Results tagged “charities”

Toronto comedian and activist Derek Forgie got inspired to start Heterosexuals for Same-Sex Equality (HSSE)—a gay-rights group founded by people who identify as straight—from the unlikliest source: 100 Huntley Street. On a particular episode in 2003, the hosts and guests were denouncing gay marriage seemingly on the behalf of all straight married couples in Canada. "I didn’t feel this was a fair representation of my country," Forgie says, "and I vowed to prove it in numbers."

...But they do want your lunch money. On Thursday, February 26, Second Harvest volunteers will be at TTC stations asking Torontonians to donate the money they’d normally spend on lunch to help feed the hungry in our city. The campaign is in its eleventh year, so most TTC riders are familiar with it, but in the morning rush there is little time to stop and find out what Second Harvest is all about.

Erin Bury and Sarah Prevette have had a very long month. The two women were the chief organizers behind the Toronto version of Twestival benefiting charity: water, which builds wells in impoverished nations. The event, held last Thursday at CiRCA, included live video streaming of Twestival parties from around the world; a community fair that showcased organizations that were, according to Prevette, "harnessing social media for social good"; and three rooms for dancing, networking, and photograph-taking.

One month after its launch, War Child Canada's latest multi-media campaign, Help Child Soldiers, continues to actively make itself visible on downtown streets. With a fresh smattering of posters spotted on Queen Street West (at McCaul Street) this past Sunday, the recent resurgence in the street-level marketing is an attempt to further educate and engage pedestrians. According to War Child Canada Director of Marketing James Topham, it's working. "We've had a record number of seventy volunteer offers in just one week," says Topham. "The television spot has been extended into January, but the posters add a new dimension, especially now that students are returning for school."

Photo by bigdaddyhame from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

Camp Okutta counsellors hit the pavement downtown last week handing out brochures for the wilderness getaway, which aims to teach kids the "art of war." Ads posted to utility poles boasted briefings on grenade throwing and minefield navigation. A promotional clip for Camp Okutta (right) shows children ranging from ages 8–12 strolling along nature trails and sitting around campfires, but also toting automatic rifles.