Making a Difference

Kindness Matters

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Making a Difference

Is kindness uncommon?

“When one reaches out to help another he touches the face of God.” – Walt Whitman 

Your kindness counts

Henri Nouwen says, "...our faithfulness to a small task is the most healing response to the illnesses of our time." Kindness matters, and your efforts in the smallest expressions of that goodness can have large effect.

Take a little minute and consider the nature of the acts of kindness that have most put air in your own lungs. Was it a break, a smile, a compliment, a hand up, or a hard-earned treat? Whatever it was, it probably didn't cost the giver much, and it made a difference to your day. What was it like for you to be the recipient? And did you go on to be a giver of the same?

Benefits to bein' nice

Psychology Today notes, "A recent study, Kindness Counts, conducted by researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of California, Riverside, broke new ground by showing the benefits derived by tweens when they were taught happiness-increasing strategies.

For a month, several hundred 9-11 year-olds performed and recorded three acts of kindness each week for anyone they wished. Another several hundred kept track of three pleasant places they visited during the week.

Not surprisingly, the results were consistent with adult studies. When kids performed acts of kindness or took notice of the pleasant places they visited during the week, they significantly increased feelings of happiness and satisfaction.

But those who performed acts of kindness received an additional benefit.  Measuring how well children were liked or accepted by their peers, the study showed those who performed acts of kindness gained an average of 1.5 friends during the four-week period – good support for the idea that 'nice guys finish first.'" (Acts of Kindness: Key to Happiness for Children & Teens)

Three acts of kindness each week? 'Sounds do-able! Let's take up that challenge and make a difference.

flipping4charity

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Making a Difference, You and Your Health

What Six Pack is up to

Lapadat's daily car flip challenge is trackable via our Donate a Car Canada Twitter likes. 'Good days, or tough days, Ryan is working hard for a wide variety of Canadian charities.

Learn more about Ryan, his vision and mission, and just how much he's already tackled (and flipped) in his career, so far. Check him out at The Great Canadian Bucket List. This guy is committed to his craft and to caring for Canadians in larger-than-life ways.

Charities

Over 100 of our receiving charities are being spotlighted in Ryan's ambitious endeavor. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is in his sights. BBBS is changing lives by investing time and mentoring resources into the lives of Canadian young people. "Changing the course of young lives changes the future of communities. By every measure, BBBS returns positive results in the mental health, employment and civic engagement" of the recipients of their programs.

How to give

Follow and share Ryan "Six Pack" Lapadat's power lifting, flipping4charity efforts on Twitter. Explore ways to give to the charities that he's championing. Volunteer, offer gifts-in-kind, donate cool cash, or donate your vehicle. Every gift counts!

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Car Flipping for Charity

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Making a Difference

We're just days away from Donate a Car Canada's biggest charity spotlight event ever! On July 1st, Ryan "Six Pack" Lapadat begins his powerhouse efforts to bring car flipping awareness to over 100 Canadian charities in 143 days.

The man

The plan

So, what exactly is Ryan getting himself up to for charity this time 'round? He's flipping a car, of course!

Starting on July 1st, Six Pack is planning to flip a car, every day, for almost 150 days. We'll be tracking him online and collaborating with him in giving shout-outs to our charities. Watch for our blog posts, Tweets, and Facebook updates to see where Ryan is and what he's up to on any given day.

Some of our charities are excited to be planning special events around Lapadat's feats of strength. Stay tuned for more information about where he's been and who has been helped by his unique skills.

And how you can be involved

Keeping an eye out for Six Pack's daily charity boosts will be an easy and exciting way to get a quick peek at what some of Canada is about charity-wise. You'll see many children's charities spotlighted (Ryan's personal mission is to see kids inspired to greatness). Many of our health-related charities will also be getting some attention via his car-flipping mastery.

No funds are being directly raised by Ryan or Donate a Car through this venture. Our deserving charities will receive some much-needed exposure through these events. Further, folks interested in donating to charity will be presented with some of their many Canadian options.

'Ready to donate today? Just click here...

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The Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Making a Difference, You and Your Health

We're excited to announce that the Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation has received their first vehicle donation through Donate a Car. They are all set with our program and ready to receive your vehicle donation, too. First Time Donation

First time donation

$120.00 is to be forwarded to the charity as their start-up gift
thanks to a generous donor.

Different factors impact how a donation outcome is set. First, each vehicle donated through our program is individually assessed for either recycle or re-sale value. A car or truck may be deemed recycle-ready by our regional agents. In this case a flat rate donation outcome is set by the agent. Whenever possible, a vehicle is re-sold at auction for a higher donation return. The car is sold as-is to the highest bidder. In either the case, the net proceeds from the sale are forwarded on to the donor's charity of choice.

What is JMMF all about?

The Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation is a society that does not tolerate domestic violence. They are a community that brings safety and hope to vulnerable individuals and families.

JMMF strives to remove the stigma associated with domestic violence through community engagement, awareness, prevention and education.  They seek to empower individuals to live a life free of violence.

Where you can find them

Statistics Canada's 2006 numbers on domestic abuse are troubling:

Between 1999 and 2004, 7 percent percent of Canadian women reported being abused by their intimate partner. Furthermore, 9 percent of women under the age of 25 years reported sexual assault or criminal harassment in 2004. Shockingly, 21 percent of abused women were assaulted during pregnancy. At 24 percent of Aboriginal women in Canada reporting abuse, violent acts against indigenous women are startlingly high.

One in five homicides involves the killing of an intimate partner.

These are some of the stats behind the need for a charity like the JMMF. To learn more about Jessica's story and how you can be part of the solution to this complex issue visit the charity site.

How you can help

Donating a car may be well out of the question right now. Would you like to volunteer time instead? Here are some JMMF options:

Third Party Fundraisers
You take the reigns and organize an event to support us!  You’ll raise funds and awareness while building a community that brings safety and hope to vulnerable individuals. Learn more.

Board and Committees:
Board and Committee members help us achieve specific goals and objectives.  (fundraising, outreach, etc.)
Board and Committee Application Form (2018)

Project Volunteer:
Do you have a special skill or talent you’d like to share with our organization?  Graphic Design? Photography?
Let us know and we will work with you to create a meaningful position or project.

Contact:
Teena Hughson, B.A.
Community Engagement Coordinator
587-879-5465
teena@jessicamartelmemorialfoundation.com

Financial gifts are always welcome, and if you'd like to learn more about car donation, just click on the big red button below.

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Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Making a Difference

Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary serves to rehabilitate and re-home wolfdogs.

Who, what, and why?

Yamnuska wants to "...encourage fellow passionate wolfdog lovers to take action for responsible wolfdog ownership." They also advocate for wild wolf protection.

Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary currently has 25 permanent wolfdogs. They also care for 10 ambassador wolfdogs, and any number of wolfdogs available for adoption.

Their wolfdog ambassadors are the wolfdogs that take front and center stage at events and sanctuary interactions. These animals help educate the public about wolfdogs and the importance of wolf conservation.

Book a wolfdog visit

Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary offers a variety of tours to the public. These tours educate the public on wolfdogs and raise awareness regarding wolf conservation. All proceeds from the tours directly fund the sanctuary and its continued rescue efforts.

Ready to help this cause?

Thanks to the donations they receive, Yamnuska is able to carry out rescue missions. As with the Milk River Wolfdog Rescue, they ensure wolfdogs the care they need to be rehabilitated and rehomed.

Every donation helps feed, care for, transport, and rehome an adoptable wolfdog. Or, it gives a high-content wolfdog a permanent home at the sanctuary. Monetary donations are gratefully accepted, but they do also accept material goods donations. Check out their Donation List for items they are currently in need of. Other ways to donate include Donate A Car, sending an E-transfer donating via Paypal. 

Stay connected to Yamnuska

Looking for a take-a-pause regular glimpse at the majesty and sweetness of these rare animals? Or would you like to hear the contented howl or playful scrabblings of the 'dogs? Follow YWS on Facebook.

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Ryan “Six Pack” Lapadat

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Knowing the Industry, Making a Difference

Lapadat - a real-life Canadian hero. Donate a Car Canada is excited to be working alongside Ryan in an upcoming (heavyweight!) fundraising effort.

Who is the man behind, in front of, and beneath the weights? And what does he have in store for Canadian charities? Stay with us in the weeks ahead to learn more.

Continue reading "Ryan “Six Pack” Lapadat" →

Farming Smarter

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Knowing the Industry, Making a Difference, You and Your Health
Farming Smarter

Farming Smarter aims to
sustain our land, water, soil, and farmers for the benefit of everyone.

Farming Smarter is growing stewardship

Farming Smarter makes a commitment to foster sustainable farming practices. For example, wherever they can, they will partner, research, inform, and support cost effective projects that are good for the land, air, water and crops.

Currently working in Southern Alberta, their Innovative Projects include:

  • Deep banding immobile nutrients
  • High value specialty crops
  • Precision planting canola
  • Cover crops across Prairie Canada
  • Alternative flee beetle management without neonicotinoids. What is a flee beetle? And why do they matter? Here's what the FS site has to say:
    Flea beetles are one of the major canola pests in Alberta. Currently neonicotinoid-based seed treatments are often used to protect canola seedlings from flea beetle damage. PMRA's recommendation to phase out the use of neonicotinoids has caused concern for growers. Without these seed treatments different control mechanisms must be considered by growers. These may be alternate seed treatment, increased seeding rates, or foliar insecticides. These activities may have negative environmental consequences. Furthermore, they may be less effective than current strategies and they will incur increased production costs

Curious? Check out their summer events:

Farming Smarter invites you to a summer of field school and "plot hops." You may also want to explore their farm days and conference options.

Interested in other projects they've researched? Visit their site and explore:

Why donate to this charity?

Many people don’t realize that F.S. is a registered Canadian charity. They are a non-profit association funded by grants, sponsorship, and donations.  Above all, money donated to them stays in southern Alberta and funds locally directed agriculture focused research.
Your donation to this work, for example, could help them do your most critical agricultural research.

In short, if this resonates with your own values and concerns, we can help!

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Dr. Jay’s Children’s Grief Society

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Making a Difference, You and Your Health

Dr. Jay’s Children’s Grief Society received a strong donation in April. They are one of over 200 organizations to receive Donate a Car Canada gifts this month.

Dr. Jay’s Children’s Grief Society helping children grieve

Talking about taboo topics

Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Program's heart message is that children do not need to grieve alone.

This one-of-a-kind charity provides a free service of grief counselling to dying children and to children whose parent or sibling is dying. Caregivers, medical professionals, families and children can receive training to deal with grief, dying and the healing process.

Services at the centre

The Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Centre provides free counselling services to children and youth who have experienced (or are currently experiencing) a terminal illness and/or death, personally or in their immediate family.

Bereavement Program provides counselling support after a death to normalize grief, encourage emotional expression, provide helpful coping strategies, and support enduring bonds.

Youth Support Program for bereaved youth is for kids between the ages of 13 and 18. The program creates a supportive environment. Grieving adolescents have the opportunity to connect with same-aged peers through art, music, drama, and sport.

Family Support Program focuses on supporting families who have experienced the death of a family member.

Camp Erin Toronto is a 3-day bereavement camp program in Muskoka for children and youth aged 6-17. Camp Erin is free and is open to any child who has experienced the death of an immediate family member or custodial caregiver.

Where your giving goes

Dr. Jay Children's Grief Centre does not receive any government funding, and our gifts are critical. Their counseling program is in high demand and their need of ongoing funding is high.

Through the generosity of people like you, their work has made a difference in the lives of countless children, youth and families who are living with terminal illness, traumatic loss and grief. Your gift to the Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Centre helps to ensure that grieving families have access to the innovative and specialized support they need. They also mean that this support can be accessed when they need it most.

A unique giving opportunity

If this cause speaks to you, but you aren't in a position to donate a vehicle at this time, consider ECHOAGE. If you're planning a birthday party, wedding, or some such event, you can invite your guests to make a donation to the grief centre when they respond to your invitation. You'll find this link right on the charity donation page on their website.

Your donation-ready vehicle will make a difference, too! Click below and we'll get you started on your donation process.

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Vehicle Donation in Canada

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Knowing the Industry, Making a Difference

Vehicle donation in Canada should be a simple and cost-free process. As the donor, you have several donating options. Check your options carefully - not all donation programs are equal in integrity or service. Donate a Car Canada is all-Canadian, providing over 800 charities to choose from. 'Have a cause you love? We can process your car, truck, and (seasonally) motorcycle. For free! The net sale proceeds will go to your charity of choice.

How this works

The simplest way to proceed with your vehicle donation is to click any of the pick n pull buttons on our webpage. That click will take you to an online form for your donation. The form is simple to understand, and it only asks for information we really need to process your car or truck promptly.

Not having success with the online form? No problem! Give us a direct call at 1-877-250-4904. Our phone team will be happy to talk with you. They'll walk you through the form if you like, but will also be happy to just fill it all out for you.

Done that step? Leave it to us. We'll contact a nearby towing company and arrange for your free and timely pick-up. Don't worry: no one will show up for the vehicle until they've called to arrange best timing with you.

The tow guys will come for your auto, process it, and send us payment. The dollar outcome is subject to (always!) fluctuating metal prices in Canada. Once we have payment from our tow agent, we'll forward the proceeds on to your charity.

What does the charity have to pay?

Not a thing! We have written agreements with our supported charities that they will issue tax receipts in a prompt manner. Apart from that, the work is all taken care of by us here at DACC. Many of our charities receive thousands of dollars each year; some of the lesser-known organizations would be grateful for a little extra from you!

The difference you make

Vehicle donation in Canada has a multi-layer impact. First, it allows you to have a recycle or re-sale ready vehicle picked-up and processed at no cost to you. But the benefits don't end there. The charity of your choice will certainly benefit. And so will the environment (clean, thorough recycling practices matter). The longer reach? Many of our supporting tow agents are small, local companies: keeping wheels on the ground with a steady stream of work matters, too.

So, give us a click and let us get you on your way with your vehicle donation today!