Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

When I first began working with Ripple Foundation, it was in a support role for the Kids Write 4 Kids contest. Ripple receives hundreds of submissions each year from across Canada which need to be vetted to ensure they meet all contest requirements. From there, the top ten stories for judges are selected. After getting to know founder Ivy Wong, I really loved her energy, passion, and dedication to her cause and believed in it, too. As the writing contest is geared towards elementary school levels, Ivy wanted to launch something for teenagers–this is how the Wave Blog came about! My editorial background served the blog well, ensuring content was clean, clear, and error-free and gave our student writers a chance to work with a “real” editor.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Ripple Foundation aims to foster creativity in Canadian youth through writing.

When did you start/join it?

I have been working with the Ripple Foundation for eight years and have watched it grow!

What made you want to get involved?

I was feeling established and confident in my career, but something else felt lacking. I started talking with friends and colleagues, asking how they give back to their communities. I learned about Ripple through a friend, who knew of my love for books, and she connected me with Ivy.

From the first time we met, I knew I wanted to be a part of this team. Ivy is so selfless and dedicated–her energy was infectious and I never want to say no to her! She had so many ideas and loved talking about them. I found myself drawn into her vision and wanted to help and really began to love bouncing ideas around with her. My time feels like a small thing to give, but seeing the success we’ve had over the years is more gratifying than I could have imagined.

What was the situation like when you started?

When I started working with Ripple Foundation, the Kids Write 4 Kids contest was the only program offered, and the number of entries has doubled over the years. It was early days, and our roster of volunteers was small. Since then, our numbers have grown to include adult and student volunteers. Ivy realized creative writing workshops could benefit some Kids Write 4 Kids participants. So with the help of an Ontario-certified teacher, we launched the Write It Workshops, which began as a series of three and has expanded to five over the years. When we launched the Wave Blog, it was just Ivy and me. We were publishing two blog posts a month, and since COVID, we’ve been publishing weekly. To date, we’ve published over 220 blog posts! Our editorial team has also grown to include two copy editors and one editorial assistant. And this year, we hosted our second virtual Express Inspire Connect youth conference.

How has it changed since?

As mentioned above, we’ve grown in size and offerings. However, the world is different today than eight years ago when I started. We are always learning new ways to reach different communities and how to communicate with them. We are looking at the mediums kids today use in expressing creativity, whether it’s pencil on paper or online. We want to evolve and remain a relevant and supportive source for students, families, and teachers across Canada.

What more needs to be done?

Obviously, we would love to reach even more kids across Canada, offer more workshops, and continue to develop new programs. We are proud to continue inspiring and empowering the next generation of writers and creators, and we invite you to join us in this mission.

How can our readers help?

First, we would love for readers to check out our website and social media accounts and see the various programs and opportunities we offer! Share this information with your kids and friends and their kids and friends. Know a teacher? Let them know about the Kids Write 4 Kids contest and the Wave Blog. Check out our merch and buy one of the winning Kids Write 4 Kids contest titles! Volunteer your time with us! And if you can, donations to Ripple Foundation are always appreciated.

Do you have any events coming up?

The virtual Write It Workshops are held every Saturday for grades 4-8 and are a fantastic opportunity for kids to learn and grow as writers. The schedule for these workshops can be found on the Ripple Foundation website. Additionally, the 2024 Kids Write for Kids contest launching on October 1, 2023, is an excellent way for young writers to showcase their creativity and become published authors.

We also participate in other charity organizations’ events by hosting in-person workshops and exhibit booths to promote our programs. Our recent participation at The Word On The Street festival in May–which had over 400 people dropping by to share their favourite books–is a testament to Ripple Foundation’s impact on the community. Interested individuals can sign up for Ripple Foundation’s e-newsletter to stay updated on upcoming events and programs.

Where can we follow you?

Readers can find out more about our programs on our website. They can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to stay updated.

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

● Canada-Ukraine Foundation

● Daily Bread Food Bank

The post Charitable Choices: Tamara Capar of Ripple Foundation appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Partygoers should expect a cheerful family-friendly summer event where they will join JJ, YoYo, Nina, TomTom, and Cody. Starting from July 20^th to August 7^th at 401 Bay Street (Arcadian Court, Inside Simpson Tower), CoComelon Party Time brings a fun-filled party to the city. Children can look forward to exciting party experiences. Visitors will get to play party games like the ring toss, pin the tail on Cody’s Dino, and Bear Bean Bag Toss, as well as dance to their favourite CoComelon tunes on the light-up dance floor. Additionally, guests can expect to take a pretend ride in a hot air balloon. With a larger-than life rainbow play zone, guests can also ascend through the clouds. Considering those other lively activities are lined up, kids will have the opportunity to create at the colouring or activity centre, and likewise enjoy a party-themed snack bag and story time.

CoComelon is presented by Mary Ruth’s, a fast-growing health and wellness brand offering first-rate vegan vitamins and supplements for all ages, from infants to adults. Attendees that are 12 months and older will need tickets.

And more interesting, all guests will also get to take captivating photos with their treasured CoComelon friends. Now what are you waiting for?! You can visit  CoComelonPartyTime.com to sign up for the mailing list, to find more relevant information about the event schedule, and to check out a list of FAQs. Stay tuned for more updates on Instagram. Ticket prices begin at $29.50 CAD and are on sale to the public now on the website.

Don’t miss this chance to enjoy a CoComelon-themed party with your family members or possibly celebrate your child’s birthday. If you’re ready to step into the distinctive, and bright-coloured world of CoComelon, plan your visit today.

The post CoComelon Party Time is Set to Open in Toronto on July 20th appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

Kid2Kid is a registered charity that was started by Shah Ruby and me in 2019 with the goal of creating volunteer opportunities for kids. Our goal is to get kids involved in volunteer work that benefits kids in need and therefore spreads kindness through actions.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Kid2Kid aims to help kids residing in a local family shelter get a head start by receiving essentials that were put together by kids who volunteer, such as backpacks, school supplies, and seasonal essentials.

When did you start/join it?

We started Kid2Kid in September of 2019 and our first initiative was to contribute to a local food drive.

What made you want to get involved?

When my daughter asked me how she is actually helping anyone by participating in a physical activity in her school’s parking lot, I knew we could do better to teach her the value of helping others. So, Shah and I researched what kind of things kids could do to help other kids. That’s how the idea of Kid2Kid came about.

What was the situation like when you started?

When we started, we were not able to find any safe, hands-on volunteer activities for young children.

How has it changed since?

Today, Kid2Kid provides many opportunities for kids to come together and do things that are age-appropriate such as helping to fill the backpacks, drawing cards, counting supplies, putting up posters and helping think of ideas to help other kids. We now have 3 initiatives per year: our Got Your Back initiative provides backpacks and school supplies to kids in August, our winter initiative is when we put together winter totes filled with essentials for kids in February and our first-ever fundraising kids’ Market Place which took place this June.

What more needs to be done?

At any given time, there are 90 kids who reside at a family shelter in our area. Kid2Kid would love to provide more for these children such as toys, art supplies and enough school supplies to last the entire school year.

How can our readers help?

We welcome all kinds of help such as volunteering for our fundraising event, helping spread the word or volunteering your time to coordinate our initiatives. All volunteer opportunities and the procedure to make a donation can be found on our website.

Do you have any events coming up?

Our Got Your Back initiative will take place in mid-July where were will put together 100 backpacks benefiting the kids residing at the RedDoor Family Shelter.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Facebook | Twitter

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

Since 1982, the Red Door Family Shelter has provided emergency shelter and support for women and children affected by domestic abuse, families experiencing a housing crisis, and refugee claimants with nowhere else to turn.

The post Charitable Choices: Caroline Thomson of Kid2Kid appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is on display? Original puppets including The Grogs and Muffy The Mouse as well as a few replicas and set props like The Friendly Giant’s Window are there. Vintage televisions are throughout the exhibition where visitors can take in a few episodes. It’s also exhibition to inspire conversations with today’s kids. Immersive and interactive stations offer more ways to explore how children’s television shows were made and enjoyed. Learn how puppets were made and how they came to life. Master puppeteer Nina Keogh was at the opening night and had mentioned how she had offered performers tips on ways to make the hand puppets come to life.

There’s even a Polkadot Door and a Mr. Dressup’s Tickle Trunk for photo opps! Visitors can also learn about the history of Canadian children’s television throughout the space. There’s a timeline on display as well as morsels of information   thoughtfully positioned.

At the opening I also had a chance to chat with actor Mark Kersey who played “Mark the Repairman” for 10 seasons of Mr. Dressup.

Kersey recalled auditioning for the show. “One of the writers of the show had in the script for a yo-yo expert to come on the show to do some tricks. At the time, I was also the Canadian National Yo-Yo Champion and actually when I was eleven years old I was the All-City Yo-Yo Champion,” said Kersey. “But when I got on the set I wanted to make sure that everyone knew that I was also an actor. I was also writing songs and could play a lot of different instruments. I think that really charmed everybody. So, instead of one episode they had me stay on for 10 years!”

The show writers created the role for him and “Mark the Repairman”  became a regular character in Mr. Dressup’s universe to help fix whatever was broken. “My character was reoccurring and I was fortunate to stay on because most visiting characters would come and do one show and we’d never see them again. But this guy kept showing up and fixing the sink or something in the shed. He would show up with his toolbox and  help Mr. Dressup but the funny thing was there always was a yo-yo in the toolbox,” said Kersey with a big smile.

Kersey also mentioned that he was also a writer on the show. “I would write my own scripts and songs. Because it was a national TV show we knew there were big residuals on our songs. All the writers did the same.”

Aside from his work on Mr. Dressup, Kersey entertained Canadians in his various in-person shows including a popular Duelling Pianos act. He also was the organist for the Toronto Blue Jays for four years and has appeared in many television commercials in Canada and the US.

Fondest memory as being part of the Mr. Dressup family?  “It actually happened near here when Jani Lauzon had a CD release party at The Horseshoe and several of us from the show had dinner at Peter Pan. Then, we went across the street to her concert. Imagine this bunch of characters and crew, including Ernie (Mr.Dressup) from this popular kids’ show at the Horseshoe? It was a lot of fun. I’ll never forget it,” said Kersey.

Jani Lauzon has an extensive career in the Canadian entertainment scene as a multidisciplinary artist and was a puppeteer on Mr. Dressup and went on to win a Gemini for her work on the show.

Fun fact…Ernie Coombs who played the iconic Mr. Dressup was a former understudy for Fred Rogers. Mr. Dressup was Canada’s longest-running children’s show (1967 to 1996) The preschool audience were taught subjects using puppets, games, songs, and costumes discovered in his Tickle Trunk.

“I’m very, very impressed with this exhibition. A lot of work when into this and I’m so glad that it covers so many of the iconic children’s shows,” said Kersey. “It brings back a lot of great memories for me and I hope the same goes for those who grew up watching us. It’s also great for parents and their kids today to visit and see what it was like to create a show back then.”

Mr Dressup to Degrassi: 42 Years of Legendary Toronto Kids TV exhibition is now open to the public at Myseum 401 Richmond in Toronto. Admission is free. More information can be found here.

Myseum is known as Toronto’s museum. Dedicated to tell the history, evolving stories and experiences that are truly about Toronto and the people who live and work here.

The post Myseum opens Canadian Children’s TV retrospective exhibit in Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Describe your charity/non-profit in a few sentences.

At The Children’s Breakfast Clubs, we take a holistic approach to children’s breakfast times and address many of the community needs in disadvantaged locations across the Greater Toronto Area.

We do this by working with our community partners, such as schools, residents, organizations and agencies, to provide local kids with nutritious, well-balanced breakfasts, while encouraging children to develop healthy nutritional, behavioural and personal habits and providing emotional support and social and intellectual stimulation.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Even pre-pandemic, many homes in Toronto were food insecure. This problem has only been exacerbated by the new challenges the pandemic has thrown into the mix.

Health and nutritional professionals consider breakfast to be the most important meal of the day. If children don’t have the fuel they need to power their learning minds and growing bodies, their progress may be hindered and have impacts on their route in life.

To plug these food gaps in our city and beyond, The Children’s Breakfast Clubs operates at 28 community locations and with some of the GTA’s most disadvantaged and marginalized communities to ensure that our next generation is getting the nourishment they need for their development and to start the day on the right foot.

At the time of writing, we are able to feed 5,000 hungry children per week, but we know many more still need our support, and so we are always actively seeking new partnerships and support to grow the outreach of our community programs wherever possible.

When did you start/join it?

I founded The Children’s Breakfast Clubs back in 1982.

What made you want to get involved?

In the early ‘80s, I came to learn that many parents were heading off to work early in the morning, and with no one at home to prepare meals for their children, they would grab unhealthy items like chips, soda, or not eat or drink entirely.

It struck me that this is no way for a child to be starting their day; children need nourishment to be able to learn, grow and be at their best.

That’s what inspired me to launch The Children’s Breakfast Clubs that operate within communities that need this kind of support.

What was the situation like when you started?

In disadvantaged communities around the GTA, truancy rates were high, and children who were making it to school were arriving late.

Not having a nutritious meal really does start the day off on the wrong foot, and when children are skipping class regularly it can lead to knowledge gaps that could impact them later in life. We wanted to change this to give our local children the best chance at life.

How has it changed since?

We have 28 community locations where we provide 5,000 breakfasts per week to children who might otherwise go without.

Noticeably, when kids start to eat a proper hot breakfast, they make it to school on time and are ready to learn. There’s also been a significant decrease in children heading to the nurse’s office with tummy aches and unable to participate in school activities.

Going to school on a full tummy means they are fully engaged and ready to make the most of all opportunities and learning experiences that come their way.

What more needs to be done?

While we have breakfast covered, more needs to be done to enforce a lunch-focused program. Ensuring children are getting at least two meals will boost their chance at learning and growth even more.

For our breakfast program, we place a huge emphasis on ensuring the meal we provide is well-balanced. More needs to be done to ensure children have a well-balanced diet overall, too.

How can our readers help?

We rely on donations and funding goes a long way for us, as we don’t receive government support. Donations make our community programs possible.

We encourage volunteers to participate at our breakfast clubs to see firsthand where the funds are going.

Our volunteers also serve as role models for the children we provide breakfasts for, and we hope the volunteers open their eyes to what they could do and achieve when they grow up.

Do you have any events coming up?

TasteToronto and Burnbrae Farms have just kicked off a Dine with Eggs culinary collective in aid of The Children’s Breakfast Clubs. Readers can visit 30 of the participating Toronto restaurants and for every dish or drink crafted with a Burnbrae Farms’ egg on the menu, a fresh breakfast omelette will be donated to a school-aged child in some of the most disadvantaged communities locally who might otherwise go without breakfast.

Readers can check out more details about all of the restaurants involved to support The Children’s Breakfast Clubs here.

Where can we follow you?

You can visit our website to discover volunteer opportunities and learn about other ways to support our cause.

You can also keep up to date with what we are up to on our social media:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

The Second Chance Scholarship Foundation is a charitable organization that believes all youth have potential, and if given the opportunity to succeed academically, can become educated, responsible and contributing members of society.

The post Charitable Choices: The Children’s Breakfast Clubs by Rick Gosling appeared first on Toronto Guardian.