1987. I was nine years old; a third grade student, a child of the eighties. It was the first year I was asked to participate in the school’s annual fundraiser – the “MS Read-A-Thon” – where students asked friends and family to sponsor them for every book read.
As the donation booklets were distributed, my eyes ran up and down the columns at the back of the brochure. Sponsors. Amount Offered. Books Read.
I paled slightly, my hands trembling as I shoved the booklet in my desk. I felt sick.
My immigrant parents weren’t the type to support charitable initiatives. Don’t get me wrong; they willfully donated to their church and its associated fundraising campaigns, it’s just that they were much less inclined to extend that generosity to organizations unknown to them. I feared that I would be the only student who didn’t raise a sizable contribution – or any at all! – for the fundraiser.
My grade 3 teacher could sense that something was off. Pulling me aside during outdoor recess, she asked if I had any questions about the annul Read-A-Thon. Not wanting to lie, I confided in her.
After listening to me articulate my misgivings, she smiled kindly and said, “No amount is too small. Every little bit counts. There are 26 million people in Canada. If every person gave just one cent – only one penny that they found under the couch or in their pocket – we could raise $260,000 for MS Research. See that? You don’t have to think big to make a difference. You just have to make it count.”
Immediately, I felt at ease. What she said made complete sense to me; there was no denying the truth behind her theory. I planned to go home and ask my parents for just one cent in sponsorship for every book I read during the one-month campaign.
They surprised me by offering $0.25 for each book read. At the end of the fundraiser, I proudly turned over my $7.50 donation. It may have been much less than the students whose brochures were filled with names and amounts. In fact, I was likely at the bottom of the totem pole. But I learned a valuable lesson that year – every effort is a valid one. Big or small, young or old, everyone can make a difference.
And when we invest in youth, great things happen.
To celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary on July 1, 2017, RBC is challenging thousands of young Canadians to “Make 150 Count”. Here’s how it works:
Canadian employees will select over 3,000 youth and give them $150 with a simple request: use the money to make a positive impact. How the participants will use the money is up to them! The only request is that these youth use the $150 to make a positive impact and capture what they’ve done through social media and a private submission site.
Here’s how some of the participating youths have already made a difference:
– Created care packages for homeless, elderly and children in hospitals
– Purchased musical instruments for youth group
– Donated school supplies to Syrian refugee children
– Held baby shower for an expectant mother in need
– Donated pet supplies to local SPCA
– Held a ‘yoga in a park’ event for LGBT community
– Built a robot to clean up garbage (my personal hero)
– Taught dance class to disabled individuals
Justin, from Shelburne ON, used his $150 to invite a speaker and host a seminar for the schools in his community to encourage kids to stand up to bullying and create a positive space for everyone.
I love, love, love this program. And RBC has a long legacy of supporting initiatives to help youth realize their potential; they help communities prosper through donations, community investments, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. (In 2015, they contributed more than $121 million to causes around the world.)
Want to be part of their national movement? If you’re between the ages of 16-25, tell RBC how you will Make 150 Count through Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #Make150Count. You can also submit your application at rbc.com/make150count. While you’re there, don’t forget to see how others have made a difference in their communities thanks to the program.
And if you’re reading my post, looking for inspiration on how you can make a difference, may I suggest donating your time, money or resources to The International Day of Pink? On Wednesday, April 12, 2017, communities across the country unite in celebrating diversity and raising awareness to stop homophobia, transphobia, transmisogyny, and all forms of bullying.
By supporting youth to help realize their potential and make an impact on their communities, we can shape our country’s future. This year, let’s celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary by making $150 count.
This post is sponsored by RBC. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.
I love your every little bit counts story. So often we don’t even try because we think it’s not going to make a difference.
This was a great post
It is true that every little bit does count. Will be interesting to follow and see what all is done with this program.
This is a great initiative by RBC to invest in our youth to help them make a difference in their communities and make our country a better place to live for all.
A good lesson to learn.In 1987 1 was just 24 and feeling unwell most days and it took 5 long years for Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive diagnosis.
We are so lucky to live a Nation as great as Canada!
This is a great reminder that EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS.
In our household, we put more stock in giving our time, as opposed to money. We spend a great deal of time over the year volunteering with causes we believe in. Our 12 yr old daughter has been raised to know that time is just as valuable as money.
Thanks for a great post :)
Your teacher taught you a very valuable lesson, small steps lead to larger ones and we all need to contribute to help others in our own way.
This article really hit home. As a fellow child of immigrant parents growing up in the 80s, I dreaded any sort of sponsorship challenge. Not that my parents didn’t give but having 4 children and no family in Canada there wasn’t a lot of money to go around. Your teacher sounds like a very kind and thoughtful person to have sensed your trepidation. I love “every effort is a valid one”. Thanks!
I really agree that every effort is a valid one. And I love the International Day of Pink, I hope it’s grow more popular every year.
Your grade three teacher was a smart teacher!
What a beautiful post. It made me tear up because I remember having the same reaction to those sort of school announcements. My parents were not immigrants, however, we were quite poor so sparing money for a charity when, in fact, we could be considered the charity was a big ask. I completely give unabashedly (sometimes to my hubby’s dismay) now as an adult but I remember being too scared to bother to ask my family for any donations of any kind. Thanks for a brilliant post!
So inspiring and heart-warming to read about all the different ways Canadian Youth are Making 150 Count!
“You just have to make it count.” I love that. Kudos to RBC and that awesome program. I love that it encourages young people to give back to the community however they want.
Aww what a touching story. We all can make a difference. I need to tell my daughter about this amazing program! She’s not yet old enough to enter but making 150 count opens up a great dialogue about how to give back.
Wow! That is such a beautiful message and a wonderful story. Your teacher should get an award. I’d love to share this story with everyine I know. Thank you fir sharing this empowering message. :)
The medical technology has grown so much and donating is a great way to help. Great post !
I love RBC’s 150 initiative! Now a days youth get a bad rap about being selfish and by giving them the opportunity to join the 150 it allows people to see they are not all like that.
You had a great teacher , thanks for sharing :)
I loved reading your story and it reminded me of my youth. My dad was a laborer and worked 12 hrs a day, we got by due to a thrifty mother and always were dressed and fed. My older brother went to grammar school and then my twin & I passed the exams to go too. A meeting for new parents was held and I sank down in my seat as my mother stood up and asked where to get the patterns and material for the skirts & dresses. as she’d be sewing them herself. Nobody else made their own but uniform was a must and we couldn’t afford to buy them. Now I’m proud that she could do that or we wouldn’t have been able to attend grammar school.
Great ideas!
Great story! I often feel like my little contributions can’t possibly be actually helping any cause in a real way but every little bit does count and it’s better than doing nothing!
Great article. Thanks for the reminder.