Corey is my cat. He adopted us one night in May of 2020, which is how he got his name ~ Corey the Corona Cat. Because he seems very interested in helping around the office, I thought he should have a special job. He is officially now the CEO of the Corey Cares Project, which aims to help out some of the charities that are having a hard time during the Pandemic. Many of them do most of their fundraising through various events throughout the year, which, of course have been cancelled for the most part. So, each month in 2021, we will highlight one organization, and a few "kitten steps" to consider. Every little bit helps!
Corey would like to remind everyone that the London Food Bank also accepts pet food along with human food! Especially CAT food though. ;)
So creative & cute! And, with the price of wood lately, what a great way to build! I'll bet you could find a pile of doors at the Habitat Restore! Reduce, reuse, recycle, AND help a few families become homeowners along the way!
Unity Project for Relief of Homelessness
As a Realtor, "home" is certainly an important focus in my life. My career is based on helping people find that special place, that sanctuary where you feel safe, where you can just be. With Covid in play, HOME has become the absolute center of our world.
What would your life be without one?
Unity Project has a mission to provide emergency shelter, supportive housing, and "in the moment" stability for those in crisis. They do whatever it takes to help. While they do receive funding for 60% of their operating budget from the City of London, they supply the other 40% through various fundraising events, charitable gifts, and grants.
As you might imagine, their call to duty has been significantly increased over this past year, and, their major fundraising events have either become virtual, or been cancelled altogether.
To comply with Covid protocols, their existing facility will only allow 10-12 residents at any given time. Last year, they were able to move to a hotel, where they are now helping roughly 50 people! While they did have increased government support, that support is not promised past June of this year.
If you'd like to help out, here are a few "kitten steps" to inspire you:
*Sign up for the virtual arty-party fundraiser, UPwithART! This is a fantastic online art auction and will run from April 18-24th this year. Check it out at www.upwithart.ca.
*Head over to www.unityproject.ca to learn more about this organization, and/or to donate directly. At this time, they are only able to accept cash donations, and, every little bit helps!
*Write to your elected officials to let them know your thoughts on what could/should be done to help the homelessness situation. There is a sample letter provided on the website to help with wording.
As a Realtor, "home" is certainly an important focus in my life. My career is based on helping people find that special place, that sanctuary where you feel safe, where you can just be. With Covid in play, HOME has become the absolute center of our world.
What would your life be without one?
Unity Project has a mission to provide emergency shelter, supportive housing, and "in the moment" stability for those in crisis. They do whatever it takes to help. While they do receive funding for 60% of their operating budget from the City of London, they supply the other 40% through various fundraising events, charitable gifts, and grants.
As you might imagine, their call to duty has been significantly increased over this past year, and, their major fundraising events have either become virtual, or been cancelled altogether.
To comply with Covid protocols, their existing facility will only allow 10-12 residents at any given time. Last year, they were able to move to a hotel, where they are now helping roughly 50 people! While they did have increased government support, that support is not promised past June of this year.
If you'd like to help out, here are a few "kitten steps" to inspire you:
*Sign up for the virtual arty-party fundraiser, UPwithART! This is a fantastic online art auction and will run from April 18-24th this year. Check it out at www.upwithart.ca.
*Head over to www.unityproject.ca to learn more about this organization, and/or to donate directly. At this time, they are only able to accept cash donations, and, every little bit helps!
*Write to your elected officials to let them know your thoughts on what could/should be done to help the homelessness situation. There is a sample letter provided on the website to help with wording.
Animalert
Animalert is a local (to London) volunteer run charity, that places between 200-250 cats and dogs into responsible and loving homes each year since 1977. They operate a network of wonderful foster homes, so, the beautiful thing is, when adopting a pet from this organization, there is a very good medical and behavioural history available, something you don't always get as a new pet parent!
Even though Covid has crippled their major fundraising events, they still have significant costs to provide vet care, food and housing for the pets being fostered in their network.
And, we can help with a few "kitten steps"!
This organization is also involved with "No Empty Bowls" pet food bank, and the "Safe Pets Program" for pets in danger due to a family situation. More info & links on all of their supportive projects can be found on the website. Please check it out!
Animalert is a local (to London) volunteer run charity, that places between 200-250 cats and dogs into responsible and loving homes each year since 1977. They operate a network of wonderful foster homes, so, the beautiful thing is, when adopting a pet from this organization, there is a very good medical and behavioural history available, something you don't always get as a new pet parent!
Even though Covid has crippled their major fundraising events, they still have significant costs to provide vet care, food and housing for the pets being fostered in their network.
And, we can help with a few "kitten steps"!
- Do some shopping online at "Animalert's Online Garage Sale" on Facebook, and, while you're at it, give their main page a Like too!
- Save up and donate all your aluminum (only) cans and all booze containers! You can locate a drop off location, or arrange for pick up by calling Judy or Sylvia at 519-451-6268. This has become a very important source of income over the past year.
- Donate directly through the website at animalert.ca. Every little bit helps, and the really cool thing is, you can choose to sponsor a pet. Just check out the photos and stories on the adoption pages, and let them know which cutie you'd like to help.
- Animalert is always on the lookout for great foster homes to add to their network, and, of course, always in need of adoptive parents. Application forms are available on the website.
This organization is also involved with "No Empty Bowls" pet food bank, and the "Safe Pets Program" for pets in danger due to a family situation. More info & links on all of their supportive projects can be found on the website. Please check it out!
Goodwill Industries
I first became aware of the scope of Goodwill Industries way back when I worked for Social Services in the 80’s. I remember a super stylish executive talking to a group of us, and was completely shocked to learn that the core of this woman’s beautiful wardrobe was made up of thrift shop items.
Which really isn’t the point at all, although, it’s a good one.
Goodwill has a mission to provide work opportunities, skills development, and support to help folks with employment barriers advance toward self sufficiency. Revenues from the sale of merchandise in their Community Stores is the main source of funding for an amazing organization of various industries, and employment programs. I encourage you to give their website a look ~ www.goodwillindustries.ca ~ I think you’ll be WOWED by the sheer scope of what they do here!
As I write this, Ontario is in lockdown, and the Community Stores are understandably closed. Roughly 800 of their 1050 employees are on temporary leave. As you can imagine, the impact on their mission, and their people, is severe.
Corey and I would like to suggest a few “kitten steps” you might consider to help out.
Now ~
• Spread the word to your family & friends about what Goodwill is all about!
• Make a cash donation online.
• Check out their shop online. At this time, they offer curbside pick up at the Hyde Park location only, but please follow their website for updates and expanded service.
• Use your time at home to clean out your closets, and consider donating here, once they are able to reopen. Literally everything possible is either sold, upcycled, or used in some other way, almost nothing goes to waste here!
On Re-opening ~
• Consider shopping at the stores (remember that stylish lady?), and take advantage of their “round up at the till” program.
• Check out Edgar & Joes café! Buy an extra “community coffee” while you’re there enjoying breakfast or lunch. It’s delish, and the restaurant space is quite beautiful!
I first became aware of the scope of Goodwill Industries way back when I worked for Social Services in the 80’s. I remember a super stylish executive talking to a group of us, and was completely shocked to learn that the core of this woman’s beautiful wardrobe was made up of thrift shop items.
Which really isn’t the point at all, although, it’s a good one.
Goodwill has a mission to provide work opportunities, skills development, and support to help folks with employment barriers advance toward self sufficiency. Revenues from the sale of merchandise in their Community Stores is the main source of funding for an amazing organization of various industries, and employment programs. I encourage you to give their website a look ~ www.goodwillindustries.ca ~ I think you’ll be WOWED by the sheer scope of what they do here!
As I write this, Ontario is in lockdown, and the Community Stores are understandably closed. Roughly 800 of their 1050 employees are on temporary leave. As you can imagine, the impact on their mission, and their people, is severe.
Corey and I would like to suggest a few “kitten steps” you might consider to help out.
Now ~
• Spread the word to your family & friends about what Goodwill is all about!
• Make a cash donation online.
• Check out their shop online. At this time, they offer curbside pick up at the Hyde Park location only, but please follow their website for updates and expanded service.
• Use your time at home to clean out your closets, and consider donating here, once they are able to reopen. Literally everything possible is either sold, upcycled, or used in some other way, almost nothing goes to waste here!
On Re-opening ~
• Consider shopping at the stores (remember that stylish lady?), and take advantage of their “round up at the till” program.
• Check out Edgar & Joes café! Buy an extra “community coffee” while you’re there enjoying breakfast or lunch. It’s delish, and the restaurant space is quite beautiful!
