Wednesday, December 30, 2009
On to Montreal
Santa was very good to us. Thanks to a number of generous donations over the holidays we have made it to the next City. 16 days to the deadline and 1.5 cities to go. We cant stop now! Too close to the coast.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Merry Ginchmas Toronto!!
Just a quick update everyone. I have not received the official totals in the Fund from the Mustard Seed but I received a few very generous donations today. I am confident this has moved us into Toronto, and quite possibly into Ottawa.
Stay tuned, and Merry Ginchmas!!
Stay tuned, and Merry Ginchmas!!
Friday, December 11, 2009
We were very strong out of the gates but it appears that we are stuck in Winnipeg. Although a shorter trek this year has some appeal to me, I would hate to see the initiative stop short. If you are planning to make a charitable donation this holiday season please consider this one. If you have been intending to donate but haven’t found the time please do so soon.
I plan to place the order for the product mid January which will allow time for fabrication and delivery in early fall. In order to place the order I will need to have all donations in and accounted for.
Remember every bit helps and everyone gets a tax deductable receipt.
Three ways to contribute:
By Phone:
Contact the Mustard Seed 403 269 1319 tell them you would like to contribute to the GotGinch Underwear fund.
On Line:
https://www.theseed.ca/DonationForm.html be sure to indicate the donation is for the GotGinch Underwear Fund in the comments section
To Brent:
Cash, or Cheques, can be given to me directly and I will submit them for you.
Help if you can,
I plan to place the order for the product mid January which will allow time for fabrication and delivery in early fall. In order to place the order I will need to have all donations in and accounted for.
Remember every bit helps and everyone gets a tax deductable receipt.
Three ways to contribute:
By Phone:
Contact the Mustard Seed 403 269 1319 tell them you would like to contribute to the GotGinch Underwear fund.
On Line:
https://www.theseed.ca/DonationForm.html be sure to indicate the donation is for the GotGinch Underwear Fund in the comments section
To Brent:
Cash, or Cheques, can be given to me directly and I will submit them for you.
Help if you can,
Thursday, November 12, 2009
On to Winnipeg
WOW. Great start.
So far initial pledges have gathered enough funds to supply: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina and half of Winnipeg’s needs (3000 pairs each). Yes, the West Got Ginch. Let’s not forget about our friends to the East. I have made good on my first tier of matching money, and look forward to the next tier as we approach our goal.
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far.
In other related news: Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi who filmed the journey last year has applied for the grant money necessary to create the documentary. It will be called “One Problem”. We should see something before I begin delivering our underwear in the Spring.
Thanks All.
Brent
So far initial pledges have gathered enough funds to supply: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina and half of Winnipeg’s needs (3000 pairs each). Yes, the West Got Ginch. Let’s not forget about our friends to the East. I have made good on my first tier of matching money, and look forward to the next tier as we approach our goal.
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far.
In other related news: Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi who filmed the journey last year has applied for the grant money necessary to create the documentary. It will be called “One Problem”. We should see something before I begin delivering our underwear in the Spring.
Thanks All.
Brent
Friday, October 23, 2009
Here we go again!!!
Hello Everyone,
I was just looking at the Mustard Seeds list of urgently needed items on their Website…… Men’s underwear is NOT listed. This one item has been eliminated thanks to us. Congratulations. The situation is similar across the Country in at least 10 shelters.
Thanks again to everyone involved in last year’s run. It was a great success and I have pledged to try again this year. Last year we saw the delivery of 25 000 pairs of underwear (3000 lbs) to individuals from coast to coast. In doing so we managed to raise some awareness and make a small difference in a lot of lives. During the journey I discovered that homelessness was a complex issue that is often viewed as hopeless. In reality I believe it is actually the sum of many smaller problems, each one with a solution. I am certain that a few individuals focused on eliminating single problems can turn a complex situation like homelessness into a solvable problem. Keeping to this simple plan of solving one problem, I will again focus on men’s underwear.
Why underwear?
1. When faced with the difficulties of living on the street basic dignity is often lost
2. There is nothing more basic than clean underwear
3. The per unit cost is low therefore more people can be reached with a given donation.
4. Underwear is typically a high need item (often at the top of shelter wish lists)
5. Many people are reluctant to give Underwear as a donation
6. This small problem is solvable
This year, like last year, I pledge to:
- Annoy and pester my Friends, Family and Professional contacts for donations
- Purchase high quality product at the very best price
- Personally deliver the underwear to as many shelters as possible (10 major cities starting in Vancouver and moving east)
- Ensure that every dollar donated goes to the purchase of clean new underwear
- Keep you all informed of the progress as we move forward
Unlike last year I plan to:
- Provide 3 sizes L, XL, and XXL
- Increase the number of units per city to 3000 (more if donations allow)
To start us off I pledge to personally match the first $5 000.00 in Donations. I will follow with a further $5 000.00 lump donation if we reach a total of $25 000.00.
Remember every dollar counts, and every donor will receive a tax deductable receipt.
I hope you will all join me again this year.
Donations can be made 3 ways:
By Phone:
Contact the Mustard Seed 403 269 1319 tell them you would like to contribute to the GotGinch Underwear fund.
On Line:
https://www.theseed.ca/DonationForm.html be sure to indicate the donation is for the GotGinch Underwear Fund in the comments section
To Brent:
Cash, or Cheques, can be given to me directly and I will submit them for you.
The website is still active though not yet updated: www.gotclothing.ca
I hope to the see the documentary of last year’s journey completed in late winter.
Brent King
V.P. Operations
Tenet Medical Engineering
W 403 571 0750
F 403 571 0752
C 403 561 1558
I was just looking at the Mustard Seeds list of urgently needed items on their Website…… Men’s underwear is NOT listed. This one item has been eliminated thanks to us. Congratulations. The situation is similar across the Country in at least 10 shelters.
Thanks again to everyone involved in last year’s run. It was a great success and I have pledged to try again this year. Last year we saw the delivery of 25 000 pairs of underwear (3000 lbs) to individuals from coast to coast. In doing so we managed to raise some awareness and make a small difference in a lot of lives. During the journey I discovered that homelessness was a complex issue that is often viewed as hopeless. In reality I believe it is actually the sum of many smaller problems, each one with a solution. I am certain that a few individuals focused on eliminating single problems can turn a complex situation like homelessness into a solvable problem. Keeping to this simple plan of solving one problem, I will again focus on men’s underwear.
Why underwear?
1. When faced with the difficulties of living on the street basic dignity is often lost
2. There is nothing more basic than clean underwear
3. The per unit cost is low therefore more people can be reached with a given donation.
4. Underwear is typically a high need item (often at the top of shelter wish lists)
5. Many people are reluctant to give Underwear as a donation
6. This small problem is solvable
This year, like last year, I pledge to:
- Annoy and pester my Friends, Family and Professional contacts for donations
- Purchase high quality product at the very best price
- Personally deliver the underwear to as many shelters as possible (10 major cities starting in Vancouver and moving east)
- Ensure that every dollar donated goes to the purchase of clean new underwear
- Keep you all informed of the progress as we move forward
Unlike last year I plan to:
- Provide 3 sizes L, XL, and XXL
- Increase the number of units per city to 3000 (more if donations allow)
To start us off I pledge to personally match the first $5 000.00 in Donations. I will follow with a further $5 000.00 lump donation if we reach a total of $25 000.00.
Remember every dollar counts, and every donor will receive a tax deductable receipt.
I hope you will all join me again this year.
Donations can be made 3 ways:
By Phone:
Contact the Mustard Seed 403 269 1319 tell them you would like to contribute to the GotGinch Underwear fund.
On Line:
https://www.theseed.ca/DonationForm.html be sure to indicate the donation is for the GotGinch Underwear Fund in the comments section
To Brent:
Cash, or Cheques, can be given to me directly and I will submit them for you.
The website is still active though not yet updated: www.gotclothing.ca
I hope to the see the documentary of last year’s journey completed in late winter.
Brent King
V.P. Operations
Tenet Medical Engineering
W 403 571 0750
F 403 571 0752
C 403 561 1558
Monday, July 6, 2009
End of the Road
Monday July 6
Those of you who know me have probably never heard me talk about this before. I am not a religious man. Although I don't subscribe to any specific religion, I have to acknowledge its presence on this journey. I acknowledge the deep faith present in the hearts of those working the shelters and I see its power as a catalyst to recovery. To me the most effective groups operate like businesses balanced by their belief. Ramin referred to them as businesses operated by angels. I can't say I disagree.
Thanks to every one who supported the run. Special thanks to all the shelters who opened their doors to us and who hold their doors open to those in need.
Brent
Those of you who know me have probably never heard me talk about this before. I am not a religious man. Although I don't subscribe to any specific religion, I have to acknowledge its presence on this journey. I acknowledge the deep faith present in the hearts of those working the shelters and I see its power as a catalyst to recovery. To me the most effective groups operate like businesses balanced by their belief. Ramin referred to them as businesses operated by angels. I can't say I disagree.
Thanks to every one who supported the run. Special thanks to all the shelters who opened their doors to us and who hold their doors open to those in need.
Brent
Halifax
Monday July 6
Homelessness is not as visible in Halifax says local musician Brendan Fraser. A transplanted Calgarian Brendon says "you don't see the panhandlers like you do in Calgary". Maybe it’s due to the good work of the Metro Turning Point Shelter. This shelter is a focused shelter supplying basic baseline shelter and belonging. Unlike other programs, Turning Point will not refuse access to those who are under the influence. Michael Poworoznyk (Prozzz) tells me that they focus on building trust and honesty. Once they break down those barriers they can focus on the underlying issues. Without that honesty you can’t begin to work with someone. Turning point then operates as a referral service, directing people to services that can help them. It's a little like triage for the less fortunate. I like the approach. It allows different groups to specialize rather than duplication of effort. It also fits well with my approach of focusing on one problem and dealing with it in an efficient manner.
Michael tells an amazing story of when he first came to Turning Point. This guy spent some time living amongst the guests of Turning Point. Without telling the other guests Michael quietly spent a night or two literally in their shoes. As the story goes he had borrowed a pair of beat up shoes from a friend so as to look the part. Unfortunately the shoes were a little small and quickly began hurting his feet. (Street people spend an enormous amount of time on the move) Another patron of the Mission offered Michael an extra pair of shoes that he had with him. A huge gesture. To the homeless shoes are like gold. This would be the equivalent of me offering to give a stranger my car.
Pretty moving stuff.
On the plane at 8 pm tonight. Time to let Westjet take the wheel.
Brent
Homelessness is not as visible in Halifax says local musician Brendan Fraser. A transplanted Calgarian Brendon says "you don't see the panhandlers like you do in Calgary". Maybe it’s due to the good work of the Metro Turning Point Shelter. This shelter is a focused shelter supplying basic baseline shelter and belonging. Unlike other programs, Turning Point will not refuse access to those who are under the influence. Michael Poworoznyk (Prozzz) tells me that they focus on building trust and honesty. Once they break down those barriers they can focus on the underlying issues. Without that honesty you can’t begin to work with someone. Turning point then operates as a referral service, directing people to services that can help them. It's a little like triage for the less fortunate. I like the approach. It allows different groups to specialize rather than duplication of effort. It also fits well with my approach of focusing on one problem and dealing with it in an efficient manner.
Michael tells an amazing story of when he first came to Turning Point. This guy spent some time living amongst the guests of Turning Point. Without telling the other guests Michael quietly spent a night or two literally in their shoes. As the story goes he had borrowed a pair of beat up shoes from a friend so as to look the part. Unfortunately the shoes were a little small and quickly began hurting his feet. (Street people spend an enormous amount of time on the move) Another patron of the Mission offered Michael an extra pair of shoes that he had with him. A huge gesture. To the homeless shoes are like gold. This would be the equivalent of me offering to give a stranger my car.
Pretty moving stuff.
On the plane at 8 pm tonight. Time to let Westjet take the wheel.
Brent
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