100 Women Who Care

I picked up the local paper a few weeks ago and on the front page found an article about 100 Victoria women.
This group of women meets four times a year and each woman writes a cheque for $100 to a local charity.  They can submit their choice of charity and three names are drawn.   They then vote on which charity will receive the money.
What a wonderful surprise it must be for the charity to unexpectedly receive such a windfall!  In return, the charity gives each donor a tax receipt so it is win win for everyone!

One aspect of this that I admire is the opportunity for some of the lesser known non-profit groups out there, to be helped in such a great way.   The big well known charities with big advertising budgets usually get most of the corporate and general public's donations.  This way the little, just as  worthwhile, not as well known, struggling organizations  have a bit of help in continuing their valuable work. 

So to the 100 (and more) women I say well done and thank-you for making the world a nicer place to live.

Moving Day

 I've had a message from a woman who would like me to mention her wonderful new neighbours.  She and her husband had just moved to Sooke, B.C. and moving day was hectic as moving days can be.  At the end of their busy day people across the street  called across to them  and said the Pizza truck was arriving shortly.  Would they like to come over for pizza.   Since they had stopped for dinner on one of the moving trips they said "no, but  thanks".  The people called back "Well the cold drink truck is arriving too, come on over".   So they did and had a wonderful evening making new friends.  They felt very nicely welcomed to their new home! She passed on the "Nicer Place" that someone had given her several months earlier.  Now she would like me to send her some more.           I will.

A Gift For The Greater Victoria Police Chorus

For 27 years I've been volunteering with The Greater Victoria Police Chorus.   I've been with them while they traveled and performed fun, entertaining concerts and assisted  many charities with fundraising.    All the members volunteer  many hours of their time every week as they work hard together to keep the Chorus functioning.
However there is one Chorus member who has gone   "above and beyond the call of duty".  Allan Millham felt that the Chorus should have a DVD video.   We've recorded many CD's in the past but a never a DVD video.  Over a year ago, on his own,  he started to arrange all that is needed to develop a video: the recording crews, searching for correct publishers of the songs, licensing, permits, video  and recording session locations, a graphic artist and printers.  It is similar to herding cats!  He has put much of his personal life on hold and donated  an unmeasurable amount of his time and his money to give the Chorus a very special gift.  His thoughtfulness, caring  and hard work truly does make the world "A Nicer Place".  Thanks Allan.

Random Acts of Kindness

I'm sure we've all heard of the  dangerous drinking game that is damaging foolish young people around the world right now.  They binge drink until they are acting stupid then nominate others, by name in some cases, to do the same.   Sadly, they are not only damaging their health but reputations as well by posting it for the world to see.  Boasting about stupidity is a strange thing to do, I'd think.

However, it is wonderful to see that some of the more intelligent young people have developed another game.  It started in South Africa by a man who refused to play.  Instead he performed a random act of kindness then nominated  others to do the same and post it as well.

In Victoria, Spectrum School students have responded.  They are giving their time and spending their own money to perform random acts of kindness.  Happily it is spreading just like the flowers in the photo!

I like to think these are the people who will be looking after our future  and I send my thanks to them for making the world "a nicer place"  to live.