Day 60, Lingering thoughts…

Exciting Update: We have just past $4000 and we have more donations coming in. We are getting so close to our target folks, lets give this one last push and see if we can go all the way:). There is still time to spread the word. Lets give it a try. 

As hard as it is to say,…This is it, our last official blog.  We would like to thank everyone for having made this an unforgettable experience. Our service providers, donors, volunteers, sponsors, Quaff Cafe who was so amazingly cooperative with us regarding the auction event, everyone who attended the auction, and everyone else who encouraged us with their enthusiastic comments and helped us get the word out on what we were about.  It has been a unique and rewarding journey and to help commemorate that, we have been asking everyone to share with us their most memorable TW4H moments. We will keep updating this blog as we receive all your answers, so be sure to let us know about your favourite moments if you have not already done.

Elliot:

My most touching moment is ever time I want to give up, I receive another email praising our good work or a new service provider on board. We are very blessed with all the people we met along the way.

Thank you for every single person who has helped us.

AGO, Mark Savel, Ryan Shorts, all our service providers, Karen Au, my core team, Katherine, Kat, Kilim, Jeremy, Rox, Marisa. People showed up at the event, Carol, Quaff Cafe, Mark from Rightsleeve, and all other sponsors.

Karen:

Watching the TW4H progress has been a rewarding experience, and I’m proud to be acquainted with such a dedicated team!

 Favourite memory: meeting Elliot online and having the opportunity to learn about TW4H!

 Most interesting memory: seeing my face posted on the website next to my services offered, in contrast with all the other professional logos. It’s brought on a new perspective on personal branding!

*One act of kindness at a time…

Cheers, guys Thanks for everything!

Roxanne:

Our first blog was a defining moment. The intention to help was crystallized and took form.  

Sophie:

There were so many great parts to TW4H, but I really enjoyed being part of such a dedicated and intelligent team. What TW4H accomplished in such a short amount of time is something to be proud of. Congratulations TW4H!

Kilim:

Throughout the 60 day journey with TW4H, every single moment was precious to me. The moment I got a call from Elliot. The moment I started typing the very first blog entry. The moment I realized I was part of an amazing, inspiring and dedicated group of people who never gave up in the face of unexpected challenges. The moment of looking back at the sixty day journey and realizing that I learned, experienced and affirmed that we have the power and the tools to make a difference.

Katherine:

 I don’t know where to start.

I concurred with Elliot — we have been encouraged and blessed by the strong support from our donors, supporters, a network of amazing volunteers.  We faced various, many challenges on a weekly bases.  There were times we don’t know if we will be anywhere close to our goal. Yet, we always find help and support to solve the problems.

Personally I was so touched that so many people attended the silent auction night. The weather didn’t stop people from attending and supporting Haiti.

Most importantly, 65 days after the earthquake, people have not forgotten Haiti.  Please continue to support and help rebuild Haiti

The results are in…the TW4H + Silent Auction raised $1,656, making the grant total of TW4H raised to date to $3,400. Thanks again to our volunteers, artists and donors!

This will be the FINAL WEEK to contribute towards TW4H’s fundraising campaign for Haiti – the last day of the TW4H campaign is March 18. We’re still short of our goal of $5000, and time is running out! Tell your friends, colleagues, and neighbours about TW4H, the services that we offer, and ask them what WE can do for THEM in exchange for a donation.

Can we make this final push for the people of Haiti? We think so. And we need to do so. As UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said during his visit to Haiti today, we’ve only reached 49% of the $1.4 billion needed for Haiti to rebuild, develop its long term plan, and establish its future economy.

Thanks to everyone who came out for not letting the rain stop the TW4H + Silent Auction from being the great evening that it was! Quaff Cafe was transformed into a bustling gallery for 30 pieces of artwork, including the non-tangible art of our fantastic musicians of the evening, Soul Nidus and Jake Courtney. One section of Quaff Cafe showcased the services provided by TW4H’s hardworking volunteers, who were on hand to introduce themselves and their talents. We had close to 100 people attend the event…who knew so many people could fit in that cosy space!

From TW4H

From TW4H

From TW4H

From TW4H

We’d like to thank everyone for coming out to the Silent Auction and making it such a fun night. In particular, we’d like to thank the artists who donated their art for the auction: GPHT, Hae, Nuwan, Gorilla Arts, Elliot and Kilim, and to our volunteers for providing their service packages: Larissa, Yolanda, Mike, Rick, Jana, Ali, Jeremy, Francois, Kat, Tomoe, Kim, Jennifer, Sophie, Ryan, and Karen.

Thanks to Cafe Quaff for being a wonderful host, to the AGO and Autoshare for providing auction items, and to DeSerres, Rightsleeve, Woolfitt for providing the door prizes.

In total, the Silent Auction raised $1,656.22, making the grant total of TW4H raised to date to $3,400. Thank you, donors!

More pictures of the event:

It happened! Success! Details and pictures tomorrow.

Today is our one month anniversary. Thanks everyone for having made our first month a very positive experience. I look very much forward at seeing everyone at our meeting tomorrow where we will be going over the plan for next month. Hope to see you all there.

Stephen Harper has concluded his visit to Haiti after spending some time with various Canadian aid workers and taking some time to highlight how the government’s spending on aircrafts have proven very helpful delivering aid to Haiti. While the Prime Minister did not hold a conference to mention any future projects regarding Haiti, the Globe and Mail article highlights various efforts Canadians are already involved in, including medical care, which are very promising.
According to experts interviewed by Reuters, rebuilding Haiti is going to be one of the most-if not the most- costly investment in rebuilding efforts after a natural disaster in our time. The good news is, investment is being made to improve infrastructure and to build structures that are more resistant to hurricanes and earthquakes. In view of such estimates, many people lose faith and wonder weather or not rebuilding Haiti is going to be even possible. I think it falls on us to do our share in convincing everyone to cast away their doubts.

Elliot is feeling great about our outlook for next month after watching a little hockey today. An 8-0 opening game is quite inspiring. With the spirit of Olympic Games to thrive on, I look forward to TW4H beating this score –or rather its equivalent in helping Haiti- during the coming weeks. Let’s pull together and convince everyone that it is POSSIBLE.

Here’s a recap of what’s happened in the last week on the TW4H front:

• Elliot worked for Haiti today by taking pictures for our service providers Yolanda and Mike! Look for their bios here.

• We’re planning an auction event for artwork and services donated by our volunteers and local artists. We’re discussing time, date, and venue, and we’re asking for all hands on deck for ideas and suggestions.

• Autoshare’s e-newsletter did a feature on TW4H, and we’re very glad to connect with that community. It’s also inspired us to look into other e-newsletter publications that might be interested in carrying a blurb about us. Please let us know if you write for/publish/receive any e-newsletters that we could contact.

• Our second volunteer meeting will be sometime in the next Wednesday, so get ready for another brainstorming session!

• We’d also like to welcome our new volunteer Juliana! Thanks, Juliana, for helping us promote TW4H.

Yesterday, ceremonies were held in Haiti to mark one-month’s passing since the January 12 earthquake. How quickly life can change in such a short time. Let’s think of ways we can help those who need the most, and have the least. Have a good weekend, everyone.

How was your day team? Felt TGIF every second at the office? Wondered where the time went after realizing coming Monday is the start of a new month? Well, we hope today had brought you a chance to soak up the most brilliant sunlight shining through the gusty wind. We hope today helped you dream summer while waiting for a streetcar in a -500 degree weather.

Great news to start the weekend. Mark has sold a condo and we’re adding $367 to our donations to date! Excellent work, Mark! You are an inspiration to all of us. We have a feeling more good news are on the way, so stay tuned.

Late this evening, we have just signed up with an accountant. Details to come.

On the HQ front, Kat did a beautiful job re-organizing the volunteer database. Thanks Kat! We are now in a better position to plan the meet and greet next week as well as to take stock of where we are and where to move forward. We can tell you that there are quite a bit of structural improvements, adjustments and changes going on behind the scenes. Things will unfold gradually, so again, stay tuned!

It is being reported that humanitarian workers on the ground in Haiti are facing a shortage of basic supplies and medicine like painkillers and anaesthetics. There are lots of events happening around town raising money to help the people in Haiti. We encourage you to keep this issue alive over the weekend as well. Have a good one guys!