It's already December?!

The days go by so fast. I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of 2014.

This year has been evolutionary for Median. From hosting two large events to gaining so much volunteer interest and awareness in our community for Median. It is at this time that we need to shift our gears. We’re calling for all interested individuals with relevant experience in non-profit financials and program development to please apply to be part of our board. We also encourage those looking for non-profit management, event planning and community involvement experience to apply.

We are looking for passionate individuals who are wanting to make a difference in their community. Commitments are a one year term and involve quarterly meetings, occasional email or phone conferences equivalent to about 2-4 hours a month please see detailed posting on Charity Village here.

Please submit your application in the form of a resume and cover letter to maria@medianfundraising.com by Wednesday, December 31^st. Applications will be reviewed and interviewed in January and successful applicants will be notified by February.

Success!

Last month's Charity Craft Fair Vancouver was held at BCIT's Downtown Campus and raised $693 for Pancreatic Cancer Canada.

We also supported local charities such as the Shanti Uganda, Global Mothers, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Flowers for Food, Girl Guides of Vancouver and many more!

See our Charity Craft Fair website to see a list of this year's vendors, sponsors and amazing volunteers!

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

Awareness is key - human trafficking

I recently watched the movie Trade reminding me of the reality of human trafficking.

It was disturbing and deeply saddening that women, girls and boys can be purchased and exploited like a commodity. I sat there thinking what can I do? How can I attempt to create change so that perhaps in the future this social issue of perceiving people as entities that can be bought for sexual exploitation can be eradicated?

Here are a few things I came up as small steps towards creating change:

1. Spread awareness - prevent potential victims and deter predators 

2. Support organizations advocating for change in government & law enforcement services

3. Attend fundraising & education events supporting victims.

In British Columbia an organization called REED (Resist Expoloitation Embrace Dignity) does these exact things. Learn more about REED through their website and find out more about how you can make a difference: www.embracedignity.org

It's happening again!

The 2nd Annual MEDIAN Charity Craft Fair will be held at the BCIT Downtown Campus (555 Seymour St) on Saturday November 22nd from 10am-3pm.

Come support Vancouver charities by purchasing products that fund their programs while buying a gift for your loved one.

We are currently looking for interested charity and local business vendors to showcase their wares. Admission is by donation to cover venue costs.

All proceeds after venue cost is deducted will be donated to Pancreatic Cancer Canada - the nation's leading organization funding research and awareness for pancreatic cancer.


For more informaiton please contact: info@medianfundraising.com


This event is sponsored by:

Fundraiser Focus: Mark Angeles

Mark is joining the 7th Annual Glotman Simpson Cypress Challenge on August 16th a group of cyclists starting in Vancouver making their journey to Cypress Mountain to support pancreatic cancer research through the BC Cancer Foundation.

Mark has always been interested in cycling but it wasn’t until a fellow coworker had shared the Cypress Challenge that he rose to the occassion. He resides in South Vancouver and bikes 30 km daily to his workplace in Burnaby in preparation for his journey. His fellow coworker who is a Median Fundraising supporter noticed his efforts to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research and forwarded him over to us. Once hearing about Median Fundraising and Noel’s Story Mark became even more inspired to take this cycling journey seriously.

 “Cycling is all about the discipline to prepare for the ride, the strength to endure the ride and the feeling of success after knowing what you’ve accomplished. It’s an honor for me to do this on behalf of those like Noel who have lost their battle to pancreatic cancer” says Mark.

To support Mark and pancreatic cancer research through the BC Cancer Foundation donate to his page here: http://donate.bccancerfoundation.com/site/TR/Events/7thAnnualCypressChallenge?px=1864891&pg=personal&fr_id=2510

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