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

When the pandemic halted regular volunteer opportunities, I helped both the City of Brampton Social Task Force and Global Medics distribute relief packages to address local and overseas food insecurity.

I spearheaded a fundraiser, walking 75 kilometres in 24 hours, on the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2 to raise money for the Poppy Fund.

I developed my leadership skills, by completing the Standing Bear Leadership Course as well as the Raven Indigenous Military training and have used these skills to coach younger members of my First Nation on our Missanabie Maskwa hockey team during the Little NHL tournament.

What problem does it aim to solve?

By developing my leadership skills, I gained confidence and the desire to give back to younger community members. By working with youth, I can encourage inclusivity and bridge gaps preventing youth from connecting with others in their community.

When did you start/join it?

One of the best decisions I have ever made was to join my local Sea Cadets Corps at the age of 12 in January 2017.

What made you want to get involved?

I mirrored my parents and grandparents who volunteered at my elementary schools to ensure that all children had access to programs and events. They also volunteered with my Cadet Corps. It made me realize that everyone can work to make a difference in their community.

What was the situation like when you started?

When the lockdown started during the Pandemic, I had to look to my community to come up with new ways to get involved. This is when I volunteered with the City of Brampton’s Social Support Task Force to address food insecurity. I started by helping with emergency food deliveries and then helped by working shifts to repackage bulk foods.

How has it changed since?

For me, the Pandemic really highlighted the need for community support during difficult times. In a situation where you feel helpless, it is okay to ask for support. The more I found ways to help, like volunteering at a vaccine clinic, the less isolated I felt.

What more needs to be done?

Especially since the pandemic, young people crave connection and the ability to help others. More opportunity for youth helps to build resilience and community spirit.

How can our readers help?

Find your way to make a difference in your local community, try volunteering at a food bank or other organization that is doing work that is important to you!

Do you have any events coming up?

As a 2023 National TD Scholar, I look forward to my studies at Dalhousie University in the Fall. I look forward to finding volunteer opportunities in Halifax and connecting with my new community.

Where can we follow you?

LinkedIn

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

The Knights Table in Brampton did an amazing job addressing food insecurity during the pandemic! I also want to give a shout-out to the Brampton Navy League, the parent-run volunteer organization that supports our Sea Cadets each year!

The post Charitable Choices: Mackenzie Nolan appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

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

We are Gift the Front Line. Our mission is to show frontline workers our appreciation by sending them care packages filled with self-care gifts that promote mental wellness. We source products locally, which also helps to support small businesses.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Frontline workers, especially nurses, are experiencing burnout as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. About 1 in 5 nurses have left their jobs since the pandemic started, with many more projected to leave the profession over the next few years. Those who remain are understaffed and overworked, which is ultimately having a negative impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Ontario has recently started offering a $5,000 retention bonus for nurses, but gestures such as recognition gifts are also a proven way to keep employees happy.

The other side is that local businesses have taken a big hit during the pandemic, with many going out of business. We want to help support these businesses by sourcing our gift products locally.

When did you start/join it?

I started this initiative in Dec 2021, along with two other co-founding members. We have since added several more volunteers.

What made you want to get involved?

I have close friends who are nurses, and others who are small business owners that have had to shut down, so I saw the toll the pandemic has taken on our community. I also lost some close relations over the last two years, and seeing the professionalism and empathy that the healthcare staff showed, despite what they were going through, was truly heartwarming. The lightbulb moment came when my wife, who works from home, started receiving employee appreciation gift boxes from her employer, and I thought that we can do the same for nurses. So I partnered with Arigato gifts, which is a new Toronto-based employee gifting company, to help source the gifts from Canadian businesses. Then I set up a GoFundMe page and shared it with all my contacts, and eventually got picked up by CP24 breakfast television, through which we raised almost $5,000 in donations.

What was the situation like when you started?

In Dec 2021, the Omicron variant was spreading rapidly, and little was known about it. The province went back into full lockdown.

How has it changed since?

The province is now opened up, but the BA.2 variant is continuing to spread, with cases on the rise in a ‘sixth wave.’ Even if the case counts do go down, sending gifts to nurses for all that they’ve already done over the past few years continues to be our goal.

What more needs to be done?

We are seeking more donations to be able to send more gifts to more frontline workers. As noted in my original email, we recently dropped off 200 gift boxes to Michael Garron Hospital, and they loved it. We are ready to send many more, but lack the funding.

How can our readers help?

By donating to our GoFundMe and by spreading the word.

Do you have any events coming up?

We have several hospitals reaching out to us for a gift drop off, but we will need more funding before we can schedule our next event.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Twitter | Instagram

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

RC Forward

The post Charitable Choices: Gift the Front Line appeared first on Toronto Guardian.