From left to right: Ciara O’Connell, My Friends House, Sandra Sullivan, Hospice Georgian Triangle, Rebecca Micallef, YMCA, Simcoe Muskoka, Pamela Osmond, Home Horizon Barbara Weider House, Alison Smith, CGMH Foundation.
The Collingwood G&M Hospital Foundation is one of many local charities shifting communication channels as the postal strike looks set to impact their end-of-year fundraising goals. Each year, the Foundation raises roughly $4 million for critical equipment, and most of that giving takes place around the holidays.
“Our Tree of Life campaign is an annual end-of-year campaign that reaches households through direct mail, encouraging our community to give,” says Alison Smith, Director of Communication “we rely heavily on these donations to fund critical equipment needs and now we are facing a real risk of not getting our message heard and not receiving those gifts.”
This year, thousands of households were expected to receive a personal letter from Dr. Michael Lisi, Chief of Staff at CGMH, explaining the need for a new Mammography Unit and the importance of upgraded equipment with more advanced technology. CGMH’s current unit was installed in 2014 and has reached the end of its useful lifespan. The Ontario government is expanding the Ontario Breast Screening Program to include women that are 40 years of age and older, an important step forward in ensuring that more women can access breast cancer screening services. Breast cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in Canada, affecting 1 in 8 women. A gift towards a new Mammography Unit will help CGMH keep up with the demand and to ensure that every woman in our community has access to the very best in breast cancer screening and care. Please give at cgmhf.com.
CGMH Foundation is only one of many charities in the community that rely on holiday campaigns. Donors who typically mail in cheques or cash are encouraged to get in touch with the charities they typically support. Most organizations will accept payments over the phone or offer an online donation form.
Both Hospice Georgian Triangle and Home Horizon’s Barbara Weider House are running matching campaigns, to double the impact of gifts made at this time of year.
From now until November 30, gifts to Hospice Georgian Triangle will be matched up to $10,000 by Crozier Consulting Engineers to provide compassionate care at Campbell House and in the community for individuals with life-limiting illnesses or in their last stages of life.
Every dollar donated to Home Horizon’s Barbara Weider House will be doubled from now until January 31, 2025; making real change in our community and helping vulnerable youth transform their lives and move forward with their hopes, dreams and life opportunities.
“Our Courage Campaign” raises awareness for My Friend’s House and their work to eliminate violence against women. Gender-based violence is on the rise in our community – and they need your support now more than ever. Help continue to provide vital programs and services for women and children fleeing violence in South Georgian Bay. Please give today: myfriendshouse.ca/champion-of-courage/
At the Georgian Triangle Humane Society (GTHS), second chances are started. Every pet deserves a second chance to find hope, healing, and a loving home. By supporting the programs and services of the GTHS, you provide the critical care and resources needed to help vulnerable animals begin their journey to a brighter future. This holiday season, help make second chances possible – be the lifeline for pets in need by donating today.
Habitat for Humanity Huronia where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Donate online at www.habitathuronia.com and help families like Sarah, Mike, Poppy and Olive who are excited and grateful to have a place to call their own home.
As a charity, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka addresses some of our most pressing social issues, from chronic disease to social isolation, poverty, and inequality. When you give to the YMCA, they can help people of all ages, stages, and backgrounds uncover their potential, so everyone in our community can thrive.
The Escarpment Corridor Alliance runs a holiday campaign to support locally focused conservation efforts to protect and connect nature along the Niagara Escarpment of South Georgian Bay.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Grey Bruce and West Simcoe is launching our Holiday Give with Three Ways to Care:
1. Giving-Tree Campaign
Visit ‘Forever Run Wild’ in Collingwood, ‘barebirch’ in Owen Sound or ‘Casual Corners’ in Port Elgin, and view our giving trees. Purchase a personal gift for a local child and drop it off at any store location! Let the Big Brothers Big Sisters elves do the rest!
2. Little-North-Pole Card Drive
Make or purchase a holiday card, include a gift card or gift certificate, mail your card to the Big Brothers Big Sisters ‘Little-North-Pole’ (office) and support a family in need this holiday season.
3. Snowflake Giving
Every snowflake counts! Make a holiday donation directly to any Big Brothers Big Sisters program and help ensure local children, youth & families are supported all year round.
Online donations can be directed here: greybruce.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/donate/
“If you are someone that typically receives a letter and sends your gift by mail, we ask that you check in with your local charities and consider making your donation online or by calling direct, these organizations serve the vital needs of our community. And we cannot afford to wait.”
– Alison Smith, Director of Operations and Communications for the CGMH Foundation.
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