JustMOMsensations

My generation didn’t grow up with much formal teaching or structure around giving back.  Oh sure, my parents, who didn’t have much, would share the abundance of their vegetable garden with neighbours who had less.  That was just my parents being especially kind, or so I thought.  I didn’t know then that service and sharing with your neighbour was a way of life for their generation.  People born in the depression and raising kids post World War II understood the true value of things. Those who had little to lose, lost nothing by sharing.   Somewhere in the 1980s and 90s, we became more about receiving, amassing and even judging those who had less.   Labels became “a thing”.   Two pairs of boots that looked exactly the same would not hold the same value socially, if one had a “prestigious label” and a bigger price tag.   When did the label on something become more important than the quality of something? When meeting new people we often a...

For many years, my family and I have served charities and community assistance – behind the scenes .  That is how we like it.  Not only because we believe true giving receives no recognition or reward, but because OUR karma requires us to be humble while serving those who might have a greater need than us.  We aren’t rich.  We aren’t excessive with loads of food or belongings going to waste if we don’t share. Like my 8-year old says; “we share because we care”. This fall a cause called #THECLOTHINGDRIVE consumed us.  Its purpose to help provide a starting wardrobe for the GTA’s share of 25,000 Syrian refugees coming to Canada this winter.  We came out from behind the scenes  because it was necessary to gather much needed support.  My motivation to throw my skills, time and presence to this cause was a deep belief it was about MUCH more than clothes.  It was just the first step of many, needed to help newcomers integrate in Cana...

I have had the most extraordinary month.  I have not worked this hard, this many hours since I was 30 years old – and yet I feel invigorated.  I was one of nearly 6,000 volunteers helping clothe Syrian refugees coming to the GTA.  While I participated as one of the drivers of the cause, I have never witnessed the level of empowerment all volunteers felt and acted on to drive this cause forward. In just four weeks, we went from zero to:   Over 30, 000 articles of clothing. Nearly 6,000 active volunteers from getting the word out, donating clothing, to sorting, cleaning, inventory and various business services – there was no ego in this giving. More than 20 media spots through TV, radio, print and internet news. All of the infrastructure required to support a cause of this magnitude. A free storefront open for business, where families can shop for their own clothing in privacy. Over 60 people with starting wardrobes, ready to integrate into their new...