At this time of year it feels extra important to give back to the community – that’s why a group of us decided to volunteer for the YWCA Pape Apartments Holiday dinner – a recent GenNext appointment that was sponsored and hosted by Calvary Church. A few of us had done a similar event last year – and were looking forward to the evening.

We arrived at 4:30 and were greeted by a wonderful group of women who were responsible for organizing the dinner for a local Women’s residence. When we arrived they gave us a tour of all the great crafts they had planned for the children at the event. There was button making, colouring, tattoos (temporary of course), and a greeting card designing station. Our job was to ‘play’ at the stations with the children….hardly a job at all!

At 6:00pm as our ‘station’ filled with little voices we lost count of the number of children in attendance – all of whom were ready to have fun before dinner.

The dinner was catered by the nearby senior’s lodge – we were invited to sit as guests - it was a wonderful meal and from all the chatter coming from the tables the company was just as good.

At the end of the night as we packed up and got ready to go home, it felt like we’d spent a great night with great people – and not like we’d been working at all. 

Looking to flex your philanthropy muscles while partying the night away? Here's your chance!

ROUGE is a RED HOT night you won't want to miss!

Indulge your mysterious side at GenNext Toronto's Signature Event ROUGE Masquerade.

Held in the unbelievable Grand Banking Hall at One King West Hotel & Residence, and hosted by eTalk's Lainey Gossip - this year is not to bemissed! 

Dress toImpress, but a touch of Red is essential! Pick up a mask ahead of time or grab one of the amazing ones available at the event. The evening will be peppered with amazing entertainers, an incredible Silent Auction, and a chance to satisfy your philanthropic side while partying the night away - all for only $35!

Tickets available now!

www.unitedwaytoronto.com/ROUGE

As with every weather change throughout the year, I marvel at the wonder of nature to produce such a unique and varied feel with each season. When fall arrives with the brilliant foliage and the cold, crisp mornings, I always have a sense of renewal. It's not the same hope that spring brings, but rather the sense that an old friend has come back to check in and spend some quality time.

Perhaps it's because we celebrate Thanksgiving in this season that I am especially fond of it - it somehow doesn't seem so hokey to wax eloquent about all the things you are thankful for when the season ofstuffed turkeys and pumpkin pies is upon us!

For the last few years, I have been involved in the United Way - and of course, with autumn comes Campaign Season. This is the time of year that folks are out drumming up support for the United Way by encouraging people to participate in their workplace campaigns, join in at United Way events big (like the CN Tower stair climb) and small (like an agency tour) and donate their time and money to the organization. It seems fitting to me to have the United Way campaign in a season where folks are actively thinking about those things they are fortunate for.

I care about this city, I care about my community, and I care about the people who live their lives here. At the same time, I am thankful to have this city and community to care about, and to be one of the people who has a good life in the city of Toronto. I feel that giving to the United Way - of my time and my financial resources - is a good way of celebrating my gratitude to my city for giving me what I have, and for allowing me to thrive as a person.

This year, maybe you want to show that you give a damnduring this time of thanksgiving - call up a senior for a visit, donate to yourlocal food bank, or participate in a meal at a shelter. Giving a damn meansgiving back, and showing your gratitude for what you have year round - but isespecially important at this time of year. 

So a few days ago the UN came out with the results of the new “UN development Index” and our great country came in fourth, and in Mercer’s 2009 Quality of Living Survey we placed 15th out of 215 global cities for the fourth year in a row. Sounds great, right? Well, how does Toronto itself stack up to the rest of the country and other global cities for that matter?

Unfortunately, according to stats cited in Toronto Community Foundation’s newest “Toronto’s Vital Signs 2009 report”, Toronto is rated ‘seriously unaffordable’, ranking 190th internationally, and 29th in Canada, with median housing prices 4.8 times median household incomes. We are also in a country that ranks last among 14 western nations in spending on early learning,childcare, and kindergarten programs. Layer those stats with the research United Way Toronto has done in “Losing Ground” (2007 report) and you will see that we are losing the battle in the City of Toronto.

In comparing the downtowncore to suburban areas such as the 905, median family incomes are lower and the cost of living is higher. It’s no wonder that my friends who have married and had kids live in the eastern ‘boonies’ of Markham … a long drive up the 401 and across the 407 away from the downtown core. How can you afford a decently sized house otherwise!? I love living downtown... near my office, the arts, great restaurants, and walking distance to everywhere, but I really question what this city might be like by the time I’m ready to have kids. The stats are deteriorating rapidly and I’m just wondering when the government will wake up and put a proper poverty reduction plan into effect. I don’t know about you but I’m NOT fond of the idea of living in the burbs. 

Below are volunteer opportunities that are available at some of United Way Toronto’s member agencies. If you’re interested, please contact the person indicated.

HINCKS DELLCREST CENTRE – Carlton & Parliament

Opportunity:  Gardening Program Assistant. The volunteer will have fun interacting with children and families while teaching and demonstrating gardening. The volunteer assists staff in running this program for families in the neighbourhood and uses their knowledge and experience to assist families in learning about gardening. The program runs Saturdays from May 1 to August 30 from 1:00 to 4:00pm. Beginning indoors with facility tours at Allan Gardens, real gardening will take place outdoors when the weather warms up.

Contact:  Sue Lam, Volunteer Coordinator

Phone:  416-633-0515 ext 111

Email:  slam@hincksdellcrest.org

WEST TORONTO SERVICES FOR SENIORS – Bloor & Lansdowne

Opportunity:  Cyclists for Meals on 2Wheelers. West Toronto Support for Seniors needs Meals on Wheels volunteers to ride hot meals to seniors in the Bloor Lansdowne neighbourhood. Cyclists must be available to deliver meals Monday to Friday between 10:30am and 12:00pm. Routes take approximately 45 minutess to complete and can be adjusted based on skill and fitness level. Meals on 2Wheelers requires you to have a bike (a trailer can be provided).

Contact:  Joanne Alfonsi, Volunteer Coordinator

Phone:  416-653-3535 ext 247

Email:  Jalfonsi@wtss.org

DAVENPORT-PERTH NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE – Davenport & Ossington

Opportunity:  Board Recruitment. The Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre is currently recruiting board members with knowledge and expertise in one or more of the following areas: financial management, fundraising, policy development, human resources, community development, healthcare/Local Health Integration Networks (LHINS), strong strategic thinking skill set, knowledge of Portuguese, Spanish, and Afro Caribbean Communities. There are three spots available for community board members who live within the following boundaries: Bloor Street to the south, the CN/CP rail tracks to the west, Rowntree, Morrison Aves, and St. Clair Ave. W. to the north, Ossington, and Alberta Aves to the east.

Contact:  Courtnay McFarlane

Phone:  416-656-8025 ext 242

Email:  Cmcfarlane@dpnc.ca

SECOND MILE CLUB OF TORONTO - Between Yonge & Bathurst, Lakeshore & St. Clair

Opportunity:  Friendly Visitors. Provide companionship for a senior or disabled adult with similar interests. Meet and visit regularly once per week for an hour. Share stories and news with a client who has become isolated. Go for walks, play games, share the newspaper, or finish a craft or project. Time and day to be arranged with the client; six month minimum commitment.

Contact:  Pauline Hui, Coordinator of Volunteers

Phone:  416-597-0841 ext 225

Email:  smcvol@allstream.net

ST. CHRISTOPHER HOUSE – Queen & Bathurst

Opportunity:  Meeting Place Store Volunteer. The Meeting Place is our drop-in program for homeless community members located at Queen and Bathurst providing supports such as laundry, showers, counselling, advocacy, a community kitchen and First Nations programming. The Meeting Place Store operates to sell the arts and crafts made by homeless and low-income community members and profits made through sales go back to the artist. We are looking for volunteers to help out in operating the store so that store hours can be increased. Volunteers should be available to from 12:00 to 3:00pm and 3:00 to 5:00pm weekdays. The volunteer commitment is three months.

Contact: Meagan Cleary

Phone:  416-532-4828 ext 105

Email: volunteers@stchrishouse.org