You may notice a higher-than-usual number of non-profits promoting their causes in this issue. Twice a year we encourage charities to reach out to our audience with their messages.
November has always been a time when our thoughts turn to how we can give back to our communities. November 11th reminds us of those who gave their lives in service to their country – to defend the freedom and liberties of others around the world.
Within our local communities, we are also the recipients of the service of many whose efforts go unsung – those who work or volunteer at charitable organizations to bring a higher quality of life to segments of our population that need a little extra help to make it to the other side of a crisis.
Whether it is a human being, an animal, or our environment – we owe our charities a debt of gratitude for the effort they put into ensuring no one gets left behind and that we steward our planet and its inhabitants with care and diligence.
We already know our readership is among the most generous. Most of us have experienced first-hand what it means to get a helping hand when we didn’t know where to turn next. Please consider donating money or your time to one or more of these worthy causes.
This issue, we present the story of how our communities have reached out to support Ukrainians fleeing the invasion of their country.
My column usually focuses on ways to uplift the human spirit, but there comes a time when what we hold to be true in our hearts needs to flow out into the world in a way that impacts it, not just in lip service, but in action.
Conflicts and humanitarian crisis exist in many parts of the world. It is my belief that those who have been spared these actions of brutality and injustice have an obligation to take a stand against oppressive regimes.
Therefore, in this issue, I am using my platform to express my support for Ukraine. This country has been thrust into the unenviable position of having to defend against an intruder who, if given a pass, would invade other countries.
As we commemorate Remembrance Day, we must contemplate how quickly a genocidal ideology can unfold into a cancerous extreme that envelopes nations.
My first real education came when I visited the Documentation Centre in Nuremberg, Germany, where the evolvement of the Nazi war is plainly laid out. I’ve also visited what remains of the Auschwitz concentration camp and the holocaust information centres in Paris and Jerusalem. Combined, they are a sobering reminder of how fragile our world is, and how vigilant we need to be to protect our freedoms.
I recently discovered a community on Twitter where, any time of the day or night, you can tune in to find thoughtful and factual discourse on every topic imaginable related to the Ukraine conflict. This space unapologetically supports the Ukraine people in their efforts to defend their homes and country. It is called the MriyaReport, founded by a Canadian and hosted by international volunteers. It has been operating in the Twitter space non-stop, 24/7 since shortly after the Ukraine invasion.
While I could have never imagined myself tuning into an unending conversation that parses all the various aspects of war, I have found it uncharacteristically encouraging and calming. I’ve received insight and education from its many experts on history, armaments, strategic battlefield planning, politics and war logistics. As a group, this community supports www.mriyaaid.org with 100% of donations going to purchase and deliver medical supplies, non-lethal military equipment and humanitarian aid to the frontlines.
Canada has taken a strong role in supporting Ukraine. Unknown to most of us, our Canadian military had already been training Ukraine troops in NATO combat doctrine well before the conflict began. I was impressed to learn that some of the trainers are Canadian women.
As we approach November 11, may it not be a single day of remembrance where we thank our military service people and veterans, but may it also be a reminder to support all those many other charitable organizations who serve us.
Please give generously.
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