Tag: Donate a Vehicle

Brene Brown – Empathy

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

Seasons, stressors, community

Brene Brown touches into something we deeply understand. Particularly at this time of year. 'Tis the season for a lot of holly jolly - and a good deal of facing into the loss of loved ones, loneliness, and "What do I really want?" uncertainty. If we're not already practicing it, this is a good time to start being an empathetic presence in one another's lives.

Brown and other mental health professionals and researchers are expanding their work into study around how we might thrive. Resilience work and positive psychology (more than just thinking positively) have found their way into practice, and that's good news for all of us.

Building our empathy muscle

A friend recently gave me the book, "There's no Good Card for This." For a gently playful smack upside the head on how-to empathy, this is a good resource. It provides the basics on caring for loved ones when things go side ways. Bonus? There's guidance on how to care for Self while compassionately supporting others.

If a book feels like a stretch, WikiHow has some excellent pointers on reaching out, and caring for self, too. In part one of their Wiki article, "Connecting with others through empathy," they offer six helpful and creative tools for moving from compassionate thought to loving action.

I particularly love part two, though: Building up your empathy. There they offer 7 ways to effectively and sustainably work this muscle. They suggest practicing curiosity, volunteering, and challenging your own prejudice. The challenge? Think outside of the box you've comfortably settled into. See the world from the perspective of your loved one, the stranger on the bus, your friend who's struggling. They go on to name things like meditation and actually attempting to walk a mile in another person's "shoes" (life experience).

We're in this together

Give Brene Brown a listen. Read Crowe/McDowell's book on empathy, or give that Wiki article a glance. Set yourself up to show yourself, and the people you care about, a little empathy this holiday season.

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Canadian Music Therapy Fund

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

Canadian Music Therapy Fund |Charity of the Month

The Canadian Music Therapy Fund (CMTF) wishes to create access to music therapy for all Canadians who need it.

They bring music therapy to rural, urban and remote communities. Their work brings music programs to people on the autism spectrum, and to those living with Alzheimer’s disease. Further, they engage those challenged by anxiety and depression. CMTF also reaches people rehabilitating speech or motor skills, as well as those needing pre- and post-natal care. And they don't stop there. Living with a brain injury? They can help!

Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund
Canadian Music Therapy Fund

CMTF does this by awarding grants, scholarships and fellowships to innovative certified music therapists. As a result, these therapist are then empowered! They use their talents and skill to make music therapy accessible close to home.

Work that matters

The Science is in: music therapy works. That said, music therapy is not a widely recognized form of therapy. Private insurance and government programs do not typically fund such care. This means that if you can't pay for it, you cannot access it.

Music therapy helps us to move and communicate. It helps us to cope, and to better understand ourselves. It can even inspire us to reach our full potential. CMTF wants to make music therapy available to anyone who needs it.

Together, they are transforming lives. With your support, access to music therapy for all Canadians is possible!

Help the CMTF hit the high notes

Donate your car through our program today and choose our charity of the month as your donation recipient!

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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 gift in April. They are one of over 200 groups 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. They learn 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 family.

Bereavement Program provides counselling support after a death to normalize grief. It encourages emotional expression, provides helpful coping strategies, and supports 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 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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Minivan Donations Make Maximum Impact

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Making a Difference
As a family of five, we've been the lucky owners of several minivan models over the past 20 years. Our trusty Voyager did time with us in Fort St. John, BC (square tires and all). She saw us through the arrival of all three of our kiddos. Continue reading "Minivan Donations Make Maximum Impact" →

Movember | Donate a Car Canada Charities for the Cause

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Making a Difference, You and Your Health
Movember has arrived, and the men you care about are experimenting with various new looks to support the cause. Several of our receiving charities are linked to the movement as partners, too.  Continue reading "Movember | Donate a Car Canada Charities for the Cause" →

Are Winter Tires For You?

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Knowing the Industry, You and Your Health
Winter Tires Is it important to buy winter tires? We Albertans get a little spoiled each Winter: even our worst winter seasons come with Chinook winds. We often enjoy long stretches of relatively mild temperatures. As a result, my family has never bothered to swap out our all-seasons for winter tires. Continue reading "Are Winter Tires For You?" →

Tony’s Story | A Legacy Gift for Big Brothers, Big Sisters

Posted by Sandra on in Making a Difference
Maria. How this devoted mother’s sweetness of spirit reflects the legacy of her  son! Maria came to Donate a Car Canada in the midst of processing profound  grief. She came in a time when sorting through a few personal belongings takes fierce courage and willful determination.  Continue reading "Tony’s Story | A Legacy Gift for Big Brothers, Big Sisters" →

Canadian Diabetes

Posted by Sandra on in Making a Difference
Canadian Diabetes"I'd like to remain anonymous, if I could?" Our Canadian Diabetes Association and AARCS donor, Connor, voiced a preference often repeated by our vehicle donors. Donate a Car Canada has changed his name to honor his request. His kindness and good humor come through nonetheless.  He has submitted 3 vehicles for donation since he first discovered our program in 2012! Continue reading "Canadian Diabetes" →