5 Dollar Friday

The Alberta Government is matching donations to specific COVID-19 fundraising campaigns between April 15 and May 31. https://www.alberta.ca/charitable-donation-matching-program

Today is International Women's Day, a great day to donate to a charity that help women. These include a local emergency women's shelter, a drop-in centre, Big Brother Big Sister, single parent support groups, and so many others. What is your favourite charity that supports women?

We need to be talking about mental health more during this pandemic. If you need immediate help, call 911 or your local distress centre.

Today is International Womens Day, a great day to donate to a charity that help women. These include a local emergency womens shelter, a drop-in centre, Big Brother Big Sister, single parent support groups, and so many others. What is your favourite charity that supports women?

Most people have seen a GoFundMe or similar fundraiser. Each year, I raise funds to send some people to www.transformationweekend.ca for a life changing experience and 100% of the funds go directly to fund attendees. We have sent 10 people over the past 2 years and would like to send more this January. We will accept any donation, but if you donate $20 or more, you get to nominate someone and then cast a vote on who gets to attend. This is the follow up from one of last years... recipients: "2018 was a year of struggle. I had forgotten my purpose, my self worth, and I felt like I was spiralling out of control. I was lost. I had seen an advertisement on social media for a "Transformation Weekend". I wanted this, needed this, but I did have the funds to attend." Her husband, knowing that this could be just what she needed, inquired further. He took the chance and donated to the fund and sent in her story, from his perspective and you people selected her. "I had NO idea just how impactful the weekend would be. It was one of the hardest, soul searching, exciting and exhilarating thing I have been able to be part of it! It was the most supportive, safest, uplifting and inspiring environment! It would be such a gift for anyone to be able to attend!" Can you help us out and make a donation to send more people in January?

What are you doing to make a difference? Here are some daily ideas for this month.

Today is #GivingTuesday and even $5 makes a difference. Between December 1 - 15, all donations made to Brown Bagging for Calgarys Kids will be matched by Qualico and an Anonymous Donor up to $100,000!!! www.bb4ck.org

Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday and you can win $5000 for your favourite charity if you commit to donate, fundraise, volunteer or spread the word. Enter today and then take action tomorrow! https://www.canadahelps.org/en/givingtuesday-pledge/

The snow reminds me that I am overdue gathering friends and handing out $5 gift cards to those that need them. Who is in?The snow reminds me that I am overdue gathering friends and handing out $5 gift cards to those that need them. Who is in?

Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids feeds 4000 Calgary kids every school day. Follow the instructions here and they will get $10 and it costs you nothing. rebrand.ly/djqkec

Brown Bagging for Calgarys Kids feeds 4000 Calgary kids every school day. Follow the instructions here and they will get $10 and it costs you nothing. rebrand.ly/djqkec

Kids Up Front needs a few more local celebs to join us at #AllInForKidsYYC on Feb 28! If you have any suggestions or connections, please let me know! Thank you! [email protected]

When I created the 5 Dollar Friday movement, it was frustration that our conversations were about $7 Starbucks coffee and the cups they came in. Over the past 3 years, I have shared a variety of stories, generally charity based, seeking your support of #microdonations to make a difference. Today I am sharing the personal story of a friend and her attempt to make a difference for one family. I do not share personal stories very often, but I liked this one. Even a few dollars w...ill make a difference. "A dear friend of mine, close like a sister needs some love. She is a mom that has been on an emotional roller coaster for 7 years. More so the past year. Her son has spinal muscular atrophy, SMA. He was 3 when he was diagnosed and slowly has deteriorated. Their biggest fight now is that there is a drug available but our government wont approve it. There are 43 other countries that have said yes to treat all 3 types. Canada has agreed to Type 1, which is incredible! However type 2 and 3 are being denied. Her son is a type 3. They have travel for doctor appointments, physio and rallies to educate people on the fight they are fighting. She along with many other families in Canada are not accepting no for an answer. This lady gives so much! She has lost how to self care and self love. She has never asked for help. Honestly she will be mad I have reached out. I am reaching out cause sometimes it feels good to know you have helped someone and be a part of something bigger than yourself. *SHE IS BLOCKED AND CANT SEE THIS* PLEASE if you know who I am talking about dont tell her. I want to be able to do this anonymously. She deserves a little extra love. I am asking if you are able to donate as little as $5 to help this mom pamper herself. I am hoping to purchase a massage package and maybe some gift cards for her favourite latte. Please message me or send email e transfer to [email protected]"

What could be better on #GivingTuesday than matching donations. Pick a cause close to your heart and make a donation and up to $50000 will be matched by an anonymous donor. https://good.calgaryunitedway.org//zsHim4gGdD7aw/charities

12:03 #GivingTuesday seems like a good time to start posting. You can make a difference yyc.dreamstakeflight.ca12:03 #GivingTuesday seems like a good time to start posting. You can make a difference yyc.dreamstakeflight.ca

Giving Tuesday is next week. Many charities can benefit during this holiday season so please consider giving.Giving Tuesday is next week. Many charities can benefit during this holiday season so please consider giving.

The Shaw Charity Classic is on this weekend in Calgary. The event supports 182 Alberta children's charities and will match up to 50% until September 2nd. The Calgary Public Library is one of those organizations and is trying to get 1000 supporters to show that there is support for the library. You can support it directly here https://shawcharityclassic.com/donate/cplf or select any of the other charities by clicking on the "Charity" tab.

This week, 156 amazing disadvantaged kids went to Disneyland for 1 day, that was all about them. Rides, experiences, moments, junk food and most importantly, a break from their daily challenges. Please consider supporting one or several of the agencies that support these children every day. https://yyc.dreamstakeflight.ca/children/

The Shaw Charity Classic is on this weekend in Calgary. The event supports 182 Alberta childrens charities and will match up to 50% until September 2nd. The Calgary Public Library is one of those organizations and is trying to get 1000 supporters to show that there is support for the library. You can support it directly here https://shawcharityclassic.com/donate/cplf or select any of the other charities by clicking on the "Charity" tab.

Here is a win win. Buy a Stampeders ticket and support charity.

The idea behind a #microdonation is the same as crowdsourcing funds or compounding donations. The Salvation Army has been doing it with their Kettle Campaign at Christmas for years. A Calgary charity called Kids Up Front provides the opportunity for underprivileged kids to attend ticketed events that they otherwise could not afford to see, as well as participate in other programs including camps. I have written about Kids Up Front before, but this year has proven to be very ...challenging for fundraising, and they rely on their Stranded: Water Valley event (similar to Survivor) to sustain their programs that help deserving local kids. They really need help from the community to make it a success! In an effort to support them, they are asking local influencers to make a small donation (even $5) and then challenge three others on social media to do the same. Donations over $20 receive a tax receipt. They are very appreciative of your support and will answer any questions people have. Being referred to as a local influencer, how could I not participate? So, rather than donating $5 (or more) and challenging 3 others, I will make a $50 donation and challenge TEN of you to make a $5 donation! But how do I decide which participate to support?? Find a contestant here: https://play4them.com/event/strandedwatervalley2018 More information about the event here: http://www.kidsupfrontcalgary.com/stranded-water-valley-20/

When someone as far as Chicago reaches out for #5DollarFriday help, I listen. I am so glad this idea is spreading. So today I would like to introduce you to something a little different, about a garden for 6th grade students at Adlai E Stevenson Elementary School in. Most of the student population is of Hispanic background, but there are also students with Asian, African American, Middle Eastern and Caucasian backgrounds. Their school is in a high poverty area of Chicago and ...they are trying to add plants to a student garden to attract butterflies. The students learn to take responsibility by watering, weeding, and harvesting the garden. All donations are matched for the next 7 days with the code RIPPLE which ends this WEEKEND. Ms. Cabral is using DonorsChoose.org to request things for her students. Its an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. This is what she wants for her students in this amazing project: https://www.donorschoose.org//bringing-butterflie/3259491/ If you chip in to help her classroom (or any other one on the site), youll get photos from the classroom and thank-you notes to see the impact you made. Please pass this along to anyone you know who may want to help out. PLEASE remember to put in code Ripple at checkout.

I want to share something a little different today. While I usually post about charity, ultimately, I want people to think differently, and change their mindset on the power of microdonations. I want to introduce you to my friend Jillian Lee, a filmmaker working on an amazing story called Michelles Hope, and she wants your $5 or whatever amount you can spare. You see, Michelle has battled Type 1 Diabetes for the past 12 years, and every night, she is terrified to fall aslee...p because she might not wake up. Michelle is scheduled for an operation in May which prevents Jillian from raising funds in a traditional manner because they need to have a crew in place right away. This story is important for Michelle. It is important for anyone suffering Type 1 Diabetes. I wish you could hear Jillian talk about it as I have. So if you can, check out the story at both the Facebook page and the fundrazr page below. I would really like to see this project come together. https://www.facebook.com/MichellesHopeforDiabetes/ https://fundrazr.com/MichellesHope

A very unfortunate event happened today in Northern Saskatchewan that has sent ripple effects around the world. Pretty much everyone now knows about the Humbolt Broncos bus crash. I dont often support them because of the fees, they collect, but a Go Fund Me drive has been established and I encourage you to donate if you can. https://ca.gofundme.com/funds-for-humboldt-broncos

This charity is in desperate need. Please consider a cash donation, donating gently used items, or shopping at their stores.

Have you heard of Breaking Free Foundation? I was first introduced to this non-profit at #Smbyyc67, a Social Media Breakfast event in Calgary back in August of 2015. The amazing Amber Craig and Theo Fleury spoke candidly about their personal experience, and why the foundation was created. I understand and value the importance of this foundation and what it does and I dont think I have spoken about their story. Breaking Free Foundation (BFF) is a Calgary-based non-profit tha...t helps support victims of trauma and those dealing with PTSD, mental health and addiction. Their organization provides Therapy Grants in order to give those with PTSD access to high-quality trauma specialized psychology, as well as a free monthly support meeting for those affected by trauma. Because the organization is almost entirely volunteer-run, they have little overhead. THEY ARE IN A DIRE POSITION. Funds are extremely low and as a result, they have a long waiting list for our Therapy Grant program. Many Calgarians are reaching out, in desperation with their PTSD and mental health symptoms, and BFF is left in the saddest of positions UNABLE TO HELP. Because of this, Amber has organized an emergency fundraiser to help this important organization stay afloat! Did you know Canada has the highest rate of PTSD in the world? Did you know 1 in 3 people has fallen victim to sexual trauma? Trauma comes in all forms and BFF sees it all, and they need your support. Cannot make the fundraiser? Purchase a BFF product or make a donation by clicking the orange button on the top right of their website: https://breakingfreefoundation.ca/. Unfortunately, they are not yet a charity so you are doing this for good, not for a tax receipt. I assure you that every dollar will help them do good things for good people.

I love how creative some charities are in thanking people for donations. Dreams Take Flight and Kids Up Front send a thank you card signed by one of the kids. But this brown lunchbag from Brown Bagging for Calgarys Kids is by far my favourite.

I wont usually promote a Go Fund Me campaign because of the fees that they charge. However, I think this initiative to support Feminine Cups for the Homeless is an important one and I trust the person doing it. https://www.gofundme.com/feminine-cups-for-the-homeless

Last weekend, I was honoured to receive an award at Transformation Weekend recognizing my achievements in 2017 and starting off 2018. I started 2018 by taking $5 Friday to the next level and asked people to donate $20 or whatever they could to fund some people to attend Transformation Weekend, that desperately needed a change in their life, but couldnt afford to attend. Donations poured in, and 5 awesome women attended for a life changing experience. After receiving the aw...ard and sharing my goal to keep doing it, I have now raised $340 to send people to Transformation Weekend in Victoria, Saskatoon and Winnipeg. Would you support this initiative? Do you know someone that should go? For a $20 donation, you get to nominate someone, and vote on the successful candidates. You can message me here, or through my new page, www.facebook.com/DavidAHartwick. What is Transformation Weekend? Learn more: www.transformationweekend.ca Here is the video of my speech thanks to Sean Tyler Foley in case you wished to watch it.

I won't usually promote a Go Fund Me campaign because of the fees that they charge. However, I think this initiative to support Feminine Cups for the Homeless is an important one and I trust the person doing it. https://www.gofundme.com/feminine-cups-for-the-homeless

The idea for 5 dollar Friday was born in August of 2015. But I did not know what to do with it or how to grow. In January of 2016, I shared the idea at an event called Transformation Weekend and found so much support, that I started doing weekly posts encouraging you to donate $5 to a charity of your choice, instead of another pint or another fancy coffee. To be honest, there is still work to be done, but I still believe in microdonations and the power of pocket change and $5... bills. But I also believe in changing the world in other ways. It is Transformation Weekend again in 2 weeks, and I was reminded that there are many people that could benefit from the workshop, but cannot afford it. I started a campaign to raise funds to sponsor someone to attend, $20 at a time. Within 24 hours, I raised the funds for one person to attend, and the event organizer matched it with a ticket for a second person. I decided to see if I could send a 3rd person, and I am currently short 9 donations of $20 to send a 3rd person. I am reaching out to you for support. No tax receipt, no guarantees, but you could change someones life. In return for your sponsorship, you can nominate someone to attend that could use the experience and cannot afford it. Thus far, I have had some great nominees. Those that made nominations, will vote for the winners this weekend. It is my hope to get funds for a 3rd person and that voting will happen right away. Just 9 people. Can you help out?

As you open those gifts this morning: Think of those waking up in a shelter. Think of the children in foster care. Think of the women that couldnt go home because of abuse. Think of those living on the street - it was -20 in Calgary last night. ... Think of those that had a choice of food or gifts under the tree. Think of those that havent worked in a long time but keep trying. Think of those with no one this Christmas. Think of those that are lonely. Think of those working the Crisis line. Think of those calling the crisis line. Christmas is a day of love and celebration and giving for many of us. But for so many, it is a day of challenges, sadness and emptiness. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. I know that the world is not a perfect place for all of you. If you need to talk to someone, call 403-266-HELP(4357)

People often question the logic of a $5 donation and why they should do it when they dont get a tax receipt. The whole idea behind $5 Friday is that people dont think twice about spending $5 on a coffee, or a stein of beer, so why do we think twice about donating $5 when some charities can turn that into $25 of value. Charitable initiatives such as the Salvation Army kettle campaign at Christmas and the Poppy Fund drive in November are perfect examples of successful #micro...donation initiatives. It makes me wonder if thee people never drop a few dollars in for these drives? Those campaigns are successful by taking spare change and larger donations and this is no different. Contrary to what a few will have you believe, there are still a lot of hurting people this holiday season. There are still a lot of people unemployed. There are still 3000 people experiencing homelessness in Calgary as an example. As always, I wont tell you where to donate money, because I think donations are personal and should be something of value to you, just as that cup of coffee would be. But here are a few to consider: calgarydropin.ca theseed.ca themagicofchristmas.org bb4ck.org (Brown Bagging It) Your local food bank innfromthecold.org Salvation Army Kettle Campaign Canadianlegacy.org (Veterans Food Bank) calgarydreamcentre.com WomensCentreCalgary.org KidsUpFrontCalgary.com makeitmerry.ca And so many more. This week is crunch time for many charities trying to help out for Christmas. And dont forget to throw a little kindness to everyone that you can. #BeSomeoneYYC #GiveGood #Bethechangeyouwantosee #5DollarFriday #changetheworld #Christmas #SpreadGoodYYC

People often question the logic of a $5 donation and why they should do it when they don't get a tax receipt. The whole idea behind $5 Friday is that people don't think twice about spending $5 on a coffee, or a stein of beer, so why do we think twice about donating $5 when some charities can turn that into $25 of value. Charitable initiatives such as the Salvation Army kettle campaign at Christmas and the Poppy Fund drive in November are perfect examples of successful #micro...donation initiatives. It makes me wonder if thee people never drop a few dollars in for these drives? Those campaigns are successful by taking spare change and larger donations and this is no different. Contrary to what a few will have you believe, there are still a lot of hurting people this holiday season. There are still a lot of people unemployed. There are still 3000 people experiencing homelessness in Calgary as an example. As always, I won't tell you where to donate money, because I think donations are personal and should be something of value to you, just as that cup of coffee would be. But here are a few to consider: calgarydropin.ca theseed.ca themagicofchristmas.org bb4ck.org (Brown Bagging It) Your local food bank innfromthecold.org Salvation Army Kettle Campaign Canadianlegacy.org (Veterans Food Bank) calgarydreamcentre.com WomensCentreCalgary.org KidsUpFrontCalgary.com makeitmerry.ca And so many more. This week is crunch time for many charities trying to help out for Christmas. And don't forget to throw a little kindness to everyone that you can. #BeSomeoneYYC #GiveGood #Bethechangeyouwantosee #5DollarFriday #changetheworld #Christmas #SpreadGoodYYC

Yesterday, Amanda Todd would have turned 21. We should never forget her, her story and the countless others that have experienced bullying and cyberbullying. Amanda committed suicide at 15. Her mother created the Amanda Todd Legacy Society www.amandatoddlegacy.org to help others. It may not be Friday, but consider a donation there or to the Kids Help Phone which is a resource for our kids. www.kidshelpphone.ca Also check out www.bullyingcanada.ca. I do not know much about th...is organization but it is one of many trying to stop bullying and offer help to those that need it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gycqAJcDFM

#BeSomeoneYYC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUBBXAyqoWg

You have likely heard the commercials....it's 6 inches long. It starts with a P, it ends with an S, and there is even an N in the middle. It is the pancreas, what were you thinking? In 2017, 5500 Canadians will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and 93% of them will die from it. Half of them will die within 4 months of diagnosis. There is no awareness, there is very little fundraising for it. This is one cancer where mortality rates have not changed in 40 years. You can make a difference. Just as important, get educated on the symptoms, the illness, the disease. Check out www.assumptionscanbedeadly.ca

You have likely heard the commercials....its 6 inches long. It starts with a P, it ends with an S, and there is even an N in the middle. It is the pancreas, what were you thinking? In 2017, 5500 Canadians will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and 93% of them will die from it. Half of them will die within 4 months of diagnosis. There is no awareness, there is very little fundraising for it. This is one cancer where mortality rates have not changed in 40 years. You can make a difference. Just as important, get educated on the symptoms, the illness, the disease. Check out www.assumptionscanbedeadly.ca

Today's post is a no-brainer. Tomorrow is Remembrance Day. Donate to the poppy fund, the Canadian Legacy Project or the Veterans Food Bank. Every little bit helps. A $5 beer or coffee for you, could mean a meal for a veteran. http://www.canadianlegacy.org/veterans-food-drive/

Todays post is a no-brainer. Tomorrow is Remembrance Day. Donate to the poppy fund, the Canadian Legacy Project or the Veterans Food Bank. Every little bit helps. A $5 beer or coffee for you, could mean a meal for a veteran. http://www.canadianlegacy.org/veterans-food-drive/