Holidays& Hellidaze Hoopla, Year #3
Donation protected
Dearest Friends, Friends of friends, Lovers and Haters,
It’s that time of year that some of us love and some of us dread.
Once again I am reaching out to everyone and anyone who can help to provide a bit of extra kindness to some of Toronto’s downtown homeless/under-housed community during this season. I am seeking/ begging for f$$unds and in-kind gifts for the holidays/ hellidaze. The people that your donations will reach are some of the most mariginalized people, who do not qualify for other charities programs. These people are truly in need and should not be forgotten or overlooked.
This season is romanticized for it’s potential for warmth and loving kindness. The community that I serve needs this now more than ever before. In all of my 18 years of working in social work, I have never witnessed as much death and loss as we have seen this year. Those who have died have been Clients, Friends, Family, Collegues and Community members. All loved, valued and missed with endless grief.
Everyone deserves to have moments of joy and celebration, especially in these harder times. I am asking for $Support to throw a proper holiday party for the clients of the Toronto Community Hep C Program (a super awesome hep c harm reduction program) from Sherbourne Health Centre, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Regent Park Community Health Centre and Queen West Community Health Centre. For many of the people who attend our program, this is their family. So like, I am thinking…just a great party, food and presents for 100+people, no big deal. Right?
I am taking on organizing this rather large task because I think that sometimes a party is the right kind of therapy when things are so freaking bleak. Everyone needs to feel valued. Extra funding in social services for holiday celebrations is non-existent.
To be clear, this fundraising initiative is not in my job description. I am asking for donations through GofundMe so I don’t have to go through any unnecessary channels or ask permission to make things happen. I just want to make it happen! I guarantee that all of the funds raised will be spent on providing food with dignity, presents, prizes and all the treats we would want to have at our parties.
We are planning to have this massive cellebration on Wednesday Dec 13th, held at South Riverdale Community Health Centre. I have confirmed Marta Kusel, Chef from Cardinal Rule & Glad Day as our volunteer community chef and the fabulous Chris Cunnane (Starboy, Bovine) to DJ this event. The food and entertainment will be a hit. I just need the funds to pull this off.
Things I need:
· Money and lots of it. I will be so grateful for any amount.
· New gift items or items that could be used as a gift. Think Re-gifting!
· 100- $5 Tim Horton Gift Cards.
· Movie Gift cards
· Grocery Gift cards
· New/ Unused Toiletries, makeup, socks, gloves etc.
· Gift bags, ribbon and gift-wrap.
In addition to pulling off this party, If it is possible, I want to put together gift bags for the clients who attend Maggies, Sex Worker Action Project. This organization does not have a lot of money and it would be a real treat for the gals who attend their program. Maybe an extra 50 presents or so….no big deal, right??
PLEASE help me make this happen! Share this far and wide! This campaign ends on Dec 1st.
Seriously, send money! Lots and LOTS Money!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
A forever grateful friend, social worker and hellidaze resister,
Amy
It’s that time of year that some of us love and some of us dread.
Once again I am reaching out to everyone and anyone who can help to provide a bit of extra kindness to some of Toronto’s downtown homeless/under-housed community during this season. I am seeking/ begging for f$$unds and in-kind gifts for the holidays/ hellidaze. The people that your donations will reach are some of the most mariginalized people, who do not qualify for other charities programs. These people are truly in need and should not be forgotten or overlooked.
This season is romanticized for it’s potential for warmth and loving kindness. The community that I serve needs this now more than ever before. In all of my 18 years of working in social work, I have never witnessed as much death and loss as we have seen this year. Those who have died have been Clients, Friends, Family, Collegues and Community members. All loved, valued and missed with endless grief.
Everyone deserves to have moments of joy and celebration, especially in these harder times. I am asking for $Support to throw a proper holiday party for the clients of the Toronto Community Hep C Program (a super awesome hep c harm reduction program) from Sherbourne Health Centre, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Regent Park Community Health Centre and Queen West Community Health Centre. For many of the people who attend our program, this is their family. So like, I am thinking…just a great party, food and presents for 100+people, no big deal. Right?
I am taking on organizing this rather large task because I think that sometimes a party is the right kind of therapy when things are so freaking bleak. Everyone needs to feel valued. Extra funding in social services for holiday celebrations is non-existent.
To be clear, this fundraising initiative is not in my job description. I am asking for donations through GofundMe so I don’t have to go through any unnecessary channels or ask permission to make things happen. I just want to make it happen! I guarantee that all of the funds raised will be spent on providing food with dignity, presents, prizes and all the treats we would want to have at our parties.
We are planning to have this massive cellebration on Wednesday Dec 13th, held at South Riverdale Community Health Centre. I have confirmed Marta Kusel, Chef from Cardinal Rule & Glad Day as our volunteer community chef and the fabulous Chris Cunnane (Starboy, Bovine) to DJ this event. The food and entertainment will be a hit. I just need the funds to pull this off.
Things I need:
· Money and lots of it. I will be so grateful for any amount.
· New gift items or items that could be used as a gift. Think Re-gifting!
· 100- $5 Tim Horton Gift Cards.
· Movie Gift cards
· Grocery Gift cards
· New/ Unused Toiletries, makeup, socks, gloves etc.
· Gift bags, ribbon and gift-wrap.
In addition to pulling off this party, If it is possible, I want to put together gift bags for the clients who attend Maggies, Sex Worker Action Project. This organization does not have a lot of money and it would be a real treat for the gals who attend their program. Maybe an extra 50 presents or so….no big deal, right??
PLEASE help me make this happen! Share this far and wide! This campaign ends on Dec 1st.
Seriously, send money! Lots and LOTS Money!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
A forever grateful friend, social worker and hellidaze resister,
Amy
Organizer
Aimée Beausoleil
Organizer
Toronto, ON
