Help Alberta Flood Victims
Donations to aid the victims of the 2013 flooding in Calgary, Canmore and elsewhere can be made to the Red Cross Alberta Floods Fund.
Those who want to help get the 2013 Calgary Stampede up and running should email csvolunteerservices@gmail.com.
For the rest of the city, volunteers are asked to register online at YYCHelps to receive marching orders once officials declare it safe to do so.
The Alberta government has set up a webpage where you can see all of the ways to donate your time or money.
Of special note, the aboriginal Siksika Nation one hour north of Calgary has been particularly hard hit. Its community leaders say they need the following items: games and entertainment for children; bug repellent; underwear for all ages; men’s and women’s shoes. Items can be dropped off at the office of MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) Jeff Wilson, #328 Midlake Blvd. SE, Calgary, AB, or at the YWCA of Calgary.
If visiting the Stampede, please make an effort to support local businesses. Surrounding Stampede Park, hipster neighbourhoods such as Inglewood, Mission and the Beltline were some of the hardest hit. Large chains can survive the flood, but many independent shops and restaurants will struggle after losing days — perhaps weeks — of business, while facing significant clean-up bills.
Hot Chocolate Tuesdays
Bring warmth to your community this winter
Vacay.ca’s “Hot Chocolate Tuesdays” is a simple program that we hope encourages Canadians to come together to help the homeless in our communities. Although lending a hand to those in need should be something we do every day, the reality is it isn’t easy for all of us to give time or money. So, we felt that by designating one day a week to helping bring comfort to those citizens living on our streets, we could galvanize support for the cause and perhaps create a national campaign of awareness.
What we hope you will do is join us each Tuesday in giving something warm to a member of your neighbourhood or city who is on the streets or staying in a shelter. That may be a hot chocolate, a warm meal, a blanket or gloves, or even just a kind word if that’s all you can afford.
If you have a story of homelessness in your community or an idea of what more we can be doing to help those in need, let us know about it. Email team@vacay.ca with your stories, ideas, photos, videos and successes!
Vacay.ca teams up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto
At Vacay.ca there are two things we really love – travel and kids.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that we’re working with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto. This outstanding charity works hard everyday to ensure that young boys and girls are matched up with adults who can act as role models and sources of inspiration. Keep visiting this page to see how Vacay.ca is working with this Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto to help kids.
We encourage you to visit a Big Brothers Big Sisters in your area to learn more about them and get involved – because somewhere out there a young person needs you. Email team@vacay.ca to learn more about how you can make difference!