Helping families in Durham & York Childrens Aid

Hi, my name is Abdulkarim and my journey to help others started when I was in high school. My friends in high school wanted to break the longest ball hockey game. Over the winter break they played ball hockey and raised funds for a charity. I was intrigued and I wanted to do something to make a difference.

My first fundraiser was a 10 hour softball game where we raised funds to Hospital for Sick Kids to fund a prosthesis . We raised approximately $2,000. I presented the funds to the president of Sick Kids. This event game a warm feeling in my stomach. I knew I had to do more.

We have held several 10 hour softball games to raise money for various charities.

When I started to work, I started a Holiday Wish Program where we would collaborate with several charities to fund their program. We held a 10 hour softball game where we raised $10,000 for Salvation Army. I approached a Canadian Tire store and we had 10 shoppers each with $1,000 to spend. My shoppers had a great time.

In 2001, I was very fortunate to adopt a baby girl from Pakistan. The timing was not the best as this happened during the 911 time. I didn't care and we were travelling in September 2001 to pick up my baby. It was a stressful for my family and I knew I was being protected by big guy.

Two years later, we were very fortunate to adopt a baby girl from Durham CAS. Ever since then, my focus of fundraising has changed to give back to Durham CAS and York CAS. My colleagues from work and friends have been adopting families during holiday season to give them happy cheer.

As the same time, I started to bless seniors as my heart goes out to them. I would go early to Walmart (as most seniors shop early to avoid crowds). I would select a senior randomly and offer to pay for their grocery. I had done similar blessing at the fruit and vegetable stand at the Oshawa Flee Market. All I ask them is to PAY IT FORWARD when they can.

At restaurants if I would see seniors (husband and wife) having a meal or a single mom with kid(s) having a meal I would get the waiter to give me their bill and I would pay for it. I would tell waiter not to mention who it was as I don't want to get recognized. I wanted that family to know people care.

Recently, I started to do small things at various stores to purchase bags, purchase food, buying coffee for random people just trying to give them cheer. The clerk would hand them out. It would make people's day. In general who does not like to receive free stuff.

So why am I reaching out to you all. Well with me reaching out to my work friends and family my Holiday Wish Program has raised over $650,000 over 28 years. This is truly amazing. With me networking at work to find the great Champions, this what makes our program so successful. Our Holiday Wish Program provides a complete package to the families as they get gifts for the kids (things they ask for), grocery voucher, a nominal gift for the parents and a dinner at Swiss Chalet. The families provide us with a wish list. When we have extra funds left over, we would fund special families who can really use our help. One family comes to my mind as they lived in the basement apartment with very little things. There was a mom and dad, twin boys, a girl and a baby on the way. They slept on a mattress on the floor. We got them a beds , dinning table, crib, TV, bunk beds, couch, appliances and lots more . The family was very grateful. I got this awesome letter from the little girl. She said now I am not EMBARRASED to have my friends over. That was a touching letter.

My goal is to raise $25,000 every year to fund special families in the Durham and York CAS that can use our help for the end of the year. I am hoping my new friends in the GTA can make a difference.

Every little bit helps!

Think of the smiles you will get! TRULY PRICELESS!

Updates will be provided to all the donors for the campaign year!

Thanks in advance (TIA)

Abdulkarim