Note: Sometimes we use the words “charity” and “philanthropy” interchangeably, and sometimes that makes sense. Some tell us that charity is about providing for the immediate needs of others while “philanthropy” is more about addressing the root causes of such needs. My view is that both are more powerful when they work together. So when I use the word, “philanthropy” I am including “charity” as a fundamental part of the former.
Most often when the media mention a philanthropist, they are referencing a person or a family of considerable wealth who are using their good fortune to help address social problems. While it is true that a billionaire can have more impact than I can, I believe anyone can be a philanthropist and that is what this series is about.
Wikipedia tells us that philanthropy” was first coined as an adjective by the playwright Aeschylus in Prometheus Bound (5th century BC), to describe Prometheus’ character as “humanity loving” (philanthropos tropos).” Along the same lines, the ancient Greeks saw philanthropy as the “love of what it is to be human” and that this love “is the essential nature and purpose of humanity, culture and civilization.” That’s a pretty lofty order, so to speak, but sometimes it is helpful to go back to the origins of the words we use so often to describe so many things.
It follows then (at least for me) that philanthropy is about acting on that love of humanity. And that is something each and every one of us can do and I suggest (in keeping with the wisdom of the ancient Greeks) is what each of us is called upon to do. Philanthropy is not reserved for the wealthy or those in positions of stature or power.
I remember standing with colleagues and other onlookers as we watched our second Thrift Shoppe fire burn the building to the ground. All kinds of thoughts and emotions went through my mind. How would this impact those who depend on us? Why is this happening to us, again? What can I do to ensure our staff are okay and how will I keep them employed? What will all of this cost? How will we ever replace the contents?
As I stood there, the community was already acting. While fire fighters did their jobs, all kinds of people were already on Twitter and Face Book organizing clothing drives. We didn’t ask them to; they just responded because they cared and wanted to do something to help. I believe all of them acted out of kindness and concern but also saw themselves as having a responsibility to act. I think their actions reflect a love of humanity, although each of them may describe it in their own words differently. I believe everyone who helped, no matter to what degree, were engaged in philanthropy.
A while back we reported here on our blog that École Joseph Moreau’s “Comité ESPOIR” (Hope Committee) had undertaken fundraising efforts for the third year in a row to support those less fortunate community. This small group of Junior High students came down to Bissell Centre to learn more about the challenges faced by our participants and they raised more $750 in their support of Bissell Centre. These children – these leaders of tomorrow – are all philanthropists.
In May we posted on Face Book about some amazing women at St. Paul’s United Church who got together and made 50 beautiful quilts that Bissell Centre could give out to mothers on Mother’s Day and also as home-warming gifts for participants of our Homeless to Homes program. What motivated them to do that? I have to believe it was out of love for other human beings and I am sure an expression of their faith.
People from all walks of life phone us up about volunteering at Bissell Centre. Each year thousands donate and together they represent all age groups and people from all walks of life. More than 15,000 donate clothing and household items. Employee groups help out with painting or cleaning up the grounds. Businesses large and small give to us in so many ways.
When Servus Credit Union heard about the fire, one of their staff phoned me and said they wanted to help.After a couple of conversations they decided to provide matching funding to our #restorebissell campaign. Servus involved their employees in this who helped promote the campaign and when the campaign was over, they contributed $15,000. They just did this. We didn’t ask them to. Another example of philanthropy!
I have no doubt that all of these amazing people don’t just limit their acts of kindness to Bissell Centre. My guess is they help address needs and work to solve community problems in other ways too. I am grateful to all of them for everything they do.
Anyone can be a philanthropist. I have a feeling you might be one, too.
Mark Holmgren, CEO
THANK YOU!
Together, we raised $33,720!! That’s $8,720 over and above our $25,000 goal. We are so grateful!
A special thank you to Lift Interactive for creating the #RestoreBissell micro-site, and Servus Credit Union for their generous $15,000 matching donation. And last, but most certainly not least, our community of supporters and advocates. You tweeted, you blogged, you Instagram’d–and you donated.
Thank you so very much!
Thank you to everyone for continuing to support our #RestoreBissell fire relief fundraiser. We are only $5,500 away from our goal of $25,000 that will help us to re-open the doors to our Thrift Shoppe in late October after it was damaged by fire.Servus Credit Union will match your donation up to $15,000 and your continued support could potentially help us exceed our goal! The fundraiser ends on Friday, August 8th.
Please donate online at restorebissell.org and help spread the word using hashtag #RestoreBissell.
For more information, please contact:
Devin Komarniski Acting Manager of Marketing & Communications: dkomarniski@bissellcentre.org
Bissell Centre is proud to announce Servus Credit Union as a matching donor for the #RestoreBissell fire relief fundraiser. They will double your donations until the end of the campaign on August 8th to help reach our goal of $25,000 to re-open our Thrift Shoppe in late October. We are currently at 30% of our goal and we encourage you to please donate at restorebissell.org.
“The Bissell Centre takes it upon themselves to provide an essential service to the community by working with their partners. That’s quite similar to how Servus operates and when we heard they had another setback, I think we all gasped a little in disbelief,” says Dan Bruinooge, Chief People & Corporate Services Officer.
He adds that’s why supporting the Bissell Centre’s fund raising campaign makes so much sense to us. “Servus could have looked for other ways to help them out but we chose this because we want to make sure they get back on their feet quickly and we hope that many others make that choice as well by donating today”.
When organizations like the Bissell Centre are supported, we all benefit.
#RestoreBissell fire relief fundraiser is a two-week online event where we need your help to raise $25,000 to re-open the doors to our original Thrift Shoppe for late October.
The online fundraiser started Monday, July 28th and runs until Friday, August 8th. Please donate at restorebissell.org and spread the word using hashtag #RestoreBissell.
For more information, please contact:
Devin Komarniski Acting Manager of Marketing & Communications dkomarniski@bissellcentre.org
When we experienced a fire to our original Thrift Shoppe in September 2013, we were left scrambling to provide important services. When a second fire hit nine months later at our temporary location on June 21, 2014, we were left devastated. #RestoreBissell fire relief fundraiser is a two-week online event where we need your help to raise $25,000 to re-open the doors to our original Thrift Shoppe for late October.
The online fundraiser starts Monday, July 28th and runs until Friday, August 8th. We encourage you to please donate at restorebissell.organd spread the word using hashtag #RestoreBissell.
The re-opening of the store is vital because it provides $60,000 in annual revenue after expenses to support various Bissell Centre programs and services. With an estimated 100,000 articles of clothing lost in the fire, it interrupted the flow of clothing to our inner-city Community Closet, which provides free clothes to low-income families and individuals. When the store closed due to the fire, 5,000-6,000 monthly customers were forced to look elsewhere for affordable clothing and household goods.
For more information, please contact:
Devin Komarniski Acting Manager of Marketing & Communications 780.423.2285, Ext 131 dkomarniski@bissellcentre.org
This video was recommended to us by one of our Twitter followers (thanks Deirdre!).It is a short video from Orlando and it asks you to rethink homelessness. Its message is relevant here and everywhere. Please take a moment to view it – and share! Rethink Homelessness Video
We have seen overwhelming support from people, organizations, and companies throughout the city who have donated clothing to help us rebuild after the devastating Thrift Shoppe fire. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the cause! Your help has provided much needed clothing to those who rely on Bissell Centre for assistance. We are now accepting donations of clothing, linen, bedding, shoes, purses, back packs, small household items, knick-knacks, collectibles, and jewellery.
Bissell drop off locations can be found at:Bissell Centre Thrift Shoppe (Big Steel Box): 8818 – 118th ave 10am-5pm Monday – Saturday Bissell Centre Southside Location: 5120 – 122 street 9am-4pm Monday – Saturday
Those wishing to make a financial contribution to the Bissell Centre may do so by visiting our donation page.
If you would like to coordinate a clothing drive in your community or at your work, please click here to download a poster that you can use.
For further information please contact:
Madhu Khera – Manager, Bissell Centre Thrift Shoppe 780.471.6644
For Media Inquiries:
Devin Komarniski, Acting Manager Marketing & Communications 780.423.2285, Ext 131 dkomarniski@bissellcentre.org
Thank you for all your support as we rebuild from the devastating Thrift Shoppe fire. Your support will help us to continue to provide clothing and care for people living in poverty.
NOTE: all drop-off locations will be closed on Tuesday, July 1st due to the Canada Day holiday and all locations are closed on Sundays.
Bissell drop off locations (Big Steel Box) can be found at:Bissell Centre East Building: 10527 – 96 Street (South Side of Building) 10am-5pm Monday – Saturday Bissell Centre Southside Location: 5120 – 122 street 9am-4pm Monday – Saturday
Those wishing to make a financial contribution to the Bissell Centre may do so by visiting our donation page.
If you would like to coordinate a clothing drive in your community or at your work, please click here to download a poster that you can use.
For further information please contact:
Devin Komarniski, Acting Manager Marketing & Communications 780.423.2285, Ext 131 dkomarniski@bissellcentre.org
Five days after a second devastating fire ripped through the Bissell Centre temporary Thrift Shoppe a recovery plan developed by Bissell Centre staff has been swiftly set in motion. Sea-Can storage containers were dropped off at Bissell Centre headquarters Monday and Bissell Thrift Shoppe staff are motivated and eager to accept donations.
Community agencies, businesses, organizations and radio stations have been quick to lend a hand, offering to accept and store donations until suitable storage was organized in anticipation of the permanent store reopening in September.
Those wishing to make a financial contribution to the Bissell Centre may do so by visiting our donations page.
If you would like to coordinate a clothing drive in your community or at your work, please click here to download a poster that you can use.
Bissell drop off locations (Big Steel Box) can be found at:Bissell Centre East Building: 10527 – 96 Street (South Side of Building) 10am-5pm Monday – Saturday Northlands (Rexall Place): 119 Ave & Wayne Gretzky Drive SB 10am-5pm Monday – Saturday
Community drop off locations:95.7 CRUZ FM: 5241 Calgary Tr., Suite 700 Up 99.3 FM: 9894 – 42nd Ave
NOTE: All drop-off locations will be closed on Tuesday, July 1st due to the Canada Day holiday
For further information please contact:
Devin Komarniski, Acting Manager Marketing & Communications 780.423.2285, Ext 131 dkomarniski@bissellcentre.org
For the second time in nine months, the Bissell Centre Thrift Shoppe has been leveled by fire destroying over 100,000 pieces of clothing and household goods destined for homeless and less fortunate Edmontonians.
Thirteen staff members employed at the temporary Thrift Shoppe have been offered professional crisis counselling to alleviate the stress of yet another fire.
“Today key staff gathered together to strategize and draft an emergency response plan to continue supporting our affected employees and the 5,000-6,000 clients affected by the fire,” said Bissell Centre CEO Mark Holmgren.
An interim storage, a Sea-Can unit has been situated south of the Bissell Centre East Building located at 10527-96 Street. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to accept donations daily 10:00am – 5:00pm beginning Tuesday, June 24th (with the exception of Sunday). We are in urgent need of clothing for all seasons, ages, and gender.
Financial donations to further support the Bissell Centre can be made direct by accessing our donations form.
The Bissell Centre is fortunate to be supported by such a caring Edmonton Community and we wish to thank each and every person and organization for the countless thoughts, calls, emails and positive wishes during this difficult time.
For further information please contact:
Devin Komarniski, Acting Manager of Marketing & Communications 780.423.2285, Ext 131 dkomarniski@bissellcentre.org
