Posts Under Charity Category
I’m really excited about an event I’m planning with the Durham Photography Group called “Help-Portrait”. In fact, I’m so excited that I can’t contain my urge to blog about it any longer.
So, what exactly is Help-Portrait?
Help-Portrait is, in essence, a way for us photographers and volunteers alike to donate their time and give back to those less fortunate in our community by doing what we do best: making people feel beautiful, and capturing that moment on film. As photographers, we usually take photos; but this event is all about giving them. Giving them to orphans, single moms and dads, underprivileged families, the elderly, and anyone else who might not otherwise be able to have a professional portrait taken.
Help-Portrait is a worldwide event, and, on December 10th a huge number of communities will be taking part. And, thanks to a wonderful group of volunteers, I’m proud to say for the first time, Durham Region is on that list.
I’m thrilled to be involved as the group’s marketing and sponsorship lead; meaning I have the daunting task of raising the money we need to go ahead (approximately $2,000) and getting the word out to the community.
We have a solid core group of volunteers, but of course – can always use more hands.
If you’re local to the GTA, and are interested in getting involved (or you work for, or know, a company who may be interested in sponsoring us) please get in touch with me or join up with our local group.
And, for those of you who are visiting from other communities – consider checking the global list on the Help-Portrait site to see if there is an event running near you. We can always use more helping hands on these sort of events.
In the past, the portraits have strictly been given to participants – never shared online, in portfolios, or anywhere – but they’re looking at changing that this year (with photo releases, of course) and additionally allowing participants to, if they choose, become the photographer. The folk over at Help-Portrait did a mini event this past weekend, and the stories and photos shared on their blog are truly touching.
We’re still ironing out the final details of the Durham event (and which, if any, new aspects we’ll adopt in our virgin year) but so far I’m so impressed with the diverse group of people in Durham who have pulled together to make this happen: a number of photographers, a project manager, a few technical people, folk from the Salvation Army (who are graciously donating the most important thing – our space/location for this event), a graphic designer, and volunteer coordinator.
Together, we’re making this a reality and I’m so excited.
“She was told, if she folded 1,000 paper cranes the gods would grant her wish, she wished to get well, … She ended up folding 644 cranes before she died.” –Thousand Cranes by Yasunari Kawabata
I read this book when I was a little girl – I think maybe in grade two or three. I remember learning how to fold paper cranes, and we tied them to string and they dangled from the ceiling in the classroom and opened the windows – they blew in the breeze like they were flying away somewhere.
They say cranes live to be 1,000 years – and if you fold one crane for each year of their life your wish would be granted. The “she” in the story is a young girl who has leukemia after Hiroshima. She begins to fold paper cranes; and at first, she folds them to wish for life. But soon, she begins to wish for world peace and happiness after realizing everyone has hardships.
While she died before completing the cranes, her classmates and friends finished them for her.
It’s a story that sticks with you. And when I stumbled across the “1,000 Cranes for Japan” photography project, I knew I had to take part.
“I think it would be a beautiful show of support and love for Japan if flickr was flooded with paper cranes.”
There’s almost 900 photos in the group so far – so they’ll be reaching 1,000 any day now.
Other Crane Projects
Students Rebuild is collecting 100,000 paper cranes, and once they get them, they plan to weave them into an art installation. Even better, the Bezos Family Foundation has agreed to donate $2 for each crane they receive (up to a maximum of $200,000) to Architecture for Humanity’s reconstruction efforts in Japan.
The Miya Company is collecting photographs of 1,000 cranes to make a wish for continued strength, peace, and eternal hope for those in Japan. For each crane of the 1,000 they’re collecting, Miya Company will donate $5 to Save the Children for Japan’s relief and recovery.
If you want to make your own crane for one of these projects, I found a really great explanation with photos.
Me & our family dog Kodee
Back in December 2008, a fire destroyed the Humane Society of Durham Region killing more than 150 animals. 13 animals were saved by firefighters.
Sadly, the Humane Society has yet to be rebuilt – and the community’s support is needed to get a new (temporary! hopefully) home for the hundreds of cats, dogs, rabbits, and other creatures the Humane Society serves. During March Break, the Pickering Town Centre is holding “Raise the Woof!” to help fundraise for the Humane Society, and to raise awareness about what the Humane Society has to offer and the services it provides. If you’re in Durham Region – please swing by the Pickering Mall to check out the event and donate! If you’re not in the area, then you can do what I’m going to be doing and make a donation online. :)
I think, in some way or another, everyone has had their life touched by cancer – whether it’s a parent, grandparent, friend, or friend of a friend… we all know someone. My grandfather passed away from cancer when I was in grade 7 – a long time ago now (over 10 years), but I still remember everything that happened during those last few months.
I just saw (for the millionth time, but I never get sick of it) the commercial for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation’s Conquer Cancer Campaign, and I can’t get over how powerful it is.
It features real patients, doctors, nurses, and people who have been affected by cancer in some way… and tells the story of how the hospital is trying to conquer cancer in our lifetime.
I hope it can happen.
I spent a few hours this afternoon volunteering my time at the annual Lions Club & CTV Telethon. I was there from 3:30ish until about 8, and it was great fun – talking to community members, reading out pledges, and encouraging people to call in and donate. It was (as one of my fellow hosts made me realize) my first live TV experience, since the work we do at EastLink is pre taped… I didn’t even clue in to that until about halfway though!
I just tuned into the end to see how much was raised – and we raised over $67,000 today! This is thanks to everyone who graciously donated their time to help out, and to the community members who came out and donated… I even recall reading a few donations from youngsters – I’m talking 3 years and 5 years old! – who emptied out their piggy banks to contribute. Very touching.
It’s amazing what can happen when a community pulls together like this!
