“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” -John Bingham-
Thank you Jennifer, Patti, Brian, Maurizio, Pedro, Suzi, Diane, Kathy, and Adriana for coming out to Team Nellie’s Pasta Dinner last night to celebrate the hard work and outstanding fundraising accomplishments of our team. It was an absolute pleasure to meet you all and we can wait to see you at the finish line of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon next week!
(Team Nellie’s T-shirts)
Toronto Mom Now, a website for moms in the city, is launching soon and they are supporting moms at Nellie’s by donating $1 for every person who signs up to their e-mail list.
Filled with yummy places to eat, unique places to shop, and cool neighbourhoods to walk – (with or without your kids), Toronto Mom Now is a local guide for urban moms who love where they live! If you love to discover the best neighbourhoods in the city and what they have to offer, Toronto Mom Now is the place for you.
Toronto Mom Now supports the important work Nellie’s does and is pleased to donate $1 to for every person who signs up to their e-mail list. Since 1973, Nellie’s Shelter has helped to rebuild the lives of over 15,000 women and children. As mothers themselves, the women at Toronto Mom Now know that every woman deserves a life free of violence and poverty for herself and her children.
Nellie’s is so pleased to be a part of such a wonderful initiative and we wish Toronto Mom Now much success as they launch their new website in October. Please visit http://www.torontomomnow.com and sign up today!
We know it’s only August and you probably don’t want to start thinking about the holidays yet, but we’re so excited about what’s coming up that we wanted to share it with you!
This November we are launching Nellie’s 2011 Holiday Auction. The auction will take place completely online at Nellie’s Marketplace, a new website currently in development. We will be offereing a wide-range of donated good and services incluing vacations, spa packages, dinners, and gift certificates that can be purchased as gifts for loved-ones and friends.
So far we’re proud to announce that we’ve recevied support from many businesses in our community including Brooks Brothers, Lit Espresso Bar, Desmond & Beatrice Cupcakes, Hardware Interiors, and more!
We anticipate to raise $5000 from this holiday auction that will go directly to fund our programs and services for the hundreds of women who come to Nellie’s for shelter and support every year.
To find out more about our holiday auction or to donate a gift, you can click here or call 416-461-0769.
Meet Mary Byberg, Nellie’s Superstar! She is the current Chair of Nellie’s Fund Development Committee, a former Board Member, and a 2011 winner of Harlequin’s ‘More Than Words’ contest. A book based on her life will be published by Harlequin next year.
Is this your first race?
No, I ran a 5km race in 1998! And I walked for Nellie’s several years ago.
Why are you running for Nellie’s?
Nellie’s is an organization with a mission, vision, and people I believe in. Nellie’s mission is to operate programs and services for women and children who have experienced homelessness, violence, and other oppressions. Their vision is for a more just world for women and children, and the people are Nellie’s are among the most inspiring, hard working, and dedicated people I’ve ever met.
How long have you been running for?
Not long. I was a runner years ago, go out of it, and am now trying to get back in to it.
Where is your favourite place to run?
I love the water so I walk and run on a path that runs along Lake Ontario by my house.
What message do you have for the women and children at Nellie’s?
Have courage. Together we are going to make it better for all of us.
What is you power song?
Well in the heyday of my running I used to listen to Alanis Morrisette’s “You Oughta Know.” I would probably have a different song now…my life has much less drama. I love all music so it just has to be something I love listening to that keeps me motivated.
Join Mary this October at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Call 416-461-0769 or e-mail info@nellies.org for details! If you can’t join us, you can sponsor our team by clicking here.
On Friday August 19th (tomorrow!) White Girl Records is hosting a benefit concert for Nellie’s at The Horseshoe.
The concert will feature a group of Toronto bands paying tribute to early alternative band The Replacements.
Admission to the concert is $10 and doors open at 9:00pm. The Horseshoe is located at 370 Queen Street West. You can find out more information about the event here.
We hope you’ll come out friday night to enjoy some great music in support of the women and children at Nellie’s!
Meet Anna Von Frances, founder and director of Pink Mafia, creator of GirlFight, and outspoken advocate for the women and children at Nellie’s.
Is this your first race?
Yes Ma’am
Why are you running for Nellie’s?
Because I really want to help raise money for the new shelter which is desperately needed.
How long have you been running for?
On and off for years, but seriously (i.e. regularly) for just over a year
Where is your favourite place to run?
The ravine-it’s Toronto’s best kept secret
What message do you have for the women & children at Nellie’s?
This is a tough one. Truthfully, I’ve learned a lot more from the women at Nellie’s than they’re ever going to learn from me. This run is a great way to challenge myself and give back to a great charity at the same time. I guess a “thank you” would be appropriate.
What is your power song?
Anything I can sing along to. I monitor my breathing by singing (poorly), but when I really need to kick it up a notch “Power” by Kanye West never fails me.
Can you share a quote that keeps you motivated?
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
-Marianne Williamson
Join Anna this October at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Call 416-461-0769 or e-mail info@nellies.org for details! If you can’t join us, you can sponsor our team by clicking here.
Meet Patti Shaughnessy, Nellie’s Volunteer and long-distance walker.
Is this your first race?
No
Why are you walking for Nellie’s?
After many years of admiring what Nellie’s s provides for the women and children in their care, I became a volunteer in November of last year and can say with certainty, it is one of the best decisions of my life. I’ve seen first-hand what amazing programs and services they provide and will continue to support them in any way as long as I can.
How long have you been walking long-distance for?
I’ve been a long distance walker for many years but stepped it up a couple of years ago when training for a two day 60 km walk.
Where is your favourite place to walk?
Stanley Park sea wall in Vancouver
What message do you have for the women and children at Nellie’s?
I would like the women and children to know that there is an end to the abuse and violence they suffer now that they are on the road to finding a better life through Nellie’s care and direction. I am so thankful that I was able to become a strong independent person (in large part thanks to my mother) after living in an abusive household during my childhood. It will get better one day at a time.
What is your power song?
My power song is ‘Find the Strength Within’ by Full Blown Chaos.
Join Patti this October at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Call 416-461-0769 or e-mail info@nellies.org for details. If you can’t join us, you can sponsor our team by clicking here.
This summer Trixie Montanile of Atma Shakti Yoga is hosting weekly Park Yoga classes in honour of the women and children at Nellie’s! Participants can enjoy a 60 minute invigorating yoga practice while doing some good for themselves and others.
Trixie began Park Yoga in 2005 as a way to give back to the community. She explains, “Park Yoga brings members of the community together to do something positive for themselves, while at the same time helping others. In that way we are expressing the purest meaning of yoga, that we are all connected.”
Park Yoga will run throughout the summer until October, Wednesdays at 7:00pm and Saturdays at 10:00am at Riverdale Park (beside the statue of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen) and Sundays at 10:30am at Greenwood Park (off Alton Ave, NW end of soccer field) and at 12:30pm at the Leslieville Farmer’s Market , Jonathan Ashbridge Park.
For more information, please click here or visit www.atmashaktiyoga.com
On Friday August 12th, over 300 young adults are expected at Shingar Banquet Hall in Brampton to enjoy a gala event in honour of the women and children at Nellie’s. Hosted by The Miracle Movement, this event will feature music, dancing, and a live performance by Bhangra Dance Team N.Y.P.D.
We are so honoured to have The Miracle Movement host this event on our behalf because we think they are such an amazing organization. Formed last summer by “five ordinary teenagers who set out to make an extraordinary change”, their inaugural fundraising event raised over $5000!
This year Nellie’s will receive the funds raised at “Lighters” because The Miracle Movement wants to make a difference in the lives of people who need help. At Nellie’s we know that it is only with the support of others that we are able to provide shelter, support, and dignity to the women and children who arrive at our doors.
The Miracle Movement has this quote on their facebook page: “Miracles don’t just happen on their own, we make them happen together.” We are so grateful to have such extraordinary individuals working together with us to build a world free from violence.
For more information on this event and to purchase tickets, please click here or e-mail miraclemovement@live.ca .
