Handing out flyers to generate interest to donate blood! #Interior Savings #Melissa Cairns
#Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna #Canadian Blood Services
#Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna #Canadian Blood Services
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Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna
Canadian patients depend on us to manage a safe, secure and cost-effective blood system. We bring quality to every aspect of our work - from collecting, testing and manufacturin...
103-1865 Dilworth Drive
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y9T1
Health & Well-being
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Kelowna Capital News
AEM (Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp.)
Evangel Church
Trinity Church
RCMP
Lake Country Rotary
Only a day late for National Blood Donors Week, but I managed to get my fastest time of 5:28. They have a critical need for donors right now so what's stopping you? Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna Canadian Blood Services
Just got back from giving blood with the Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna. Heard about how much more they could use, so I urge you to go and take a few minutes to potentially save someone's life. This is your chance to show how a small act can have such a big impact. I became a first time donor this year - it was super easy, quick and painless and now I go regularly.
Hey students, perhaps you could encourage friends to give and get 150 new student donors by Canada's 150th birthday! #Canada150 #Volunteer150for150 Canadian Blood Services
OKM Huskies Student Group, Aberdeen Hall Student Group, GESS Student Group, Immaculata High School Student Group, RSS Student Group
Hey students, perhaps you could encourage friends to give and get 150 new student donors by Canada's 150th birthday! #Canada150 #Volunteer150for150 Canadian Blood Services
OKM Huskies Student Group, Aberdeen Hall Student Group, GESS Student Group, Immaculata High School Student Group, RSS Student Group
We would like to congratulate Ryan Lancaster from Scale My Life for having the most impactful volunteer spotlight of December 2016. For sharing his inspiring story with us, Volinspire has given Ryan a $250 gift card to donate to a charity of his choice. Here are a few words from Ryan about where he has chosen to give:
"I have chosen Inn From the Cold - Kelowna because they are making an incredible impact to homeless individuals in our community who are dealing with mental health and addiction issues. IFTC puts shelter first at the forefront of the healing process and that not only gives people a place to go when they have no other option but helps give them the safety and security they need to get back on their feet.
IFTC focuses on treating everyone with compassion and respect no matter what their situation. They build a strong community of positivity and support and follow that through with programs to make sure individuals get the care they need over the longterm. "
Congratulations Ryan, not only on your volunteer spotlight, but also the #CharityChallenge that brought awareness to so many worthy charities in just one month Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, Central Okanagan Community Food Bank, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, The Salvation Army Central Okanagan, The Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna's Gospel Mission, Mamas for Mamas, CRIS Adaptive Adventures, BC SPCA Kelowna Branch and Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna
"I have chosen Inn From the Cold - Kelowna because they are making an incredible impact to homeless individuals in our community who are dealing with mental health and addiction issues. IFTC puts shelter first at the forefront of the healing process and that not only gives people a place to go when they have no other option but helps give them the safety and security they need to get back on their feet.
IFTC focuses on treating everyone with compassion and respect no matter what their situation. They build a strong community of positivity and support and follow that through with programs to make sure individuals get the care they need over the longterm. "
Congratulations Ryan, not only on your volunteer spotlight, but also the #CharityChallenge that brought awareness to so many worthy charities in just one month Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, Central Okanagan Community Food Bank, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, The Salvation Army Central Okanagan, The Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna's Gospel Mission, Mamas for Mamas, CRIS Adaptive Adventures, BC SPCA Kelowna Branch and Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna
Ryan Lancaster, Thanks for Doing Some Good!
What inspires you to volunteer?
I believe volunteering is one of the greatest things that anyone can do.
It's fulfilling knowing you're making a positive impact on your local community, it's rewarding helping those that are in need of assistance, the atmosphere is always so inspiring and upbeat, and it's a place where I'm constantly challenged to try new things and get out of my comfort zone.
If everyone volunteered just a couple hours a month, not only would the world be a much better place, but everyone would be much better for it.
This is why I have committed myself to taking on this #CharityChallenge for this month's Scale My Life challenge. By volunteering at 12 different charities over the holiday season, I hope to connect with some really amazing new charities and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
Which cause(s) are you most passionate about and why?
Mental health and poverty have a personal connection for me.
I battled with my own struggles with depression late last year before I started Scale My Life. It took a toll on just about every area of my life and it was really difficult to pull myself out of. I really think that The Canadian Mental Health Association is doing some positive work to try and address these issues and I'm always happy when I can support them.
Poverty is something I was exposed to at young age as my mom had to struggle as a single parent to take care of my brother and I. We always had enough, but at times things were very tight. I see incredible programs like Mamas for Mamas, Central Okanagan Community Food Bank, Kelowna's Gospel Mission, and others and I am inspired.
What impact have you seen the organization(s) you work with, and their volunteers, make in the community?
Just this month, I've seen elderly men and women and the Good Samaritan Canada, Mountainview Village that had Alzheimer's and dementia go from being quiet and recluse to being active, smiling, and happy just by engaging with them and giving them something positive to do.
At the Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna clinic I saw high school students organizing a grad blood drive because they cared enough to become a champion for the cause. I learned about a local girl with an undiagnosed blood disease that is forced to get a blood transfusion every couple weeks and it's donations like those, from the senior classes at our local high schools, that help keep her alive.
AND with 10 more charities still left to volunteer with this month, I can't wait to see what other positive stories I'll see!
What support is needed by the organization(s) and how can people learn more or get involved?
Whether it's Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna or the BC SPCA Kelowna Branch, every organization could always use more help with volunteers and awareness.
These are places supported and maintained solely on the kindness of volunteers, but surprisingly I have found that the demand for time in most cases is very small. With just a few hours from your week, you can make a massive impact in a charity or non-profit, and most of the time the work is very light and the value is extremely high.
Whether you can make time to volunteer or not, the best and simplest thing you can do for a charity is to help share their message. Share their content on social media, become an advocate for their cause and you will help create the awareness they need to grow and succeed.
Is there a person, organization or caring company (e.g. employer) you would like to recognize that has helped support you to make a difference?
Honestly, if I were to recognise any organization, it would be Volinspire.
Their efforts to connect charities and non-profits to caring individuals and businesses is truly inspiring. I hope they continue to grow their platform to one day drive a national or global volunteer movement.
Whether its GivingTuesday or any Tuesday, there are many ways to give back! Give your time, give your money, or give your blood. It's in you to give! Thank you to our team at Volinspire for supporting us and Jeff Hoffart for joining me! First time donors! Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna
Craig Cote, Thanks for Doing Some Good!
What first inspired you to volunteer?
In grade 12, our school arranged to take any students who were willing to donate blood to the clinic. For some it was a chance to get out of school. I knew my dad had been a donor, so for me it was a chance to do something my dad had done.
Which cause are you most passionate about and why?
I often encourage people in the office to go out to donate blood. Malachi Nordine is the president of SKYTRAC Systems -- I got him out for his first donation by betting on the results of the Obama vs McCain election. I've managed to convince half-a-dozen other colleagues to go out to the Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna, and some have become regulars. Another passion of mine is working with youth through coaching. Watching a player have their best game and being able to share their enthusiasm afterwards is unbelievably rewarding.
Which organization do you most commonly volunteer for?
I volunteer with OMYSA: Okanagan Mission Youth Soccer Association. You can learn more about it here: http://okmissionsoccer.com
What does a typical volunteer shift look like for this organization?
Running soccer practices and games. Nothing fancy. The emphasis is always on having fun, continually improving, good sportsmanship and teamwork, and playing to the best of one's capacity, regardless of the setting.
What impact have you seen volunteers make in the community?
There are countless events occuring all the time in Kelowna, and without volunteers so many of them would never happen. Everyone would lose without volunteers.
What is the most memorable moment or experience you've had while volunteering?
2016 was a tough season for my U11 boys team, but the boys had handled the adversity pretty well. I got a call an hour before our last game of the season to tell me our opponents couldn't field a team and was asked if we'd be willing to play a U14 girls team from the Kelowna United program instead. I said yes. ;)
The boys (and their parents) were initially skeptical but willing. And the girls took no prisoners: they used all their skill and physicality against my boys. It didn't take long for the boys to forget they were playing against girls and they played their best, most complete game of the season -- and it was just a joy to watch. And I got to watch it from the best vantage point -- from the goal, as the girls' coach and I tended goal for our respective teams. It was a blast to join the boys for the game, and seeing how hard they worked, how much fun they had -- it was an amazing way to end the season. I suspect everybody involved will remember it for a while. :)
What support does your organization currently need, and how can people learn more or get involved?
Coaches are needed every year. Although many of them volunteer year-after-year, lives can get in the way. Every year I see e-mails being sent because of a shortage of coaches.
Is there anyone else you would like to recognize that has helped support you to make a difference?
Initially I waffled about coaching soccer -- I didn't feel particularly qualified, hadn't played in a decade -- but Malachi Nordine encouraged me to step forward. I'm very grateful he did.
Great Day of Difference with Interior Savings Glenmore Branch and volunteering for Canadian Blood Services - Kelowna #localmoneylocalgood
103-1865 Dilworth Drive
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y9T1
Health & Well-being