Today as part of Giving Tuesday we are featuring 2 people who have made an outstanding contribution to Nellie’s over the last year.
What is Giving Tuesday? “It is a new Canadian movement for giving and volunteering, taking place each year after Cyber Monday. The “Opening day of the giving season,” it is a day where charities, companies and individuals join together to share commitments, rally for favourite causes and think about others.”
Tony Roost has been involved with Nellie’s for the past 3 years and has brought much joy and happiness to the women and kids at Nellie’s with his artists’ collective One Fire Movement. Here is what Tony has to say about being involved with Nellie’s.
How long have you been a supporter of Nellie’s?
I did the first holiday donation drop off for One Fire Movement in 2010. After visiting other shelters the previous year I noticed how Nellie’s was very much a small grassroots type of organization. I saw how even a small contribution could make a direct impact on what they do there. From that point on I made it my mission to do more.
What or who has inspired you to give to Nellie’s?
What Nellie’s offers and the wonderful services they provide really resonated with me because I was raised by a single mom and considered her my best friend. Also I have 2 sisters and I think we need to respect and honour females in our society. My mom experienced physical violence as well as my sister. So what Nellie’s does there is very close to my heart.
What is your hope for the women and children at Nellie’s?
I hope that the women and children of Nellie’s find the safety they need as well as the strength to begin new lives happy and free. Knowing that others care enough to help and believe in them is a positive force and if we can come together to help each other then we can achieve amazing things. What Nellie’s does is amazing and the staff are some of the most warm-hearted compassionate people I have met in my life. Sometimes just knowing that others care and will be there when you need it is a beautiful thing. I wish all of the women and children of Nellie’s love and happiness. We Are One.
Join the conversation online by following the official @GivingTuesdayCA and @nelliesshelter twitter accounts and using hashtag #GivingTuesdayCA. To support the women and children at Nellie’s with a donation, please visit our Online Giving Page. All donations to our 2013 Holiday Appeal will be matched dollar for dollar up to $5000.
