Hi all

Sitting here watching Comic Relief, raising money for charity, particular Africa and a big focus on Malaria Prevention.

Just wonder if Canada has things on the same scale, ie annual TV events with a national day of fundraising for the cause

Thanks

BTW- Little Britain were fab and French and Saunders

I always enjoyed Comic Relief. I can't think of anything on the same scale here as this, Children in Need or Wrong Trousers day.

There are quite a few fund raising events and "dress down Fridays" with employees contributing seems to be a permanent thing.

That's a shame, even in the credit crunch they are up to 33 million pounds

The United Way is the biggy

Global TV do a 24 hour one here in the Lower Mailand for Variety in aid of children with special needs. Pretty lame compared to the UK ones though.

I don't think there's an organization I more loath than the United Way. I think it's wrong that they infiltrate the workplace and use managers to pressure thier subordinates to give. I think it's wrong that they provide a well paid sinecure for retired NDP politicians and I hate the idea of giving to an organization that channels such a small proportion of donations to the recipients of charity. The Salvation Army gets my donated dollars, you can't beat them for bang for the buck and they're fabulously politically incorrect.

Although there may not be the huge televised fundraisers here, there are tonnes of phone calls, can you spare $100 etc to help with whatever needy cause, there are door to door callers, will you buy a magazine subscription, Curves are doing a foodbank drive at the moment - take in food for the local bank get free membership etc, there's the backpacks for schools, the coats for kids and toque tossing at the ice rinks to name but a few.

Once again I find myself agreeing with DBD. The Sally Ann gets my vote too - along with donations and purchases!!!!

They have the food bank and seem a lot higher profile than in the UK.

We're doing the Relay for Life in June raising money for Cancer research - more so because I think all the local businesses enter a team and its kind of expected - thats pretty big (not sure if its an Alberta thing and I suppose I could look it up on Google - but seeing as I am conserving my energy for aforementioned 12 hour walk throughout the night - I aint gonna )

United Way is good for those wanting to support corporate payrolls and see very little go to actual charity...

I too cannot stand United Way and an employer a few years back really pushed hard for donations, they must get some kind of cut or something.

Salvation Army or other local charity is the best way to go.

Am I missing the point here? due to the current global economy...shoot me down if you will..But maybe there should be some disparity about where our loyalties lie...sorry.....I agree with all the raised funds going to help other countries...but we also have dire issues here too...

No, I agree,there are very needy causes everywhere, they did make a point of also showing the work that Comic Relief was doing in the UK with various projects for young carers, domestic violence support, mental health issues to name a few.

I guess Comic Relief is a long standing annual tradition, where predominantly the funds raised have gone to Africa.

I think last night was the highest amount ever raised on the night, just short of £60 million pounds

Thanks for the info everyone

Whoa...I just realised that last night was the last Comic Relief I'll watch in the UK for a long time!

Gits the lot of them. We're 'encouraged' to give via payroll deductions. If not then you're treated like a biblical leper. I avoid the fundraising hoo haa that seems to be a constant drain in our place for these con artists.

Although we don't get Comic Relief in Canada, we have abundant local charitable events throughout the year, with most of the proceeds directed back to the local community.

There is no shaking of a can though, its all BBQs, benefit dances, live music, sports events, Dragonboat Races, raffles, etc - huge sums are money are raised by the locals and this is why there is no shortage of events all year round here. Fundraising events also take place for people who have suffered serious illness and house fires (much higher incidents here in NS compared to the UK).

Unfortunately, like the UK we also have lots of phonecalls from mainly national charities around suppertime too which I hate. I have done volunteering since I first arrived here and also participate in many events throughout the year and hate being asked to donate $100 and them not listening when when I say that (a) $100 is a very high amount and (b) that I have selected/donated to my chosen charities this year :curse:

You keep all your tax receipts for donations of $10 or more to receive tax credits. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/chrts/dnrs/menu-eng.html

Canada of course, also raises money for worldwide causes but when it comes to helping their local area, I have never seen such community spirit - EVER!