This Year, Dare2Give

It’s my favourite quote of all time, shared from the lips of one of the most respected women on the planet – Oprah Winfrey. I’m guessing that perhaps, you already know the phrase.
Years ago (and honestly, I should probably say eons), I was in third grade, participating for the very first time in a school fundraiser. I brought the little booklet home and approached my parents, trembling with worry: I didn’t know how to raise donations for the cause. I knew my parents would donate; however, I was terribly frightened that I would be the only child in the class who came up short of the minimum suggested goal of $10.00.

I wept in my room.

My dad, upon seeing his little girl in distress, told me to write a note on the booklet with my name, my grade, and a simple request asking others to give. I took my time and wrote out a plea, decorating it with hearts and flowers.

The next day, my dad took that little booklet to work and stopped by a few desks. A few offices. The lunchroom. The smoker’s lounge. And at the end of the day, he returned with over $100.00 in donations, the little booklet filled up twice over. Each person had only donated a small amount – $0.50, or a dollar at the most – but he had the courage to simply ask. And his request was answered.

That weekend, I wrote a “thank you” note to every single person who had donated. And as my wrist ached and my fingers numbed to the feel of the pencil, I pressed on, knowing that I wanted to show appreciation not only to my dad’s kind co-workers, but also, to my dad. Because he taught me a powerful lesson that day: you get in life what you have the courage to ask for. And years later, when Oprah touted that all-so-powerful phrase, I nodded my head in agreement, having already lived through my own moment of realization. Having understood the message. 

Today, let’s talk about donating time, resources or money to make Canada a better place. Not surprisingly, research shows that one of the main reasons people decide to give is simply because someone asked.

But what if we went further than just asking? What if I dared you?

Imagine if every Canadian giver challenged one other person to donate or volunteer along with them? That’s what Dare2Give is all about.

Dare2Give is your chance to automatically double your giving impact simply by daring someone to donate or volunteer with you. It’s the latest in the My Giving Moment Campaign, inspired by the Governor General David Johnston.

These dares can be anything from small acts of kindness (raking your neighbour’s leaves, volunteering at a local school), sharing your resources (carpooling with the neighbourhood kids, offering your professional services pro bono) to monetary donations. To participate, simply:

1) Think about how you’d like to donate your time, money or resources
2) Dare someone to give with you
3) Visit Dare2Give, share your story, and enter the number of individuals that you’ve dared match your efforts

So what’s in it for you? Well, besides the knowledge that you’ve given yourself to make your community and country a better place, by participating in Dare2Give, you have the chance to win one TV Public Service Announcement from a leading Canadian broadcaster, and one radio Public Service Announcement from a second leading Canadian broadcaster. Each of these will put the charity of your choice in the spotlight it so deserves. (Contest ends December 14, 2014)

And since I always put my money where my mouth is…. this year, I’ll be purchasing 20 coffee gift cards, valued at $5.00 each, and giving them to staff at local service counters as a thank you for helping us through the upcoming holiday rush.

To my fellow social media friends, @SassyModernMom, @TeacherMomofTwo and @RossanaWyatt – I dare you to do the same!

This holiday season, will you Dare2Give? Select your preferred way to donate, dare your friends to match your donation, and visit Dare2Give for a chance to win for your favourite charity or see below to enter the number of people you’ve challenged.

Although this post has been generously sponsored by Rideau Hall Foundation, the opinions and language are my own, and in no way do they reflect Rideau Hall Foundation.