Queen Elizabeth II | Honouring a lifetime of service

Whatever your relationship with the monarchy, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II invites a pause. Speaking for myself, committing to dutiful service for 70 years seems a bit of a wonder! I have feelings about colonization (so many feelings!), and could probably hammer on about that awhile. But Queen Elizabeth II the woman? I have not known life without her.

By the time I was born she had already been faithfully attending her role as queen for 17 years. She and her family are the closest thing to a real, live fairytale that I will ever know. Her face graced our money and her addresses our airwaves. Most recently, her story has given hours of curious entertainment through documentaries and Netflix series alike.

Acknowledging a life through giving

Grief is a cheeky and varied thing. Some of us will experience the Queen’s passing with sorrow. I keep hearing, “She was like a mum!”, or “It just always kind of felt like she was my grandma!” We related to her in a strangely personal way.

Some of us might feel angry at the disruption of fuss and bother about a woman so far removed from our lived experience.

For others, there will be a feeling of nostalgia. Perhaps a sadness at the loss of yet another stabilizing factor in a world that feels as if its gone mad.

Interacting with these things is helped by action: mourners hold vigil for loving reason. We have funerals and spread ashes because our humanity asks for ritual around these kinds of things.

The ritual of giving is a bit new in our culture: children request that donations be made to the animal shelter in lieu of gifts. Newly weds invite us to give to a wilderness preserve instead of piling on the pots and pans. When Betty White passed, it felt like the whole world was right in tune with saving puppies! This was an active and loving way to feel a part of celebrating and mourning an intelligent-generative sprite of a woman! And mirroring Queen Elizabeth II’s habit of giving is one way to be with her passing, too.

Who do I give to, and how do I do it?

A beautiful article about the Queen’s giving notes that she gifted over 600 different charities during her reign! “Her support over the decades — to groups that focus on education and training, climate campaigns, hospitals and museums — has helped raise over $2 billion for nonprofits and has been described as having done more for charities than any other monarch in history, data collected by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) noted.”

Here at Donate a Car Canada we have a charity for every cause you can imagine! Check out our list to find your own heartwork. We are set up to serve any charity in Canada, so if you do not see yours listed, just let us know! Experience the grounding and connection that comes with honouring legacy and life through giving.

The “How?” is as easy as 1-2-3! Click on the big red button below. That will take you to a donation form (this will take less than 10 minutes to fill out). If you would like to hear a human voice, give us a call at 1-877-250-4904! We will be delighted to assist.

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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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Distress Centres connect us

When senseless acts impact an entire community, there are only two things that matter. Looking after each other and looking after ourselves. In times of duress it can be difficult to ask or reach out for help but there are many support services in place across the country to help when we need it. None of us can manage entirely on our own. We are created for connectedness and community.

When friends or loved ones need our tender understanding and gentle care, it can be immobilizing because sometimes we just don’t know what to say or do in these situations. This article has some really good tips – 11 Things to Do When You’re Not Sure What to Do.

Distress Centres in Canada need your vehicle donation!

Because we are a service to donors and charities, Donate A Car Canada is able to provide funding to any Canadian charity. This includes crisis and counselling centres. We are so grateful for the opportunity to aid such crucial causes, and encourage anyone facing life’s challenges to seek the care that can walk you through the healing process.

Please consider choosing one of our distress centres or community relief organizations as your Charity of Choice when you submit your vehicle for donation.

Also remember that your donation, regardless of the amount, changes lives.

The post When Tragedy Strikes: Distress Centres Help appeared first on Donate A Car.