Giving Thanks and Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is a global movement for giving and volunteering, taking place each year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The “Opening day of the giving season,” it’s a time when charities, companies, and individuals join together and rally for favourite causes. In the same way that retailers take part in Black Friday, the giving community comes together for Giving Tuesday.

Giving Tuesday harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities; it provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address local challenges. It also brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners – nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals – to encourage and amplify small acts of kindness. Across Canada and around the world, Giving Tuesday unites communities by sharing our capacity to care for and empower one another.

We are always so grateful for all of our donors and supporters, and this year as we count down to Giving Tuesday, we are featuring a donor profile for Jeremy Hayward, a long-time supporter of YWCA Edmonton who has recently taken over as chair of our Philanthropy Committee.

“In Dec of 1989, when I was 17 growing up in the Maritimes, I recall the École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal vividly. The outcome of that terrible day in our national history saw 14 women segregated and killed in the guise of fighting against feminism. It struck me: Why as a society do we persecute, marginalize, or isolate any group of individuals based on gender, race, or religion, and what could I do to help?

Fast forward several years, as a corporate citizen, I wanted to get involved with a cause that I felt passionate about. So when we were presented with the opportunity to get involved with the walk a mile event four years ago, we jumped at the chance. To not only raise much-needed funds for the YWCA, but raise awareness and do our part to stamp out violence against women. Since that time, I have joined the philanthropy committee at the YWCA, to help move the dial and raise awareness and promote such a great organization.

It is our belief at solut that a community’s passion towards our community and what you care about is where change begins and continues to flourish.”

— Jeremy Hayward, President, solūt

Jeremy supports YWCA Edmonton both on a personal level, and through his company. Along with all our generous donors and supporters, Jeremy remains just one of the reasons #YWeCan continue to offer programs and services that are creating better futures for women, children, and families in our community.

On December 3, please consider joining Jeremy with a gift of support for YWCA Edmonton.