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charitable giving

This Year, Dare2Give

November 10, 2014 By Lena

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.
CourageYears 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. …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: charitable giving, Dare2Give, Governor General David Johnston, My Giving Moment

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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