The Aviva Community Fund Contest

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Aviva Community Fund. All opinions are 100% mine.
Do you have an idea that would help to achieve a positive change in your community? With the Aviva Community Fund Contest, that idea could become a reality!

Aviva Canada Inc., a provider of various types of insurance products in Canada, is proud to announce that they will be offering the $1,000,000 Community Fund competition for it's 3rd year!  The Aviva Community Fund competition started in 2009 and has already provided at least $1.5M in funding to 19 community groups and charities across Canada.

Aviva Canada Inc., will be accepting ideas until November 30, 2011 and YOU will have a chance to vote on the ideas that you would like to see come to life!  The winners will be announced on January 25, 2012.

Steps to enter to win:
1.) Visit AvivaCommunityFund.org to submit your idea on how to create a positive change in your community.
2.) Encourage co-workers, friends, family, and other stakeholders that support your idea to vote for it!  This is an extremely important step since the ideas with the most votes will share the $1,000,000 fund.
3.) Make friends with a local insurance broker who believes in the idea you have for your community. Having an insurance broker who supports your idea can increase your chances of winning.
4.) Continue to promote your idea by doing things like using social media (twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc.) to share your idea and encourage people to vote, bringing your story to your local newspapers, or sharing photos and videos that support your idea!

What community types of community initiatives have been supported in the past?  In 2010, a couple of the winning ideas included:
-a hockey team for youth with intellectual/developmental disabilities (Ottawa)
-school playgrounds (British Columbia, New Brunswick, & Ontario)
There were a total of 11 award recipients in 2010.

This year, the Aviva Community Fund is more accessible than ever with their new Facebook page.  All the ideas that are submitted will be available for viewing and voting on the Aviva Community Fund Facebook page.  Plus, for each new 'like' on the Aviva Community Fund Facebook page, Aviva will dontate $1 to 'Free The Children', a program supporting at-risk youth programs across Canada.

So, what are you waiting for?  Now is the perfect time to submit, promote and vote for ideas!  Plus, don't forget to Follow @avivacf and like Aviva Community Fund on Facebook.

Seventh Generation is giving back!

Seventh Generation is committing to giving back to families across Canada this October! Their goal is to distribute up to 240,000 packages of diapers (or up to $160k worth of diapers) to women's shelters located in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec, since these shelters often do not receive corporate help.  Seventh Generation has started a diaper donation program that they are calling BOGO (BUY ONE GIVE ONE) and they are encouraging families across Canada to participate.  I was lucky that Seventh Generation gave me to chance to participate in, enabling me to help to donate even more diapers across Canada.

As part of Seventh Generation's diaper donation program, I was able to donate four (4) packages of diapers to a local charity of my choice.  Because I work (when not on maternity leave) in the Wolseley area of Winnipeg, I wanted to donate the diapers to a charity that I know a lot about, that I've worked with in the past, and that I've seen benefit many families in the community. 

I chose to donate the four (4) packages of Free & Clear diapers that Seventh Generation sent me to a place called Wolseley Family Place, a non-profit community based charity that helps families with young children.  When I went to drop of the diapers, I felt good knowing that the diapers would be put to good use.  The centre receives food and clothing regularly as donations but I have a feeling that don't receive diapers too often...especially so many at once or ones that are eco-friendly (an aspect that many people in this particular community feel strongly about).  It was great to see a number of Moms and their babies in the centre when I went there because I knew that they may be one of the families who will benefit from Seventh Generations kindness.

As I mentioned briefly above, you can help families in your community too by participating in the Diaper Donation Program.  Seventh Generation is encouraging families to Buy One & Give One.  In other words, the next time you purchase a package of diapers, purchase an extra package to donate to a local community charity of your choice, to help a local family in need.

I recently had a chance to try Seventh Generation's Free & Clear diapers.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect since I had never tried eco-friendly diapers before.  I'll be honest and say I wasn't expecting much because I've learned over the past few months that I'm rather picky about my daughter's diapers and I wasn't sure how an eco-friendly version would hold up.

After using a whole package of the diapers, I'm happy to report, I love them!  First and foremost, I love that these diapers hold up (most importantly); I didn't experience any leaks despite some really wet and really poopy diapers.  I also love that the diapers contain no chlorine, no petroleum based products, no latex, and are scent free and hypoallergenic!  With my baby's sensitive skin, I'd rather her not be exposed to all that unnecessary 'stuff'!  I was surprised that these diapers were a beige color but realized that, that was because these diapers are not bleached (something I can definitely live without).  After using the 'beige' diapers, I actually started to enjoy the natural look to them, partially because it reminded me that they were au natural!  I also loved that these diapers fit really well; they had the nice stretchy contoured parts around the legs and the back that are needed to avoid leaks (there is nothing worse than a poopy diaper that runs up the whole back of my baby's sleeper).  I would definitely use these diapers again and I'd recommend them to other Moms who are looking for an eco-friendly alternative.

If you haven't already, become a part of the 7th Gen Nation or visit Seventh Generation's Facebook Fan Page!  As a member of the 7th Gen Nation program, you will have special member-only access to coupons, special offers, and tips on how to live green and keep your family healthy at the same time!  Both places are a great way to stay up to date on what is new and happening with Seventh Generation!


Disclosure – I am participating in the Seventh Generation program by Mom Central Canada.  I received compensation as a thank you for my participation.  The opinions on this blog are my own.

A Freebie: Just in time for Easter!

Here's a great deal for all my Canadian readers that is just in time for Easter.  While supplies last, receive a free chocolate bar to share with a friend/loved one!  Just follow this link: Get your free chocolate bar.

A bit more information about how this offer was started (directly quoted from http://www.marsacts.ca/About.aspx?lang=en)

"Surprised when someone offers you up a seat on the bus, or holds open a door for you? According to a recent survey† measuring the likelihood and frequency that Canadians commit random acts of kindness, you might be surprised. The survey conducted by Leger Marketing and commissioned by Mars Canada Inc Chocolate division, reveals that only 41 per cent of respondents believed they were on the receiving end of kindness in the past week. With 90 per cent of Canadians believing that their country is a compassionate nation, it appears that we actually do not act as kindly and considerately towards one another as we claim."

"Furthermore, feedback from Canadians indicated that they feel it doesn’t take a large act to make someone feel special. While large gifts and gestures are certainly valued, a simple, inexpensive act from one Canadian to another can have a big impact on someone’s day."

"The release of these survey results coincides with the launch of Mars Canada Inc.’s RANDOM ACTS OF CHOCOLATE™ campaign, built on the belief that any act of kindness, big or small, can bring a little joy to someone’s day. Mars Canada Inc.’s Chocolate division will be giving away 8.65 million coupons redeemable for free* chocolate products to Canadians and encouraging them to use these to help spread a little kindness and encourage others to do the same. Canadian Football League (CFL) legend Michael “Pinball” Clemons has also teamed up with this unique Campaign to inspire people to not only share their personal stories, big and small, but to also encourage Canadians to nominate a local Community Organization active within their community, being either a charity or other not for profit organization registered federally or provincially in Canada, for the opportunity to receive one of three $10,000 CDN donations to have an act of kindness made in their honour, should their entry be selected and they be declared a winner. Three Community Organizations nominated by the winners will each receive a $10,000 donation from Mars Canada."

The three (3) paragraphs in quotations above was directly quoted from http://www.marsacts.ca/About.aspx?lang=en.

This campaign has personal meaning for me because I work as a social service coordinator for a non-profit organization that serves older adults (seniors 55+) in my

community.  The reality is that funding is often sparse and it is difficult to accomplish all that I would like to for the community on such a modest budget.  I am very glad to see that Mars Canada has stepped up to the plate to make a non-profit organization's ability to help people a little bit easier.  I truly hope that this campaign encourages other companies to do the same - support small non-profit community organizations.  I believe that this support is very important since these organizations are vital to healthy people and healthy communities.

So now that you know a bit about the campaign and my personal experience with non-profit organizations, go ahead and request your free Mars chocolate bar.  While you are there, please don't forget to nominate a non-profit organization in your community! 

Plan Canada

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of SEO 5 Consulting. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you ever wanted to make a difference in another child's life? A child that lives in a country less fortunate than ours? Plan Canada has been working since 1937 to help you do just that! Plan Canada was founded in 1937, originally known as the Foster Parents Plan. For over 70 years, Plan Canada has been gathering donations that go directly to helping children and their families around the world.

Plan Canada has a number of donation options to fit your budget. If you choose to sponsor a child, you can donate monthly (as low as $35/month) or yearly (as low as $420/year). When you sponsor a child, your money goes to helping develop grassroots programs in that child's community. These programs help to build new schools, train teachers, support and empower young girls/women, dig wells, provide health clinics, to help individuals start small businesses, and more! Your donation will also ensure that a child receives clean water, health care, education, and food. Sponsoring a child is a great way to contribute to a child's life and ensure they are healthy, happy, and successful in life.

If you would prefer to support Plan Canada's mission in another way, there are a number of options. You can make a one time donation (as little as $10), donate to their gifts of hope program, support an issue, fund a project, support emergency humanitarian efforts, or plan a gift for future generations.

Plan Canada's goal is to provide children and their families with the essentials of life needed to be successful in their communities. Make sure to visit Plan Canada's website to find out more about how you can help a child/family/community in need!