When I was relocating to Nova Scotia in late 2022, I was chatting with a coworker. She asked me if I knew anybody here, and when I told her no, her response was “So… you’re free? Let me fill your calendar with community service events!” With that one conversation, she helped to open my eyes and open doors, and I found a total passion for supporting the immense need in my new community.
In 2023, I finished the calendar year with 93 volunteer hours, but knew I could do more. I was fortunate to find the Canadian Progress Club Halifax Citadel - a group of incredible ladies focused on helping women & children in the community. Fast forward and I’ve already completed 130 volunteer hours year to date, and I’m not slowing down! I have been fortunate enough to support 16 different organizations and have generated 6 volunteer grants from my employer so far. I am incredibly proud of my achievements, but the need is far greater than I can ever do.
One of the commitments I have been less public about sharing is that I have made a weekly budget and take an hour of my time to help fill the Dartmouth Community Fridge. Every time I have visited I meet people waiting for food. They tell me what they are hoping for, and so much of the time it’s to feed their children or grandchildren. There is a myth in the rest of Canada that the cost of living in Nova Scotia is far less than in bigger cities, and it was quickly debunked when I moved here: the opposite is true. While real estate is less, groceries are 30% higher, electricity 4x higher, insurance 3x higher.
My 35th birthday is coming up next week, and this year I’ve decided to attempt to fundraise $1225 - the equivalent of 35 x $35 - for the Dartmouth Community Fridge. If you are willing and able to contribute, it would mean such a great deal to my heart, but mostly to the folks who rely on mutual aid solutions to make ends meet. ❤️
(Don’t forget to apply for a donation match from your company!)
