Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

children's charities

When You Believe in Kids, They Can Do Anything

By

Sometimes, I’m reduced to tears. While I’d hardly call myself the emotional type, my breakdowns are normally limited to Titanic-esque moments – few and far between. So I’m finding it really interesting that the following video (about hockey, of all things!) made my eyes well up with emotion. Yes, I may have had a quivering lip. And yes, it may have been Thomas’ sweet accent that did me in.

I suppose when it comes down to it, the sheer power of the message stems from the fact that children are our future: for our economic prosperity, the health of the planet and the hope of humanity. Kids need and deserve our complete commitment so they can be healthy in mind, body and spirit.

That’s why I’m proud to support RBC’s Believe in Kids Pledge; a five-year, $100 million commitment to improve the well-being of at least 1 million kids and youth.

The funds will be distributed among projects such as:

RBC Children’s Mental Health Project: Since 2008, the RBC Children’s Mental Health Project has helped hundreds of organizations dedicated to providing early intervention, increasing public awareness and reducing the stigma of mental illness.

RBC After School Project: Since 1999, the RBC After School Project has supported community-based organizations that provide children with a safe place to develop knowledge, social skills and self-esteem.

Sports: RBC has been a strong supporter of sports from the playground to the podium since 1947 because they know healthy, active youth contribute to great communities….

Read More

Enjoy McD’s GUILT-FREE Today! #McHappyDay

By

It’s McHappy Day! The one day when calories from McDonald’s DON’T COUNT!

Today, $1 from every Big Mac sandwich, Happy Meal and hot McCafé beverage sold will go to local children’s charities such as Ronald McDonald Houses.

RMHC Canada is the national organization that supports Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms across the country, which provides families of sick children a home-away-from-home or a place of peace and calm within a hospital. McDonald’s Canada covers all of RMHC Canada’s administrative and operating costs, making it possible for 100 per cent of every directly donated dollar to go to Ronald McDonald Houses and their programs. For more information on RMHC Canada, visit: www.rmhc.ca.

(Good to know: McDonald’s Canada’s community involvement efforts are year long. Since 2004, the company has raised more than $36 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Canada by donating 10 cents from the sale of every Happy Meal.)

I was fortunate to attend the Grand Opening of the new Ronald McDonald House in Toronto last year. If you take away one thing from this post, hear this: the house is a sanctuary for families coping with a child’s illness. If you never walk through its doors, consider yourself blessed. And in the meantime, donate generously, please. Today, Canada’s Ronald McDonald Houses serve 10,000 families a year. By 2014, Canada’s Ronald McDonald Houses will serve 20,000 families a year.

And so on this guilt-free day, enjoy a Big Mac sandwich, Happy Meal and/or hot McCafé beverage!

Want to do more? Canadians can show their support of children in need and their families by texting MCHAPPY to 30333 to make a $5 donation to RMHC of Canada. A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill. One hundred per cent of the collected donations will go to RMHC of Canada.