Unexpected

Today I was reminded that good hearts are often found in the most unexpected places.  A colleague of mine and I were chatting about her upcoming participation in the relay for life - it came up that they were very close to their goal but that she wasn't very comfortable asking people for donations.  We chatted a bit more and I shared with her our Family Fund and website - laughing - I told her that I had no problem asking for donations.

It was then that she told me that she'd like to make a donation to our fund.  Just like that.

A shared belief in giving and a conversation on philanthropy and before you know it - we donated to each other's projects.

I wanted to share this story with you because I think, unless it's Christmas, it's easy to forget about our Family Fund, it's easy to lose our focus.

I matched my colleagues donation today - and I urge you to keep talking about our Fund - let's continue to grow not only it, but ourselves.

Interest

I was chatting with mom and Jordan this lovely Easter Weekend about the fund and through that we sorted out that our fund has already earned $80.39!  Whoohoo!  Okay, Okay - I know it is not very much.  But still.

We now just need $1,175 to reach our first goal of $10,000!

There are a lot of birthdays coming up this summer...just sayin...

The Foundation

The last time I was in Golden, I had the pleasure of attending a Foundation meeting as a guest.  Meeting in one of the member's homes, the agenda included a variety of topics including the 2012 administration budget and new donor prospects to name just two.

I learned that it is not just mom who is a passionate board member.  The entire group is committed to making our community great - and while they don't all have family funds, they all do their part to raise the profile of the foundation, work for donations and bring back that support into the community.

I walked away from that meeting feeling energized and more committed then ever to our Legacy Fund in Golden.  It also got me thinking, that there may be some of you who want to help with our Fund or the Foundation in a broader sense, but are financially unable to do so.  It seemed to me that the group is looking for two new board members and always need volunteers spreading the word.

So, if you want to help in other ways, I would encourage you to get in touch with the foundation, volunteer, write a blog post, add our blog link to your Facebook profile, or find a way to encourage others to donate  to our fund.

We are now just $1,256 dollars away from reaching our first goal - $10,000!  That's just 50 donations of $25! Do you think we can do it?  I know we can.

Thank You

A few more donations have come in this week from family and friends in Dad's name - we thank you for your love and support.

Corporate Donation

A huge thank you goes out to Golder Associates Ltd. for a donation in the amount of $1,500 to our Family Fund.  Jessie applied through her work's Community Involvement and Support Program and was notified of the decision this morning.

This donation brings us up to a total of $8,304.54.  We are now just shy of $1,700 before we meet our first goal of $10,000.

Thank You

There have been a few recent donations made in Patrick Neil Milum's name, and we thank you for thinking of him and us during this time.  While my dad is not named in our family fund, he was so very proud of how involved mom and become with the foundation and what our family was trying to accomplish with it the legacy fund.

Jessie's Memories of Grandpa

My best memories of Grandpa are from the last few years and I don't think that's just because my memory is foggy.

When I was little, Grandpa seemed to be at work, all the time!  I spent a lot of time getting to know Grandma during grandchildren's week and even more so when I was doing some housecleaning for them but I usually only saw Grandpa if he stopped by the condo for a quick lunch and we didn't chat much when he did.  Of course everyone would see him during his famous birthday party's on Boxing Day, but I feel like I didn't really visit with him much then either.

As a teenager I envied the relationship that my younger cousins seemed to have... Grandpa cuddling..What?!  I have a picture (below) of Sarah curled up with Grandpa, and I just don't remember ever doing the same.

All that said - over the last few years, through fundraising for the Crandlemire-Keenleyside Family Legacy Fund for his birthdays and then through his developing a relationship with Jordan and I as a couple, I have felt more connected with him then ever before.  When in Golden, I often go for lunch with Grandma, but when they come through Calgary together, we often all go out (Grandma, Grandpa, Jordan and I) for lunch or dinner - and I so enjoy that time together.  

I have shared more stories, subtle jokes and quiet tears (of joy and of sorrow) in the last few years then I ever have, and while I sometimes still envy those who got to know the 'retired' Grandpa before they knew the working Grandpa (not that he's every actually retired) - I consider myself lucky that I've gotten to know him in such a special way.

He's taught me, somehow through very few words, that family is the most important thing we have and not only our family through blood but the families that we choose and the communities that we live in.