Maritime charities take part in Giving Tuesday

Charities are eager to receive support and a much-needed boost on Giving Tuesday.

On the country’s biggest day for charitable giving, United Way Maritimes and BMO workers and volunteers joined forces to pack 240 warming kits for shelters in Halifax.

Marc Champoux, BMO private wealth’s Atlantic provinces vice-president, says each bag is filled with everyday essentials and winter gear for those in need.

“In December for many people in Nova Scotia, it’s about choice. It’s about ‘do I have Christmas? Do I feed my family, or do I pay my rent?’ And this is one small way we can make sure that people that are in need get a little bit of extra help,” says Champoux.

Ronald McDonald House Maritimes is raising money to provide food for Maritime families staying at or visiting their Halifax and Moncton family rooms.

“It’s a chance to settle, to share a meal, to refuel and to refocus so they can have the energy they need to focus on their ill or injured child,” says Austin Clem, the charity’s senior communications & development manager.

Clem says their Giving Tuesday tradition has received positive feedback from families facing tough times.

“It’s one less thing to worry about. To come back from the hospital and have a warm meal ready for them, or food in the cupboards… the odd spice that they didn’t have to buy at the grocery store while they’re far away from home, just the little things. And when it comes to food that makes a big difference for a family,” says Clem.

Ash Avery, executive director of Feed Nova Scotia, said they received more than 1,000 donations on Giving Tuesday.

“Nova Scotians are always stepping up for one another,” Avery said.

The Tema Foundation is another charity taking part in Giving Tuesday.

They provide mental and psychological support to first responders.

“There’s lots of support for their physical health, but the overall support for their mental and psychological health is lacking, and we want to have them to be healthy. So when they retire from the profession, whether it be police, fire, EMS, corrections, anything else, that they’re healthy mentally and psychologically,” says Dr. Howard Conter, a board member with the foundation.

Conter’s family plans to match the first $10,000 donated to the foundation, hoping it will inspire others to do the same.

“Whatever you can give from $5 to $5 million, the money will be extremely well used. Pick the charity you’re passionate about and please support them today and at Christmas time, and the other 12 months of the year,” he says.

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