Past EventsThis past summer, my sister, Samantha, and I took part in our street’s yearly street sale. Right away we decided that half of the money raised that day would go towards "8,500 for Kenya" and the other half would go towards close family friends in Cuba. My sister and I organized the garage sale with only a small amount of help from our mom. We gathered up all of the stuff we didn’t need around the house and asked our grandparents to do the same. We organized, sorted, priced and made signs telling the customers where their money was going to. When the day finally came Samantha, my friend, Emily, who came to help out, and I got up early in the morning to set everything up. People started coming shortly after we finished setting up and the day went pretty well. People were interested in what we were doing and some even gave donations. In the end we raised just under $300 and learned a great lesson on responsibility.
Every year on the 26 of December Matt’s mom, Monica, holds a family Christmas party where approximately 60-70 people attend. My mom, Samantha and I had been planning to come to visit them over the holidays in New Brunswick so Matt took this as the perfect opportunity to raise money in donations for what I am doing. I started researching Kenya and trying to find stories of Kenyan girls that had been affected by education, in the hopes of including it all in a speech I would be giving at the Christmas party. As the days passed and my speech got more and more close to being finished I got more and more nervous. Public speaking has always been my weakness, but every time I thought about it I just remembered the reason why I was doing it and all the benefits that would come out of it in the end and that really kept me going. Finally it was the day of the party, also known as the day I gave my first speech. I was extremely nervous, and practiced several times throughout the day. When it was finally time to give my speech, I walked up in front of everybody and I looked straight down at my feet as Matt gave me a short introduction. When it was my turn to speak it took me several tries to get the first few words out of my mouth, but with Matt standing right by my side and Evie (Matt's aunt) right in front mouthing me words of encouragment, I was able to begin. Once I started I just kept going. In the end I was extremely proud of myself for facing my fears, and from what I could see there was a full bowl of donations sitting on the table. We did a big count together towards the end of the party and came up with a total of $1005. It felt like the best moment in my life, and I still feel excited to this day just thinking of it. From this event I was able to pick up some experience and know what I really need to work on and then improve from then on. I was able to face my fears and now know that I can do anything when I put my mind to it. Upcoming EventsOne of the main events that I have been focusing my time on more than anything else is a silent auction. I've been planning it out with Matt, my mom, and Alan, Sue, and Christine Strong. Christine is a year older than me and has already been on one of the Me to We trips to Kenya. She is raising money to go to Ecuador this upcoming summer. We took this chance to work together on the project and split the money. Currently we are all still brainstorming ideas on where to hold the auction, how we're going to advertise this event and how we're going to get the products. So keep up to date with this auction if you are or thinking of attending and I will post further information on the dates, location, etc...
I will also be holding two more garage sales this upcoming summer. One will be held in New Brunswick when we go to visit the Symes family again, and the other will be held at my house on an unknown date. Family photoshoots are also for sale anytime. Just send Matt an email at [email protected] to discuss the photoshoots further. |
How Can You Help?$8,500!! WE DID IT!Donate $10 - $24.99
I will send you a personal thank you postcard in the mail. (remember to leave me your address in the comment section) Donate $25 - $64.99 I will send you a homemade bracelet with the Kenyan colours and a personal thank you postcard in the mail (remember to leave me your address in the comment section) Donate $65 - $149.99 I will send you a Rakiki friend chain, a personal thank you postcard in the mail and a homemade bracelet with the Kenyan colours (remember to leave me your address in the comment section) Donate $150 - $349.99 I will send you a "Thank you for being the change" mug and post a special personalized thank you video on this website. I will also send you a personal thank you postcard in the mail. Donate $350 or more If you live in the Waterloo Region (or Southern New Brunswick) Symplicity Photography and Design will give you a free one hour family photoshoot (with developed images on CD and a video slideshow to your favourite song) and I will send you a personal thank you postcard in the mail. OR A Rakiki friend Chain, a homemade bracelet with the Kenyan colours, a special mention on my website for your business or family, a personalized thank your video and a thank you postcard. (remember to leave me your address in the comment section) Donate Securely with PAYPAL NOW |