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| A Personal Networking Note from Christel.... January 9, 2009 |
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Living "Givers Gain"! BNI Members across the Golden Horseshoe give back - BIG TIME - this holiday season! From across the region we're hearing remarkable stories about how members have joined together to make the holidays special for people in need.
Chapter: Champagne BNI, St. Catharines, Ontario
President: Vern Furtney A few years ago, we gave our first donation to NYC and Red Cross. We have since given to local charities each year - usually Women's Place of St Catharines - a shelter for abused and battered women. Last week we donated $500 to Women's Place through my wife's workplace, where the company generously matches donations dollar for dollar... thus the total donation was $1000. We also donated another $500 to Community Care - a food and clothing bank for the needy. Chapter: Building BNI Business Alliances, Burlington, Ontario President: Jeanne Albert-Cheng Our chapter collectively got involved about 3 years ago when one of our members was "Secret Santa" for a young child living with Mom in a shelter. Members also wanted to help - and it has blossomed from there. This year we sponsored two special Salvation Army families in need. The first family's single Mom has special needs. There are also 2 children. The second family is a Mom staying with a friend with her 4 children. Our donations, in gifts and gift cards exceeded $1000 per family. Chapter: Referral Madness BNI, Burlington, Ontario President: Barb Guilfoyle Referral Madness collected non-perishable food for the food bank this Christmas. Chapter: RBG Professionals BNI, Burlington, Ontario President: David Bradley Our chapter held a food drive at an early December meeting. Chapter: Competitive Edge BNI, Burlington, Ontario President: Mary McFarlane We are donated the cash proceeds of our Christmas party fundraiser to the food bank.
Chapter: BNI B2B Strategic Partners, Mississauga, Ontario President: Judi Johnstone We've given to four charities this year and also donated food to a local food bank. Members decided that even though there are only 3 meeting dates in December, we would not reduce our monthly meeting room fees. Instead, we would take the funds and divide it equally among four charities selected by the members. One of the suggestions was to give money to a food bank. At our last meeting it was decided that we would hold a food drive at our next meeting, and donate the food collected to a local food bank. This would enable us to select a fifth charity to donate a portion of the funds. Chapter: BNI Business Builders, Brampton, Ontario President: Stephanie Gemmell Stephanie Gemmell, President of BNI Business Builders, Brampton is again this fall collecting new and gently used winter coats for distribution to the less fortunate in Brampton. The Winter Coats for Children Project has a goal to reach, meeting the needs of all children in Brampton, ensuring them warm clothing for winter. We distribute a coat, snow pants, boots, mitts and a hat to any child at no cost to the parent. Parents must bring their child with them. Last year we learned that socks were in high demand to fill these boots. The projects director, Jo-Ann Studholme, along with the BNI Brampton Business Builders, have been working together towards achieving this goal. We have already fitted 200 children since the first week of November. The Winter Coats for Children Project store is located at the Brampton Mall. We do ask the parent for a cash donation, a loonie or toonie, wha tever they can afford. Maryellen Vandenbrink of the BNI Business Builders, Brampton has partnered with GNLD International to make a difference in the lives of families this holiday season and bring a smile to someone less fortunate. Last year we were able to help 5 families that would not have had Christmas without our help. This year our goal is 6 families. We will be providing Christmas dinner with all the fixins as well as a grocery hamper and gifts for the parents and children. We collect clothes, toys and canned food for the families. The members of the BNI chapter have been very generous and helped us reach our goals. It is amazing to see the gratitude of the families receiving the donation. Many of the moms have commented that if it wasn't for our donations they would have nothing to give their children for Christmas and they are now excited about Christmas. It gives them hope and we have see n over the years that it helps them to realize that people really do care. Chapter: The Bay Area, Hamilton, Ontario President: Mark Giavedoni This year, our chapter donated $1000 to Hamilton Neighbour to Neighbour. |
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