CREATIVITY

August 27th, 2016 - The Social

The idea came from my sisters who wished to hold a social for me to help give back to the amazing organization that is, CancerCare Manitoba. Designing this social took a boatload of work from my entire family and many friends who helped us pull it off. Held at Falcon Lake, our summer home, the local community club was generous enough to let us use the club rent-free, the DJ volunteered his time and equipment, and many people volunteered during the night to complete various tasks. The community support at Falcon Lake was overwhelming and we raised a total of $7158 for CancerCare. I decided to direct these funds to the General Funds pool. I waffled between pediatrics and ovarian cancers but I know that money is already poured into pediatrics like no tomorrow. General funds are used immediately for various things such as: equipment and supply replacement, repairs, treatment, etc. the money we raised was to be used for anything that was needed right away. It is for that reason that I chose to direct it there, as I wanted our efforts to take effect quickly.

My siblings and I with the decor.

An Instagram post from CCMB (that I couldn't crop) of my parents and I handing in the money to CCMB Foundation.

My dad and my sister and I to an extreme lesser extent asked the local businesses for raffle donations and everyone was super generous. Among many items, we received a signed Jets jersey. We were at the community club during the event all night. My mum and I collected tickets at the door and I stayed out of the actual party because I wasn’t eighteen. It was a very successful event and my whole family came out to support it and help. I never expected my siblings to want to hold a fundraiser in my honour so it made me feel really grateful to have them. Our goal was tp raise $5000 but we thought it might not happen because it was quite late in the summer and not all of the tickets were sold. Discovering the final tally was an amazing surprise because profits were above and beyond what we thought possible. We threw the social together very quickly, without really knowing what we were doing too. Our raffle and grand prizes were very good so people went crazy with those. I think people partying at socials are fine with spending money when it’s for a good cause (and they’re drinking alcohol). Since cancer is so common, most everyone knows someone who’s affected by it. I unexpectedly met someone there who was a survivor and was once involved in a teen group I am now a part of. He was so kind and wanted to help in any way he could, though we didn’t know each other. That’s the type of thing that reminds me of the good in the world. Kindness truly does radiate.