Saturday Morning

This morning I was supposed to have Median Fundraising's Annual General Meeting but due to scheduling conflicts it had to be rescheduled. I have been feeling sad, torn and exhausted with Median. I felt like I was losing my passion.

Instead of the meeting, I dragged myself to a cafe to sit and read everything I could to figure out how to make Median better. In the process of reading I became more and more stressed out with the thought that if I wanted Median to be better it felt like I would be doing all the work - and there is so much of it. I started to question why, why does Median exist? Are we able to fulfill our mission? We want to provide support to struggling local charities and causes but here I was struggling on my own. 

After reading for a solid two hours I decided to take a break and walk down the street. As I walked down Granville I met Inda standing outside a Starbucks asking for change. It was too beautiful of a day to say no but I had no change so instead bought him a cake and a hot chocolate. I said goodbye to Inda (yes I took his photo and he was eager); upon walking out the door the Starbucks barista stopped to thank me and continue to 'pay it forward' with a giftcard.

It was at this moment, that I realized I will always have a natural passion for wanting to help other people whether through Median or my own personal life. And it felt really good to help Inda - not because of the giftcard but because the thought that sharing this story might inspire others to 'pay it forward'.

Median exists to support local community organizations/causes with issues related to  health and socio-economic challenges. And it was through the inception of Median that I wanted to inspire the community to create change. With my momentary exchange this morning I feel reinvigorated to find a way to make sustainable changes for Median - and myself.

In sincerity,

Maria

Do you wish to create social impact? Do you want to know more about Median? 

Contact me at maria@medianfundraising.com 

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.

A Valentine's Kind of Love

February 14^th has been dubbed by Hallmark as a day to buy presents and whisper sweet nothings to your significant other. It has spiraled to the extreme where singles are now solemnly reminded of the person they are lacking or missing. Instead of rambling about how this will be my first ever Valentines day in a relationship, I want to focus on highlighting the importance of loving yourself. 

When you love yourself everyone around you can sense it. You are genuine with your interactions and sincere with your words. When you love yourself in the most whole way you typically exert as much care about your community, family and friends.  Like being in a relationship, you can take this love for granted. It’s easy to overlook or assume it exists but it’s only after taking good care that you will come to understand it’s value. Here are simple tips that boost your self-love:

 

•  Lift those legs! Everyone knows your body physiology influences your health and of course your mind frame. Sticking to a daily work out routine helps boost your self confidence and decreases chances of health diseases. But don’t be too hard on yourself if your schedule right now is to crazy. Little things such as walking to the grocery store or taking stairs instead of the elevator are a great start to creating a routine.

•  Open those arms! Vancouver is a busy city. Everyone seems to be jetpacking to their next meeting or appointment. Take this time to assess your schedule and ensure you leave yourself enough time to get places. Observe your surroundings, take note of cherry blossoms peaking from their shoots and the moss sprouting from the trees. Open yourself to greeting and acknowledging the person you walk by as they are as much a human being as you are.  
• Straighten your back! The challenge I present to you is to take the time every week to stare at yourself in the mirror. As you stare into your reflection acknowledge the amazing and wonderful person you’ve become and that you are limitless to anything you want to set your mind to!

Happy Valentine's Day! 


 
 

The Charity Craft Fair is back!

The Charity Craft Fair is back this year! Happening on November 22nd at the BCIT Downtown Campus from 10-3pm.

This isn't going to be a repeated promo post about what you will find at the Charity Craft Fair but what I hope the Charity Craft Fair will mean. You see the constant posts on social media and maybe even see the posters at your local cafe constantly expressing how we aim to support local charities and bring our community together. This truly is what I hope this event accomplishes. It is one of life's most beautiful things: watching people help each other out of the goodness of their hearts. There are people within each organization that exist that have made it their career to support low-income seniors, to fundraise for cures and fight against marginalization. These amazing people have found the value of life not in the money they earn but the lives they impact.

Most people who know me might say I'm overly emotional, this might be true, but it genuinely provides so much meaning in my life to be surrounded by these selfless individuals and amazing organizations. I feel truly blessed and grateful to have this opportunity to provide our local charities a cost free venue to showcase what they do.

Come out and see what I am rambling about on Saturday November 22nd from 10-3pm at BCIT Downtown.

xoxo Maria

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

Volunteer in 2014!

It seems to take a holiday season for some people to consider our community. It makes complete sense that it does since now is a time that we spend time with our families and those we love. And so undoubtedly we think of those who aren't able to experience the warmth and love we have ourselves - we act on this feeling of privilege.

 

This has been the case for me. Being socially aware and empathetic to those who have less has always been in my nature. It stems from a sense of privilege being in an opportunity filled country, having a supportive family and a healthy well being. This is the premise that Median is based on. The feeling of privilege and paying it forward.  If you are also looking for a way to act up on your sense of gratitude or simply want to support your community I would love to meet you!

Median is looking for professionals and new graduates looking for experience who want to give back to society. Volunteer commitments range from being project or event specific to monthly set hours. Please contact me if you are interested at maria@medianfundraising.com