A day for love

On this day we are reminded to celebrate love. I think the Hallmark & Hershey companies of this world have over taken the media and somehow branded this day to be related to buying gifts of chocolate (..etc) for loved ones but to me Valentines day, while it is like any other day, is just an internationally day to recognize those we love in our lives.

So today, I am choosing to recognize the love I have for the people and charities in our community. Median Fundraising was created as a means of providing help to charities/organizations that lacked funding. There are some amazing people doing wonderful things for our community. While I could talk about my love for our volunteers and their desire to organize/plan events to inspire community engagement I am choosing today to talk about Beauty Night Society.

Last night I met with the lovely Caroline MacGillivray, founder of Beauty Night Society. Beauty Night has been a pillar of strength and support in the Downtown Eastside Vancouver Community for 15 years. They've now expanded their programs of wellness throughout the urban centres of the Lower Mainland.

I was just completed blown away by their accomplishments. But what I love about this organization is their mission and their volunteers' ability to see every person as equal within our very polarized society to provide building blocks of self esteem to those who need it most but are often denied it as they are in poverty.

This April 15th we are hosting our annual Live Music Fundraiser for Beauty Night Society and all the wonderful and amazing work they do! Please email us and we'll keep you updated on event details.

Manicures with Beauty Night

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit a shelter in the heart of the Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. It was Beauty Night at the Women’s Centre in the First United Church and I was giving women of the DTES manicures.

 

I guess it was a bit surreal as I felt like I had been watching that new Netflix hit ‘Orange is the New Black’. By that I mean women had their little cliques and were so grateful for the little that came their way such as the dessert treat that they wrapped up into a paper towel for later or the little gift bag with travel size shampoo and conditioner they received. And then it got real - a woman came in with a glass shard in her foot and another bitterly reacted when a volunteer complimented her nails (she apologized in the end).

As I painted their nails (my best manicure effort to this day), I overheard them talking about their dating and family lives reminding me that we are all the same. We all have the same daily routines, cognitive thought processes and the need to nurture our relationships. I was reminded of how truly blessed and fortunate I am for everything I have and the opportunity I have to work for what I want. It was a grounding experience for me.

Towards the end of our volunteer shift the room to the beds were opened. Women walked into the room with all they had in their arms and laid themselves on a bed for the night. And some went back out into the neighborhood. This was my second week volunteering with Beauty Night. They provide these services to women 3-4 days every week at various locations throughout the Lower Mainland.

If you would like to volunteer with Beauty Night visit their website at www.beautynight.org or send me an email at maria@medianfundraising.com

xo, Maria

In Gratitude

Its been three years since I lost my cousin to pancreatic cancer. Since then, Median Fundraising was created to shine awareness on under recognized causes and support local charities.

Yesterday, with the help of some amazing volunteers and inspirational women Median Fundraising put on a High Tea Social Seminar in support of Pancreatic Cancer Canada. The event featured Sadie St. Denis - Executive Director of the Shanti Uganda, Caroline MacGillivray - Beauty Night Society, Darcy Marquardt - Olympic Silver Medalist & KidSport Ambassador and Amy Beeman of the Beat 94.5 as the master of ceremonies. With live violinists and event sponsors - the High Tea was definitely a highlight of my year.

I don't feel I did a sufficient job thanking the right people yesterday (I was a bit frazzled as the rental company was picking up the tables).  So here we go...

To Sadie, Caroline & Darcy who I am so fortunate to have met this past year - your lives and your generous nature to give back to the community are so inspirational and motivating for me.

To Amy, I am genuinely thankful for your support with this event and for responding to my tweet :) It was truly a pleasure to meet you!

To Patricia & Jeremiah, the music of your violins truly heightened the atmosphere and nature of the event and I am truly grateful.

To Marie of M&M Indulgences, a sentence will never suffice my gratitude for your never ending support; I was told the food was amazing (I forgot to eat yesterday but I have eaten your food countless times) and presentation impeccable.

A great thank you to the event sponsors & contributors who made it possible for our event to raise more funds for pancreatic cancer research - OrcaCoast Playgrounds, Harvey Kemp Kok de Roca-Chan CGAs, Annemarie of Steeped Tea, A&B Partytime Rentals, Upright Decor, Champagne Dreams, Petit Four,  Sweet Rehab, LuvCravings, I Love Macarons, Society Restaurant, the Secret Garden Tea Company, the Shaughnessy, the Vancouver Art Gallery & Urban Impact.

To the Median volunteers, Alyssa, Junie, Jordyn, Janick & Hilary, a great big thank you for your time and efforts in assisting with the event.

And most importantly to the voluntary event planning committee, Adrienne, Alexandra, Amber & Andra, who have spent countless hours over the last two months working to ensure that the event was not just successful but that through it we could truly provide support to Pancreatic Cancer Canada.


This blog or any speech that I make can never fully capture my gratitude for this amazing community.

Genuinely,
Maria Bernardo