Celebrating my birthday by doing charity work
As my blog has become more popular and I’ve grown my networks of friends (both online and offline), my birthday has turned out much more into an all-out party. I usually have a “Birthday Season” that begins around September 12th and ends around Sept 26th (because I’m lucky to have so many diverse groups of friends that I end up having to celebrate for 2 weeks in a row).
This year I’ve decided to make my birthday a bit more meaningful. While it’s almost sure that I’ll have smaller celebrations with groups of close friends, I want to make one big birthday bash by doing some charitable work. I have plenty of ideas, but I’m also accepting more (so that’s what this post is for, your suggestions, my dear readers).
So far I have thought of:
- Serving meals for A Loving Spoonful, Friends for Life or United Gospel Mission or a similar organization.
- Sharing some time and offering mentorship/skills training/talking to clients of institutions and non-profits associated with mental health and/or youth like Covenant House, or with women empowerment like WISH, Beauty Night, etc.
- Packaging food baskets and/or gathering food for Vancouver and Lower Mainland Food Banks.
All of the above are front-line volunteering activities (something I’m used to do since I was a child, walking around dangerous, gang-riddled neighbourhoods teaching adults how to read and write). But there’s also the other side, which I could also do (but involves way more logistics and becomes more cumbersome): organizing a fundraiser for my birthday (which involves seeking sponsors, raffle tickets, etc.)
I’ve already helped organize fundraisers and it’s A LOT of work. And my birthday is right after Freelance Camp Vancouver 2011 (which I’m helping with). So I’m not sure I would want to get into the logistics of a fundraiser. But I think it’d be super cool to do something with my friends (from the online and offline world) where we could make a difference.
SUGGESTIONS? Go all out, please. No suggestion is too crazy. PS – in case you wanted to know, my birthday is September 19th.
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Is Friends for Life here what it is in Saskatchewan? (i.e. a non-profit that provides support and education to those at-risk for suicide, and helps their friends help them?) Because if so I would certainly want to be involved, though any of the ideas you’ve mentioned sound so helpful to someone in need.
I always do like to support Amnesty International and the Red Cross/Red Crescent but that’s a little less local and less hands on perhaps.
Salvation Army always needs volunteers. It could be helping in the kitchen assisting at a thrift store, perhaps even at an event if you are looking for a one day opportunity. Something like Mercy Ride http://www.gatewaymercyride.blogspot.com/ is a one day event that might be just right for you! The best option is just to call your local Sally Ann and speak with the volunteer coordinator to see what is available in your community.
A fun thing we’ve had people do is to get a bunch of friends together and come help us sort through the thousands of pounds of doanted goods we receive each month. Volunteers sort through and determine which clothing is appropriate for our youth and they usually have a lot of fun. There is no interview required or criminal record check as there is no youth involvement but it is a “roll up your sleeves” and get practical work done kid of job. We’d love to have you!
What about volunteering for a shift at Children’s Hospital or the library — reading stories to kids?
[...] on a completely different spin. Rather than soliciting gifts, he plans on celebrating his birthday by doing charity work. That’s a fantastic attitude to have, because there are so many people, causes, and [...]
That is really generous! I am thinking of doing something similar on my bday in April
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