For many of us, we officially kick off the holiday season with scoring some Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Something relatively new that is growing year over year is an initiative called Giving Tuesday. This national day proceeds Black Friday and Cyber Monday in an effort to encourage people to give back. It is an initiative of Canada Helps.
Here in Liberty Village, we have a few not for profit organizations and groups that work wonders for their members on limited funding. The holiday season is a key time for them to do fundraising. Whether it be on Giving Tuesday or another day, all of these organizations would be full of gratitude for your contribution.
With their main office located in the Toronto Carpet Factory, they are the province’s largest collective voice representing Ontario’s autism community. They are made up of knowledgeable parents and professionals who can speak to the key issues that impact Ontario families with loved ones on the spectrum. Autism Ontario works to increase public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by people with autism, their families and the professionals with whom they interact. One in 94 Canadian children are diagnosed with autism (as noted by Autism Ontario).
This organization is celebrating an incredible 30 years in the community. The project initially started out in the Parkdale Public Library by Rita Cox, a librarian. She discovered that some children were taking books home, but didn’t have parents that could help them read. Programming was started to help adults increase their reading skills. Parkdale Project Read continues to allow adults to gain literacy skills to a level that they can access a wider range of employment options, allow them more choices, create a sense of belonging and to improve confidence.
Help Parkdale Project Read meet their fundraising goal of $30000 by the end of 2016. Donate here.
In honour of their amazing milestone of 30 years in the community, the organization would like to fundraise to meet their goal of $20000 in an initiative titled, “Read. Write. Rise Up”. They have set up an IndieGoGo campaign. Please help them reach their goal and donate here.
The Word on the Street is a not for profit organization that celebrates Canadian literacy and reading through an annual outdoor festival. They bring together many accomplished and up and coming Canadian authors. It is also a platform for other not for profit literacy organizations to come together to showcase how they can help improve reading skills for members of their own communities.
On December 7th and 8th, they will be having their annual book sale, selling books by Canadian authors.
LV Cares is a group of caring, kind hearted Liberty Village residents and businesses that have come together on a few initiatives throughout the year to help those in need or raise money for specific causes. Two years in a row, they have served Thanksgiving Dinner at Strachan House. The inaugural Liberty Village Terry Fox Run happened this past September, raising over $26000. For the holidays, join in on the social fundraiser happening on December 1st at William’s Landing. Money raised from this event will be used to purchase food to serve Christmas dinner at Strachan House. For event details or to donate, click here. Stay tuned for some great 2017 initiatives.
During this holiday season, if you have a few extra dollars to spare, please consider donating to a not-for-profit or charitable initiative that truly speaks to you.
