & wellness activities, bingo, games, pool, cards, and outings. Outings include sporting events, festivals, swimming, and fishing among many more. They also provide foot care, flu clinics, access to public health nurses, showers, changes of clothing, and haircuts. They have an outreach program through referrals. Through the outreach program, they can take the seniors on shopping trips or buy groceries for them if they can’t leave the house. Transportation and program costs are free. Programs include arts & crafts, darts, leather work, bowling, movies, social dances, live entertainment, pet therapy, book clubs, camping, and more. They have plenty of volunteer opportunities. You can donate money, clothing, and toiletries. You can donate an ETS ride as well. ($25 on 17/05/17)
June: Today Family Violence Help Centre. The Today Centre is a charity that provides inclusive community-wide services for those impacted by family violence. The Today Centre has provided support to many individuals in the short term support program and free education to many agency staff and health & education practitioners. The short-term support program includes assessing risk factors, safety planning, assessing immediate needs, emotional support, education on the impact of family violence, and supported referrals. The centre is a safe place for all those affected by family violence and seeking help, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and culture. Services are also provided to agencies and the general public when they require help in supporting someone who discloses family violence. Support can be provided over the phone or through educational workshops and training for groups. They try to be very safe in protecting their client. The first thing that pops up when you get to the site is a little box that says if your computer usage is being monitored, use a safer computer or call the hotline, and there is an ‘escape site’ button. They have an escape site button that’s always there and it takes you to google. And if you call and have to leave a message, they ask that you indicate if it is safe for them to return your call and they won’t leave a message unless you say it’s safe to do so. They are located in a secure office that you have to buzz in to. They provide a number of workshops, most of which are free. They do have volunteer opportunities for anyone interested. They also accept financial and item donations. They accept new or used gift cards (grocery stores, superstore, wal-mart, shoppers drug mart) and locks with keys. The gift cards are to help the centre buy urgently needed supplies, but they also pass them along to clients. They accept new personal hygiene items (feminine hygiene products, nursing breast pads, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, etc), children’s items (diapers, coloring books, socks and underwear, crayons), journals, and adult socks and underwear. ($25 on 15/06/17)
July: The Lung Association. The lung association is a non-profit charity that raises money to increase awareness of lung diseases and improve lung health to those affected. They raise money to research cures or new treatments for lung diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, and COPD. They also advocate in public policy, provide education to improve clean air, provide patient support, educate the public about lung health, act as a resource and support system for those trying to quit tobacco use, and provide resources for health care professionals. There are various ways to support the lung association. One that is more to help the public than the association itself is to help prevent lung disease - go tobacco-free, help prevent the spread of influenza by getting vaccinated and covering your sneezes and coughs with your elbow, and do your part in contributing to cleaner air (walk/bike/carpool/public transport, use hand-powered garden tools instead of gasoline or diesel-powered equipment, avoid idling your car, garden without pesticides, etc). You can become a volunteer for the association, donate your car, or donate cash. ($25 on 30/07/17)
August: Boyle McCauley Health Centre. BMHC is a community owned community health centre that serves the inner city. BMHC’s goal is to offer accessible, comprehensive, culturally sensitive primary care. They have a multi-disciplinary team. The community they serve often face the following barriers: ethnicity, poverty, homelessness, addictions, mental illness, literacy and education levels, social isolation and lack of social supports, no Alberta Health Care coverage, and recent immigration. They provide many services within the center and at off-service sites (such as the community nursing station at various shelters and halfway houses), including: a medical clinic, dental clinic, foot care clinic, mental health care, blood work lab, chiropractic clinic, acupuncture, optometry, a women’s health care clinic, a young health care clinic, Streetworks needle exchange, and others. You can volunteer your time or donate money. ($25 on 14/08/2017)
September: Easter Seals. Easter Seals Alberta is a registered charity that provides services that foster inclusion, independence, and recreation for individuals with disabilities and medical conditions. Besides direct services, they provide programs, advocacy, and public education. They fund disability solutions through financial assistance, summer camp, advocacy, and education. They have many different programs and services. Easter Seals Camp Horizon provides 5 day summer camps and respite weekends for people with disabilities and special needs, and it’s subsidized. They provide specialized equipment for people who qualify physically and financially. They give disability travel cards to ensure individuals with disabilities can apply for lower travel costs with participating companies. The Easter Seals McQueen Residence is a 24 hour personal care residence in Edmonton for people with disabilities looking to develop independent living skills. The Phyllis Davidson Easter Seals Scholarship Program offers post-secondary scholarships to students with physical disabilities. You can donate used equipment such as lifts, power wheelchairs and scooters, and other adaptive equipment that is less than 10 years old and in good working condition. They have a donate a car program. You can volunteer at their events. You can also donate online. ($25 on 15/09/2017)
October: Getting Ready for Inclusion Today (GRIT). GRIT is an Edmonton based early childhood program for children aged 2.5-5.5 years with developmental disabilities. Together with the professionals and the parents, they develop an individualized program plan to meet each child’s needs. The program will maximize the child’s development, strengthen independence, and help them become full participants in family life, community, and school. GRIT provides 3 programs. The first is an Early Childhood Education program, where they provide preschool program to children with developmental disabilities, and family support. GRIT Plus provides enhanced support to families enrolled with GRIT who access specialized services funding through FSCD. The final is ASaP, which provides selected, licensed early learning and care programs in Alberta with access to the right supports at the right time (ex: day cares, preschool). A friend of mine had enrolled her son in GRIT (he has cerebral palsy). They think it’s a wonderful program and it helped their son. October is his birthday month, so I decided to donate to GRIT because of him. ($25 on 25/10/2017)
November: WILDNorth. WILDNorth is a charitable organization that cares for contaminated, injured, and orphaned animals, as well as educate the public about the importance of wildlife. Their wildlife hospital provides immediate treatment and surgery, and short term housing. Their rehab centre provides longer term housing and care once the animals are stable. They provide care to many native and migratory birds, as well as small mammals. If you find an injured, orphaned, or contaminated bird or small mammal, phone 780-914-4118. Once treated and rehabilitated, the animals will be released back into the wild. There are many different ways to support WILDNorth. You may wish to volunteer, participate in their Migratory Bird walk/run, donate an item from their wish list, become a member and receive the added benefits (such as release invites), or donate financially. My brothers girlfriend volunteers for this organization, and they’re great. They really care and are as humane as possible. ($25 on 18/11/2017).
December: Little Warriors & Be Brave Ranch. Little Warriors is a charitable organization that works toward the awareness, prevention, and treatment of child sexual abuse. The Be Brave Ranch is a camp-style place for kids 8-12 years old and their families to receive therapy and heal from the effects of child sexual abuse. They provide a number of various therapy techniques over a one year period. The children stay at the ranch for an initial 28 days to create close relationships with a small group of peers. Then throughout the rest of the year, they stay at the ranch for 14 days x3. Ongoing clinical support is also provided to parents/guardians. It’s a fun, safe place for kids and their families to heal. There are various ways to support the Little Warriors and Be Brave Ranch. They have a “Prevent It! Workshop” that is hosted in various communities and online, you can attend the annual Little Warriors Be Brace Luncheon, share on social media to raise awareness, donate needed supplies and equipment to the ranch (ex. clothing, craft supplies, gift cards for Dollar Stores/Walmart/Michaels, non-perishable food items, night-lights, cleaning supplies, sports equipment, etc), or make a cash donation. ($25 on 18/12/2017)
