What's New at NeighbourLink

Mpact Dance partners with local agencies to get the message out about poverty

2012-02-29T10:53:00.000-08:00

Do you know what poverty looks like? The answer might surprise you. Come get a new perspective on poverty at 'Something to Say - Make Poverty Personal' happening at Vertigo Theatre April 4-7. An Mpact Dance production, it's not just dance - it's dance with an important message behind it that will have a positive impact on your life. Find tickets here and more information here!

New community liaison to manage partnerships

2012-02-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of January 2012, NeighbourLink hired Cydney Wallace to organize and manage all of our partner agency relationships as our new Community Liaison. Here is an update from her:

NeighbourLink's new Community Liaison, Cydney Wallace

“There are many new and exciting things happening with our partnership agencies at NeighbourLink. The month of January 2012 brought a brand new agency partnership with the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC). The AFCC now joins NeighbourLink’s other partnership agencies, Brenda’s House and The Mustard Seed, as one of three organizations whose clients are receiving furniture, household and baby items from NeighbourLink. All three of these partnership agencies specialize in re-housing singles and families as they are transitioning out of homelessness in Calgary. As these individuals move out of homeless shelters, NeighbourLink comes alongside them and provides beds for them to sleep in, dishes for them to eat on, along

with many other essential items. The partnerships that NeighbourLink has established have helped hundreds of Calgarians. In the year 2011, NeighbourLink assisted in helping to fully furnish 90% of the overall move-outs from the Brenda’s House shelter, helping 103 families consisting of 334 individuals. Since The Mustard Seed partnership was established in July of 2011, NeighbourLink has assisted in furnishing the homes of over 40 individuals as they have been re-housed. The months ahead look very exciting and busy for us and our partners. The Mustard Seed is set to open up a new apartment building for their clients in the near future and NeighbourLink will be furnishing a majority of the entire building. Brenda’s House maintains a steady flow of approximately ten move-outs per month and our new partnership with AFCC guarantees that we will be furnishing the homes of fifty individuals over the following months.”

Calgarians' generosity will improve the lives of thousands

2012-01-24T15:01:00.000-08:00

The Calgary Herald presented local philanthropist
Allan Markin with a special framed tribute for
tripling the total amount raised during the 2011
Calgary Herald Christmas Fund campaign.

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, our CEO Walter Twiddy and COO LeeAnne Alexander were smiling ear to ear along with dozens of other non-profit representatives, local philanthropists and Calgary Herald employees as the proceeds from the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund were finally divvied up. To a standing ovation, philanthropist Allan Markin was honoured for having tripled the total amount raised. Not just one, but several standing ovations later, the giant cheques were distributed by Herald Publisher Guy Huntingford and Editor-in-Chief Lorne Motley to the 12 deserving charities. We're speechless. Thank you so much to Mr. Markin and every one of the 4,600+ donors who found it in their hearts to give generously! Your generosity added up to a $280,483.23 donation made to each charity, including NeighbourLink.

NeighbourLink CEO Walter Twiddy and COO LeeAnne Alexander gratefully accept a Christmas
Fund cheque from Herald Publisher Guy Huntingford and Editor-in-Chief Lorne Motley on Jan. 24.

NeighbourLink PSA on CTV

2012-01-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

Have you seen our PSA on CTV? Many thanks to Pearl Tsang from CTV Morning Live Calgary for producing it. Check it out here and share it with your friends to get the word OUT about how low-income Calgarians can be helped and how YOU can play a part!

Yasmina, victim of the Woodridge fire last month, shares her story on ShawTV, and how NeighbourLink helped her

2012-01-16T10:42:00.000-08:00

Victim of Woodridge fire begins again with the help of generous Calgarians and NeighbourLink

2011-12-21T09:38:00.000-08:00

Single mother and recent immigrant Miatta Sambola stands in her new, empty apartment on
Friday, Dec. 16 after losing her home and all her belongings in a fire on Saturday, Dec. 10.

“The stuff I lost does not compare to the stuff you bring, but thanks be to God,” said Miatta Sambola, 21.

Two second-hand beds and dressers, a strainer and dish rack, lamps and a cupboard full of pasta and sauce were small but significant comforts to the single mother.

She and her five-year-old daughter Mamie lost everything to a thirsty fire that tore through theirs and seven other apartments at Woodridge Terrace SW on Saturday, Dec. 10.

The Calgary Housing unit was her home for six of the eight months she’s been in

Canada

“I’m not used to the cold,” said the Liberian about her first Canadian winter. Imagine her standing outside her burning apartment in bare feet. For two hours. In the middle of the night.

“I was confused,” said Sambola. “I even tried to go in for some of my clothes, but my sister told me I’m going to die.”

Her sister, who had been staying overnight, ran home to grab extra clothing and footwear for the pair.

The horror of that night has been replaced by a sliver of hope for the future. The small family has been re-housed in a two-bedroom apartment, albeit in the opposite quadrant.

NeighbourLink staff Lorne Mouland (front) and Mark
Alexander (back) deliver a dresser among many other
things to Sambola less than 24 hours after she moves in.

Mamie will continue Grade 1 soon, in a new school just down the street. Her mother will continue learning English at the YWCA. And life itself will continue in spite of Sambola’s bitter loss.

“I’m so discouraged,” she said.

The day her home burned down was the same day her newly purchased television and sofa had been delivered. Now, no TV or sofa exists, but the reality of another five months of payments does, and hits hard.

Meanwhile NeighbourLink, a local non-profit organization that provides resources to Calgarians at risk of becoming homeless, has filled Sambola’s empty apartment with furniture, kitchen and bedroom items, including two sofas and televisions.

NeighbourLink warehouse staff Lorne Mouland and Mark Alexander delivered the one-tonne-truck-full of supplies on Friday, Dec. 16, less than 24 hours after Sambola relocated out of a hotel into the apartment.

Following the fire, NeighbourLink became the hub where Calgarians could donate finances and gently-used items to the displaced families.

When Mouland and Alexander had moved everything into Sambola’s new home, she began to unpack – and rebuild. Mamie decorated a small Christmas tree she had found amongst the donations, and the sun shone through the window.

Sambola unpacks dozens of boxes of items that were donated by generous
Calgarians to help her rebuild her home and life after the devastating fire.

Donations still needed for Woodridge fire victims

2011-12-15T14:17:00.000-08:00

The following items are still needed to help restock and rebuild the homes and lives of four families, all victims of the Woodridge fires last weekend:

2 couches
2 loveseats
2 living room chairs
4 queen beds
7 single beds
3 kitchen tables
1 set of 6 kitchen chairs
2 sets of 4 kitchen chairs
3 coffee tables
15 night stands
End tables
3 TV stands
8 child size dressers
7 adult size dressers
Pots and pans
Utensil sets
Large knives

Any monetary donations will be used to purchase needed items and the remainder will be distributed as grocery gift cards. If you'd like to help out the families in need, please bring your new or gently-used donations to the address below, or phone 403-538-7314.

Donations drop-off location is 3751 21st St NE.

Drop-off Hours:
Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Accepting Donations for Woodridge Fire Victims

2011-12-13T14:53:00.000-08:00

From the Calgary City News Blog:

Six families have lost their homes in a fire that took place late Saturday night at Woodridge Terrace S.W., but the city is coming together, as usual, to to help those tenants who are now in need.

Our friends at Neighbourlink have stepped up to manage all donations for the residents. This will include both monetary and physical items that are being donated. The plan is to collect all donations from now until December 22, and hopefully have them out before the holidays.

Monetary donations will be used to purchase needed items and the remainder will be distributed as grocery gift cards. If you'd like to help out the families in need, please send donations to the address below, or phone Neighbourlink Donations at 403-538-7395.

Donations drop-off location is 3751 21st St NE.

There were no injuries in the fire. But the six families that were living in the complex are now without homes.

Much thanks goes out to our friends at Red Cross, Community and Neighbourhood Services, Calgary Housing Company and NeighbourLink for their fantastic support thus far for affected residents.

What to Donate:

Furniture
Bedroom items
Bathroom items
Kitchen items
Clothing
Finances to fill in gaps
New toiletries

Over 70 children and youth wait for beds as winter arrives

2011-12-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

This Christmas there are 79 children and youth in Calgary who are each waiting to receive a free single bed from NeighbourLink.

Mattress Mattress Inc. made a generous donation of 70 brand new mattresses toward NeighbourLink’s wait-list last month. Since then, 9 clients have been added to that list. Nine more mattresses, 79 single box springs and 79 single bed frames (new or gently-used) must be donated to make these beds complete before they can be distributed to those in need.

“When talking to clients about the most important furniture item they need, we hear time and time again, ‘A bed for my child,’” says Nikki Golnik, NeighbourLink warehouse manager.

NeighbourLink Warehouse Manager Nikki Golnik
hauls one of 70 single mattresses donated by
Mattress Mattress into the warehouse. Once a
single box spring and bed frame are donated, it will be
delivered to the home of a youth on our wait-list.

“In the past, we’ve had to give out mattresses without box springs or bed frames, but the comfort level and the spirit of these children is still only a few inches up off the floor,” she continues.

“A mattress on the floor is definitely a step up, but there is just something to say about a complete bed. Mattresses were designed to have something under them and it prolongs the life of the mattress when used properly.”

After posting announcements at the two Calgary Mattress Mattress locations, Vice President Lori Fecho was pleased to find customers donating cash to the cause.

“It seems unsettling that in a city like Calgary so many children are sleeping on the floor,” says Fecho.

“There are so many luxuries we take for granted every day, yet there are children without the simple necessity of a mattress to sleep on.”

All of the single beds NeighbourLink distributes go to clients under 18 years of age, and Golnik says she’s seen the delight and excitement of children when their beds are delivered to them.

“A child who has a good night sleep can learn better in school, which can open up so many opportunities later on in life,” says Golnik.

“A bed equals a good night sleep, equals better opportunities, equals breaking the cycle of poverty in families.”

If you can help by donating a single mattress, box spring or bed frame, or by making a financial gift, please phone LeeAnne Alexander, NeighbourLink’s chief operating officer, at 403-538-7314.

The Fluevog Christmas Shopping Night

2011-11-30T10:27:00.000-08:00

‘Tis the season to celebrate together! NeighbourLink and John Fluevog Calgary will be doing just that at their joint Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 17 – and you’re invited. Avoid the frightful weather and duck indoors at the Fluevog Calgary location (207, 8^th Avenue SW) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The festivities inside will soon have you forgetting whatever frightful weather there may be out-of-doors, what with treats from Jelly Modern donuts, eggnog on tap, live entertainment, and a 25% discount on regular-priced shoes to boot. RSVP at calgary@fluevog.com or just drop in that night. Entrance is a minimum $20 donation to NeighbourLink and 25% of sales will benefit us too! See you there!

Volunteer Calgary talks the talk and walks the walk

2011-11-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

On November 24, part of the crew from Volunteer Calgary donated their time sorting and packaging kitchen items for distribution to families in need. Weird and wacky items were discovered amongst the boxes of donations, including a 'butter dispenser'...hmmm, hilarious! Luckily the majority of the donations were très-useful, including plates, bowls, drinking glasses and more. Oh - and utensils, including butter knives :) Thanks for your hard work Volunteer Calgary! These items will be put to good use in our clients' homes.

Bigger and Better by guest bloggers Kylee and Zoe

2011-11-02T10:48:00.000-07:00

Today is the 17th Annual 'Take Our Kids to Work Day'! Kylee and Zoe, the 14-year-old daughters of two of our staff, helped out around the office and warehouse. They also participated in a creative venture several weeks ago that benefited NeighbourLink and our clients...Read about their 'Bigger and Better' experience below...

NeighbourLink's warehouse manager Nikki
and daughter Kylee prepare a household
kit for a family moving out of a shelter.

"A few weeks ago, the youth group Fusion at North Calgary Community Church played a gamed called Bigger and Better. Basically, you start out with a penny and go door to door asking if you can trade the penny for something bigger or better. If they can give you something, you get that new item and then trade it in at the next house and so on until the game is over. At the end you could end up with something huge! We ended up with a 16 foot aluminum boat, a typewriter, two couches, two TV's, and four bags of clothing. We decided to donate some of these items to NeighbourLink. What couldn't be donated though, we put on Kijiji and the money we get will go towards NeighbourLink. By playing this game, not only did we have a really fun night, but we were doing it for a good cause, so that made it much more special to us."

NeighbourLink's COO LeeAnne and daughter Zoe pose for
a picture during the 17th Annual 'Take Our Kids to Work Day.'

Thanks for helping out and being guest authors on our blog, Kylee and Zoe!

Say 'Merry Christmas' and support your neighbours in need!

2011-10-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

We're stoked to be one of five Canadian charities receiving 100% of the net proceeds from a nationwide card campaign this Christmas! It's called The Printing House Charitable Greeting Card Campaign. Do some charitable giving at the same time as purchasing your Christmas cards this season! All the info you need is below...

Christmas programs LAUNCHED!

2011-10-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

Move over sugar plums - visions of Christmas programs are dancing in the heads of NeighbourLink staff as another holiday season approaches.

On Wednesday, Oct. 12 NeighbourLink officially launched its 2011 Christmas programs, including Adopt a Family and No Crib for A Bed.

For Calgarians, that means that several opportunities to spread holiday cheer are at the fingertips of those who want to dig a little deeper than a layer of gift wrap this year. For NeighbourLink staff it means making lists and checking them twice.

“We’ll be busier than ever in these coming months connecting Calgarians in need to the neighbours who want to help them out during the holidays,” says LeeAnne Alexander, NeighbourLink’s COO.

“We’d like to blow last year’s statistics out of the water and help more families than ever this Christmas.”

Adopt a Family
The Adopt a Family program is a wonderful opportunity for you, your family or a group you're involved in to reach out to your neighbours who are struggling to make ends meet this Christmas. Try an 'entrepreneurial approach' to your generosity by taking this program and making it your own! We suggest providing a gift for each member of the client-family we connect you with, as well as some Christmas treats and a gift certificate for groceries. But that's just the beginning - connect on a personal level with your adopted family and find out what would make their Christmas extra special. Be Christmasy, be creative!

No Crib for A Bed
This is a program that takes minimal effort but results in maximum impact - impact that is visible and creates a whole lot of warm fuzzies! Best run in a group setting like a church or workplace, you set up a new or gently-used crib (or several!) in an easily visible and accessible spot. Ask passersby to fill the crib up with donations of diapers, formula, baby toiletries, crib supplies and other baby essentials. Everything collected - including the crib - gets donated to NeighbourLink and distributed to infants here in our city whose parents can't afford to buy what their babies need.

Donation Drives
Pick an item or two, collect 'em and donate 'em! That's the premise of our donation drives, whether you pick diapers and formula, can openers, dollars or dishes. All of these items are needed to help the nearly 3,500 clients we assist each year. You could also collect gift items and toiletries for a program we'll be running called Gifts for Gals. Run a drive for candles, soaps, socks and other pampering items, and they'll be redistributed in special surprise packages to overlooked moms in need!

Interested individuals and groups can sign up to participate in Adopt a Family, No Crib for A Bed, or a donation drive by contacting LeeAnne Alexander at lalexander@neighbourlinkcalgary.ca or 403-538-7314.

Volunteer & Supporter Appreciation BBQ a success!

2011-09-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who came out to our 2nd annual volunteer & supporter appreciation event last Thursday! This year we hosted a BBQ in our own backyard, here at NeighbourLink. Thank you to all who made the dream a reality, including those listed below. Special thanks to the Toad n' Turtle Pubhouse & Grill for catering, and to Darrel Janz of CTV for volunteering his time speaking and emceeing!

Awesome Options Print and Promo
Balloons Canada

Lovely weather for a BBQ!

Britec Computer Systems
Cakeworks
Coco Brooks
Delacour Community Hall
Grand & Toy
Jelly Modern Doughnuts
Kensington Wine Market
Pastor Tim Hayes of Centre Street Church

Our oldest volunteer, Howard, and one of our youngest, Micah.

Peter's Drive-In
Swizzelsticks Salon & Spa
The Calgary Zoo
The Promotion Factory
Ynot Digital

THANK YOU again to our most wonderful volunteers and supporters for your generosity, dedication and hard work.

Help the homeless restart in homes of their own!

2011-08-31T13:19:00.000-07:00

The following items are needed for our new partnership with The Mustard Seed. Clean out your house and help equip the Seed's clients for life in homes of their own after living on the streets and in shelters!

Hand-held can openers
Pancake flippers
Small garbage cans
Mops
Brooms
Shower mats
Shower curtains
Bath towels
Face cloths
Dish cloths
Dish towels

Donate these new or gently-used items by dropping them off at NeighbourLink: 3751 21 St. NE on Monday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and on Friday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please keep in mind we are closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.

Sincere thanks for your generosity!

New Mustard Seed / NeighbourLink partnership houses homeless in home sweet homes

2011-08-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

As The Mustard Seed moves men and women out of its shelters and into permanent housing, NeighbourLink will be outfitting each tenant’s home with basic household essentials.

The partnership was formalized in July.

“We’re grateful and excited for this new partnership between The Mustard Seed and NeighbourLink,” says Colin Tessier, Manager of Rehousing at The Mustard Seed.

“The Mustard Seed helps people move out of the shelter system and into independent housing, and working with NeighbourLink will ensure that these men and women have the basic necessities needed to turn their houses into homes.”

A list of needs is faxed to NeighbourLink prior to each client’s move-out date. That list may include a single bed, dishes, towels, cutlery and a table with chairs, among other basic household items.

NeighbourLink staff collects donated items from its inventory and prepares them to be picked up and dropped off by staff from The Mustard Seed at each client’s home.

“A home is more than a roof and NeighbourLink will do all we can to make the homes these clients are moving into as comfortable as possible,” says LeeAnne Alexander, Manager of Volunteer and Operating Resouces at NeighbourLink.

“The Mustard Seed does great work in Calgary and we hope this partnership helps their clients get the best start as they get back on their feet.”

So far, six clients have been equipped since July 11 with the housewares they need to succeed.

Video: Delivering food hampers to Calgarians in need

2011-08-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

Looking for something to do on weekday mornings? This is what Mark Alexander is doing: delivering food hampers to Calgarians in need. Watch this video then consider volunteering at NeighbourLink yourself :) Contact LeeAnne at 403-538-7314 or lalexander@neighbourlinkcalgary.ca, or visit the Volunteer Page on our website to sign up online.

Profile of a Professional Volunteer Manager

2011-07-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

NeighbourLink's Volunteer Manager LeeAnne
Alexander with husband Mark.

Courtesy of Kali Readwin with Volunteer Calgary

LeeAnne Alexander is so passionate about volunteer management that she single-handedly created her volunteer management role at NeighbourLink Calgary. Back in 2009, LeeAnne started with NeighbourLink as a volunteer administrator for the All Roads Lead Home program. One year later, armed with previous experience and a hunger to do more, LeeAnne approached the leadership at Neighbourlink and said "I think we need a volunteer management position,” then offered to take the role. Until this point, each of the program staff was responsible for their own volunteer recruitment and engagement.

“I could see the need that hadn’t been filled,” explains LeeAnne. “I had shown them [it would work] through success stories. They knew we had a need for a volunteer coordinator, so I presented them with a year’s plan. They were able to find the funding to hire me, so they said, ‘GREAT!’ When you’re taking 40 calls a day, you don’t want to worry about if the volunteers are happy, so I do that now.”

NeighbourLink works to provide low-income Calgarians with the resources, donated goods and connections they need to avoid homelessness. Volunteers are vital to NeighbourLink’s service delivery. ‘Lifting spirits, one neighbour at a time’ is what volunteers do every day for NeighbourLink clients. Volunteers build hampers, take baby supplies to needy families, sort donated goods in the warehouse, deliver heavy furniture and personally deliver Calgary Food Bank hampers to struggling Calgarians. “When you’re a single mom living in poverty, you don’t have a car to pick up a crib in the middle of winter.”

Although you might think it’s easy to see the impact NeighbourLink has in the community, LeeAnne feels it is important that the volunteers know how important their work is. With so many tasks to do, “…it’s good for the volunteers to see for themselves and feel like they are making a difference. It’s hard to understand that this happens in Calgary. It’s hard to understand how delivering a chair can better our world, but delivering chairs means a family is not eating dinner on the floor tonight.” LeeAnne shared a number of these heartfelt stories with us. The awestruck stories from volunteers drive her to do her best. Even with highly engaged staff and leadership, LeeAnne says the biggest challenge is “…we always feel like we’re not doing enough and that people don’t know who we are. We just try to help as many people as we can.”

When LeeAnne isn’t brewing up solutions at work, she enjoys time with her family. She loves children’s books and even has a bookshelf in her office that is full of her favourites, including One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. She enjoys spending time with her children who love watching So You Think You Can Dance together. “I have daughters. Of COURSE I love SYTYCD!” she laughs. You can catch LeeAnne wandering Kensington shops with her husband every Friday, enjoying consignment boutiques, Crave Cupcakes, coffee and wine stores.

LeeAnne’s top tips to being a successful manager of volunteers:

Be flexible in your volunteer roles to honour the volunteer’s time. If you have a delivery service, let your volunteers choose how often, what day and what area of the city. Save gas and time by grouping deliveries in similar areas.
If your organization is restructuring, make sure your orientations, training and operating procedures are changed accordingly.
Always explain why a volunteer position is important. “They want to know they are doing something significant to better our world.”
Don’t reinvent the wheel – ask lots of questions! Network with other managers of volunteers, discuss topics on social media, and use your resources.
Get to know your volunteers. “It’s all about relationships. Conversations are worth more than a mug or a pen.” Ask what their summer plans are, know their kids’ names, make sure they know they matter as people, so when a volunteer retires “it’s not a change in numbers, you’re losing a friend.”

Donated car seats help local families

2011-07-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

Sisters Presilia, Raisa, Plamedi and Chancebi Bakana, clockwise from left,
enjoy getting out more often as a family thanks to a new car seat for baby Chancebi.

Chancebi Bakana, two months old, has the look of an old soul. Like a wizened woman, she sits uncomfortably and with heavy eyelids in the lap of her biggest sister, Raisa.

“We want to have a good future for our kids,” says Carlos Bakana, their “Papa” who first travelled to Montreal from Angola as a refugee 11 years ago.

His wife Maria followed in 2006 with Raisa, now 11. Daughters Plamedi, 4, and Presilia, 2, were born in Canada.

Bakana moved his family west in 2009.

Maria and Carlos

“We are happy to be here in Calgary,” he says, happy but unable to afford necessities that are basic to his family’s well-being.

“Nobody needs a car seat [in Angola], but here it’s mandatory,” he explains.

“Sometimes I want to go out together with them but without a car seat, they have to stay here.”

Staying at home has meant the inescapable onslaught of cabin fever for Maria’s girls and depression for Maria herself.

But thanks to the help of Kidseat Recyclers and NeighbourLink, two local non-profit organizations, this young family will be out on the town this summer.

And little Chancebi – she really will become ‘wise in the ways of the world,’ as she explores it from the comfort of her very own car seat.

“It will help us to go out together, to go out [as] a whole family,” says Bakana.

Chancebi’s car seat came from NeighbourLink, at no cost to the family except a phone call.

Thanks to a new partnership between NeighbourLink and Kidseat Recyclers, many like it will be making the same trip from vehicles where they’re no longer needed into cars, trucks and vans where they’re a necessity – either that or a recycling bin, but never the landfill.

“We want to keep as many car seats as possible out of the landfills,” says Melanie Risdon-Betcher, one of two directors at Kidseat Recyclers and co-host of 88.9 Shine FM’s morning show. She estimates more than 700 car seats have been recycled since the program’s inception in 2010.

“We are looking for partners and sponsors to help expand this much-needed program. Without us there is no option for car seat recycling.”

But Kidseat Recyclers isn’t only helping the Calgary community go green by recycling – they’re also facilitating the reuse of car seats by partnering with NeighbourLink.

“In our partnership, NeighbourLink agrees to be a drop off location for Kidseat Recyclers where people can bring used, expired car seats, pay the $10 levy fee and we will store them until Kidseat Recyclers picks everything up,” says LeeAnne Alexander, manager of volunteer and operating resources at NeighbourLink.

“If someone drops off a car seat that is still useable at any Kidseat Recyclers drop-off location or Round-Up Clinic, NeighbourLink will get it, test the seat and be able to give it out to low income families.”

In the past, NeighbourLink’s car seat wait-lists have been full, but the warehouse shelves empty. Now warehouse employees can’t get the car seats out to families fast enough.

“Since the beginning of our partnership in April, we have received close to 30 car seats that we are able to give out to families in need,” says Alexander.

NeighbourLink now needs volunteers who can deliver car seats to clients and give babies like Chancebi a chance to see the world.

For more information about volunteering with NeighbourLink or donating a car seat to Kidseat Recyclers, visit www.neighbourlinkcalgary.ca and www.kidseatrecyclers.ca.

Our July E-Letter: Short & sweet like summer

2011-07-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

We hope you have an awesome time stampeding, backyard barbecuing, spending time with family and friends and more this July. Soak the summer up!

Things haven’t slowed down one bit here at NeighbourLink. Let’s just say 90 televisions were donated by the Sandman Hotel last week – you get the picture!

In this month’s e-letter, meet some of the children whose families we help. And if a donation of 90 televisions sounds crazy, wait until you read about the 106 single mattresses donated by Mattress Mattress - all of which will be going to children and youth 18 years old or younger. It’s all here in our short and sweet like summer July E-Letter.

One of our biggest needs these days is volunteer groups who can rent or wrangle up some trucks and deliver larger items to families in need. Call LeeAnne at 403.538.7314 if you’re interested!

We'd also be grateful for donations of brooms, mops, toilet plungers, shower curtains, shower mats, laundry baskets, cutting boards and vegetable peelers. Got extras? Donate ‘em! Drop them off Monday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as well as between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Fridays. Keep in mind we’re closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.

Bed bugs?! Bah, humbug! Soon 106 low-income Calgary kids will be ‘snug as a bug in a rug’ in brand new beds donated by Mattress Mattress' Matts 4 Kids program

2011-06-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

NeighbourLink's LeeAnne Alexander (L) and Nikki
Golnik (R) stand in the shadow of a stack of mattresses
donated by Mattress Mattress. Soon these twin beds
will be welcomed into the homes of children and youth
in need around Calgary. Thank you Mattress Mattress
for your generous donation!

Today, over 100 children are waiting to receive free beds from NeighbourLink. A few weeks from now, each will be sleeping soundly in their very own single bed donated by Mattress Mattress.

“It brought tears to my eyes to know that soon there will be less kids in Calgary sleeping on the floor,” said LeeAnne Alexander, manager of volunteer and operating resources at NeighbourLink.

Coincidentally, helping Calgarians in need ‘up off the floor’ is mutual lingo used by both NeighbourLink and Mattress Mattress for their respective LIFFE Support (Low Income Family Furniture Essentials) and Matts 4 Kids programs.

“People need to be made aware of just how great this need is,” said Lori Fecho, vice president of Mattress Mattress Inc.

“Matts 4 Kids has been our own charity since 2005 and our aim is to provide much needed mattresses for camps, shelters and kids in need,” Fecho added.

“Our mission is to get as many children off the floor as we can.”

At NeighbourLink, Alexander is continually trying to beat back wait-lists by finding donations to meet client demand.

“I was so happy when Lori told me they would donate enough twin mattresses to help bring down our wait-list,” she said.

Alexander’s next task is to secure a donation of approximately 90 single boxsprings and frames, or else nearly $6 thousand to purchase them. After that, her assignment will be to find volunteers who can help deliver these beds to their young new owners.

As for me, my assignment will be to capture the story of one child who receives a new bed - keep checking back for Part II!

Team Apache delivers hope - and household items - to families in need of home sweet homes

2011-06-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

Five NeighbourLink clients received practical, hands-on help June 17 thanks to four hands-on helpers from Apache Canada Ltd.

Jacqueline and her team of volunteers traversed the city delivering kitchen tables and chairs, beds, a loveseat, entertainment unit, crib and more to Calgarians in need - young and old alike.

Thanks Team Apache for your hard work! If you're interested in being a delivery volunteer too, contact LeeAnne at lalexander.nbl@storehouse39.ca or 403.538.7314.

Volunteers needed during Stampede Week!

2011-06-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

If you aren't volunteering at Stampede, consider volunteering for NeighbourLink! Since different agencies take holidays during Stampede week, NeighbourLink volunteers fill the gap by delivering extra food hampers.

How it works:

You'll drive from your home to one of several Calgary Food Bank depots - likely the one that is closest to where you live. The volunteers there will help you load up your vehicle with a client's groceries. You'll then drive to the client's home to drop their hamper off.

You must have your own vehicle and be available during one or several weekday mornings, as that is when the depots are open.

Delivery volunteers in demand

2011-06-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

These volunteers have driven up, stepped out, and filled the gap for low-income Calgarians without adequate access to transportation. NeighbourLink clients - many who are living in isolation thanks to language barriers as well as health and financial issues - get a knock on their door by these guys. What are they doing there? Dropping off free baby supplies, furniture and household items that the clients have ordered from NeighbourLink. Our clients have probably said it already - but thanks again, volunteers! Phone LeeAnne at 403.538.7314 for more information about how you can drive up, step out, and fill the gap on behalf of your neighbours in need too.

Ted

Tony and Tetley

Jennifer

Brightening the homes of families moving out of Brenda's House

2011-06-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

Did you know?! Brenda’s House is a transitional shelter and re-housing program for families who are experiencing homelessness. The ‘re-housing’ part is where NeighbourLink and Brenda’s House have connected. We’re one of the many community resources to which Brenda’s House support workers refer their clients along the road to permanent housing. What do we do for them? Supply them with all the furniture, household items and baby supplies we can so that they’ll thrive in their home-sweet-homes. So far this year 1,276 items have been distributed to Brenda’s House clients.

Introducing our newest team members!

2011-06-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

Allison, Office Admin & Bookkeeper, keeps NeighbourLink's finance department running
smoothly. She allocates designated donations accordingly so we know how much money
we have to purchase diapers, formula or any other item we're in desperate need of.

Joanna has returned to NeighbourLink for a second summer as a student employee
in our Call Centre. She takes clients' calls day in and day out, arranging for their basic
needs to be met via our programs. She also arranges NeighbourLink volunteers to
pick up Calgary Food Bank hampers and deliver them to hungry Calgarians.

Drake will be busy all summer working as a swamper on NeighbourLink's truck -
delivering couches, beds, cribs and more to families in need, as well as picking up
donations of these same items from generous Calgarians the community-over.

PepsiCo Collage

2011-05-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

Pictures say thousands of words - and as you can see from the pictures below, our great volunteers from PepsiCo sorted what seemed like THOUSANDS of baby clothes on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

A note to our wonderful donors: we are not accepting baby clothes at this time due to the generous volume we've already received! But please keep those donations of everything else baby-related comin'.

If you and a group you're involved in are looking for a hands-on volunteer opportunity, consider sorting donations in our warehouse. Call LeeAnne at 403.538.7314 to get sorted - I mean started :)

NeighbourLink's version of 'The Princess and the Pea'

2011-05-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

NeighbourLink staff Kayla (left) and Nikki (right) unload and pile high several single beds that were purchased thanks to a generous donation from Apache Canada Ltd. These beds will soon be providing disadvantaged children, youth and adults alike with peaceful sleeps - something they've perhaps only dreamed of!

We'd love to involve YOU in creating comfortable homes for families who have overcome homelessness and those who are at risk: donate gently-used or new bedding and pillows to outfit these beds for your neighbours in need. Visit www.neighbourlinkcalgary.ca's Donate Now page and scroll down to 'Gift in Kind' for more info about donating, or phone our Donation Line at 403.538.7395.

Stopping Struggling: NeighbourLink clients are moving forward in life

2011-05-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

Juggling bills, struggling to make ends meet – it’s worth it when your little one is snuggling in your arms.

“I want Keelan to grow up with options,” says Ashleigh, 18, who attends the Louise Dean School for pregnant and parenting teens.

She and partner Michael, 20, along with their 9-month-old boy Keelan, are on the verge of another move. This time they’re relocating from their northwest basement suite into a rental that’s closer to Michael’s work on the east side of the city.

“With all the furniture NeighbourLink gave us, the place is too small here!” laughs Michael from the kitchen.

Much-needed dressers, chairs, a kitchen table, crib and playpen – first donated to NeighbourLink by generous Calgarians – now take up residence in the couple’s home.

Their other furniture, including two couches and a television, were all provided by supportive family and friends.

“I hope that we don’t struggle our whole lives,” says Ashleigh, who wants to have a happy family more than anything else. “We are [happy] right now – and I don’t want that to change.”

Sherry, 50, is taking steps to stop struggling too.

Calgarians’ donations of gently-used second-hand furniture have “filled in the corners” of her home, providing her with everything from garbage cans to baking dishes to a double bed.

One of the avid reader’s favourite pieces is her bookshelf.

“I don’t know what I would have done,” said Sherry, who had no choice but to flee her home in October of 2010 and leave almost everything behind.

After couch surfing at her mother’s and renting a basement suite, she too is on the verge of moving again – this time into a subsidized apartment that will cost her half the rent she’s paying now.

Sherry has epilepsy and first heard about NeighbourLink from a social worker at the Foothills Hospital.

She shopped the aisles of Goodwill and Women In Need Thrift Stores, searching for anything she could afford to buy to furnish her home.

“The stuff that I couldn’t buy or that places didn’t have, I knew I could get from you guys,” says Sherry. “I’m telling you, it’s fantastic!”

Our Spring & Summer Newsletter is out!

2011-05-10T10:01:00.000-07:00

Outstanding NeighbourLink volunteer honoured at Volunteer Calgary Leadership Awards

2011-05-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

Howard Christensen must be Calgary’s most travelled man – within the city limits, mind you. He’s journeyed not so much to the far corners of the world as to the deep pockets of the quadrants.

“The girls upstairs knew very well that if they had a hamper to deliver that nobody else could take, it didn’t matter, I’d go anywhere for them,” says Christensen, 82.

The ‘girls upstairs’ are NeighbourLink’s HelpLine operators – women on the frontlines of Calgary’s war on poverty.

Calgarians in need phone them in order to access free furniture, household items, baby supplies, bus tickets, Calgary Food Bank hamper deliveries and more.

That way the money clients do have can be used to keep a roof over their heads – because what good is a bed without a room in which to sleep, or a crib when you and your child are living in and out of shelters?

The ‘deliveries’ part is where Christensen has driven up, stepped out and filled the gap for NeighbourLink clients during the past seven and a half years. Seven and a half hours is approximately how much time he spent volunteering each weekday, delivering food hampers in the mornings and baby needs in the afternoons.

“Oh, I’ve got memories!” says Christensen as he recounts some of his experiences on the doorsteps of low-income Calgarians’ homes and lives...Read more on the front page of the May edition of City Light News!

AfterSchool employees get extracurricular at NL

2011-04-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

City of Calgary employees were elbow-deep in teapots and strainers, mugs and dishes the morning of April 20. It was during school hours that these ten volunteers – the AfterSchool team from the Children and Youth Services Division of Community & Neighbourhood Services – sorted, labelled and packaged donations at NeighbourLink. Thanks to their efforts, families in need will be enjoying cups of tea and straining pots of pasta all over Calgary after requesting and receiving these items from NeighbourLink in the days to come!

“We enjoyed the opportunity to give back to Calgary’s less fortunate. In our division we often work in a similar area, providing services to children and youth in need. The time spent at NeighbourLink was part of our team retreat, so it provided a great platform for our afternoon discussion around our 2010 team milestones and future goals. In addition, I think a few of our members will keep NeighbourLink in their minds when they are donating in the future,” said Zorian Klymochko, one of the volunteers.

Thank you, Calgary AfterSchool team!

Neonatal nurses support infants in Calgary in more ways than one

2011-04-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

NeighbourLink's LeeAnne Alexander (L) accepts a $1,000
donation from Karen Lasby (R) from CANN/ACIIN.

It takes just seconds to scribble a signature. Perhaps less for those who do it regularly – those like Ron MacLean and the Montreal Canadiens. Their seconds of scribbling have resulted in a $1,000 donation to infants in need in Calgary.

Many thanks are owed to the Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses/Association canadienne des infirmieres et infirmiers en neonatologie (CANN/ACIIN) which raffled and auctioned off a signed MacLean puck and Montreal jersey among other Heritage Classic hockey memorabilia at their annual conference in Calgary this past February.

A donation to a local charity in the conference host city is an annual CANN/ACIIN tradition. Karen Lasby, conference co-chair and western CANN director-at-large, says NeighbourLink was chosen to help them continue their “outstanding support of families-in-need and their young infants.”

NeighbourLink's Infants & Children Under 2 (ICU2) program provides baby essentials like diapers, formula and cribs to infants in need whose parents can't afford to purchase these supplies on their own.

The CANN/ACIIN donation will help fill the gap for babies living in poverty, as well as take a world of weight off parents' shoulders - parents who are trying to raise healthy, happy families on a scant income.

Our awesome volunteers work hard...and have fun!

2011-04-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

Ladies from Lutheran Church of the Cross sorted donated baby clothing on April 15.

A warehouse volunteer sorts (and occasionally plays with)
toys for young children whose parents who can't afford to
purchase them on their own.

Drop off those second-hand car seats!

2011-04-14T09:11:00.000-07:00

NeighbourLink is pleased to be partnering with Kidseat Recyclers! We are now considered an official Drop-off Location for those who want to recycle and potentially donate their second-hand car seats.

Seats that pass inspection will be redistributed to low-income Calgarians who request free car seats via NeighbourLink's HelpLine (403-209-1930). Those that do not meet legal standards will be recycled via Kidseat Recyclers for a $7 recycling fee.

In order to be re-used, donated car seats must:

be clean and in good condition
have no history of damage
have a Canadian manufacturer's label
not expire within two years

NeighbourLink’s address is 3751-21 St. NE and our drop-off hours are between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday. We are closed from noon-1 for lunch. Check out the NeighbourLink Donation Guide to see what other gently-used items you can donate to your neighbours in need.

In 2010 NeighbourLink redistributed nearly 60 car seats. Let’s make it more this year, as well as keep thousands of unusable seats out of our landfills!

Never seen a 'thank you' card like this before!

2011-04-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

Found this decorative Peruvian plate today, given to us by a client family in June, 2007. The broken English makes it even more beautiful! Here's what it reads:

"We dedicate this words to whom have been so kind and generous with us, for those who has been extremely care and helpful, for all of your unconditional friendship and emphatic. NeighbourLink, we lend this reminder to you, as it shows of our eternal gratitude for your valuable support. ICU2 Program, thank you for your intensive care and unbelievable warm service."

April E-Letter: Volunteer Calgary Awards and more!

2011-04-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

The signs of spring are out and about: robins in trees, geese flying north, rumors of crocuses blooming...Just as these things lift our spirits in hopes of warmer weather, so do new kitchen tables and chairs, loveseats, strollers, cribs and more lift the spirits of our clients.

We'd love for you to read our April E-Letter - we think it will be another sign to you that spring is here and hope is in the air!

As always, thank you for your uplifting support.

Basic resources for living: dressers and crib mattresses arrive at NeighbourLink!

2011-03-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

66 crib mattresses and 75 dressers will have Calgarians in need of all ages leading more comfortable lives in their homes around the city. The resources were purchased with financial donations from Jay Westman and the B'nai Brith Gentlemen's Dinner respectively, contributions which are much appreciated by NeighbourLink staff and clients alike!

"I feel good now, knowing that I don’t have to go into my closet and look for my clothes at the bottom of it," said Melissa, a client who received dressers from NeighbourLink for herself and her two young girls and teenage son earlier this year. Her family also received beds and baby supplies.

"As a result of the support of the community, my family has proper bedding and dressers for our children and ourselves!" she added.

75 + 66 = 141 clients will be feeling the same way as Melissa in these coming weeks as they receive their "proper bedding and dressers" too.

NeighbourLink staff Kayla and Nikki unload dressers into NeighbourLink's warehouse.

Forklift operator Lorne unloaded four pallets of crib mattresses - and will
soon be delivering them in the NeighbourLink truck to clients around Calgary.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

2011-03-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy Spring!

We hope you enjoy our March E-Letter, with its pics of volunteers, tips for what to do with your spring cleaning STUFF and more...

Enjoy!

Volunteers accomplish 'great feat' for 35 Calgarians

2011-03-08T10:44:00.000-08:00

A network of community-minded businesses, churches, families and individuals, all working together to help Calgarians in need – that’s what NeighbourLink is all about.

And the fruit of that cooperation was plainly seen Thursday, March 3 when 30 volunteers and 15 trucks from Perpetual Energy Inc. pulled up to NeighbourLink for an afternoon of philanthropy in action – and on wheels.

Their time spent delivering basic furniture, household items and baby supplies to 35 families living in poverty all over Calgary is the latest link in a chain of events that began at a church in December 2010.

“My wife, Shelley, was the parish nurse at Foothills Alliance Church,” said Jeff Green, VP of production operations and administration at Perpetual Energy. “We found out about NeighbourLink as one of the agencies in the city that the church worked collaboratively with to help families in need.”

The Greens were inspired to help deliver a few cribs as a couple when they heard of the challenges NeighbourLink faces in getting cribs to clients.

“Our volunteer experience in December was fantastic, but we realized that the need was much bigger,” said Green. “We knew if we could bring more people back to help we could bless more families in need.”

“Luckily I work at a company who encourages employees to participate and give back to the communities in which we work.”

Green went back to his workplace and mustered the troops, resulting in the delivery blitz on March 3 that NeighbourLink employee Kayla Bergen called “a great feat.”

“Perpetual Energy did amazing when delivering their hampers; they were so easy to work with and willingly helped one another while loading all 15 vehicles,” said Bergen, who organizes volunteers and prepares client orders in NeighbourLink’s warehouse. “We were able to get all of them loaded and on their way in just over an hour.”

Manager of Volunteer Resources LeeAnne Alexander says blitzes like these are big bonuses for NeighbourLink clients.

“Large groups of delivery volunteers are a huge asset to NeighbourLink because of the size of some of our waitlists,” she said. “Being able to get this many items out to our clients at one time is an opportunity to reach a large amount of people waiting for something as simple as a crib.”

In the end, everyone is happy; parents can rest easy after tucking their children into comfy, safe cribs at night. NeighbourLink staff can be more efficient at getting basic resources for living out to neighbours in need. And our volunteers? They’re made aware of a whole new Calgary – and the opportunities that are at their fingertips to lend a helping hand.

“There are more families in need than we realized, even in the communities in which we live,” said some of Green’s coworkers. “We need to do this again…we should try and bring family members with us.”

NeighbourLink in Metro today discussing rising gas prices

2011-03-08T09:05:00.000-08:00

Between our generous volunteers who spend time and money driving back and forth across Calgary delivering everything from cribs to couches to can-openers to families in need, AND our own NeighbourLink truck that does both deliveries and pick-ups of donations, rising fuel prices affect our daily operations in a big way! We talked to Metro about this yesterday...see the results in this great article online...Metro - Support groups fight rising costs

City of Calgary collects cribs 'n things for a cause

2011-02-24T10:10:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to the City of Calgary for running a No Crib for A Bed drive this February. Thanks also to Ed and Grant for dropping the city's donations off at NeighbourLink: two cribs overflowing with children's things!

Convoy of cribs crosses Canada for benefit of low-income Calgarians

2011-02-17T09:45:00.000-08:00

Low-income parents will be tucking their toddlers into cribs instead of dresser drawers and laundry baskets thanks to Dorel Distribution Canada's (DDC's) donation of 120 cribs and 54 crib mattresses.

The shipment of cribs arrived at NeighbourLink in northeast Calgary all the way from eastern Canada on Feb. 7, followed by their counterparts on Feb. 16.

DDC President Mark Robbins first heard about NeighbourLink's baby program and its wait-list for cribs in an article on CBC Calgary's website last December.

"We were struck by the urgent need of the crib wait-list and were more than pleased to try and help fill the void as quickly as possible," said Robbins. "Dorel's focus has always been the health and welfare of our children. It is an honour for us to participate in this worthy initiative."

DDC contacted Linda Woody, Communications Manager with the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, to facilitate the donation.

The rest is history in the making, as now NeighbourLink clients will only have to wait a handful of days instead of several months to receive cribs.

"We were so excited when we first got the call from JPMA telling us about Dorel's generous offer," said NeighbourLink's Manager of Volunteer Resources, LeeAnne Alexander. "Receiving this size of donation completely free of charge for NeighbourLink is such a blessing. Dorel has covered all the costs involved with this shipment - all we have to do is make sure the babies who need these cribs have them as soon as possible."

The cribs and mattresses were transported courtesy of Canadian Freightways, a TransForce Company (TSX: TFI-T). DDC is a division of Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.A; DII.B), which is the world's largest manufacturer of car seats, as well as a lead-manufacturer of many other juvenile products.

Delivery man 'makes the day' of Calgarians in need

2011-02-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

Our delivery volunteers are vital to NeighbourLink's health. And to that of our clients!

Imagine a single mom of three who has ordered free essentials via NeighbourLink's HelpLine trying to catch a bus and navigate the sidewalks to our warehouse with her little ones in tow. Or consider an elderly gentleman in need of a new bed. A truck and a set of strong arms to pick one up from NeighbourLink might be hard come-by. Hence the need for people like Tony Morrish.

A busy father of three, he sets aside time to volunteer at NeighbourLink twice per week. Everything from bookshelves to baby lotion find their way into his 'delivery' vehicle - and end up in the homes of low-income Calgarians who are unable to afford these essential items on their own. Thanks for your hard work Tony!

Are you interested in volunteering at NeighbourLink? Visit www.neighbourlinkcalgary.ca or phone LeeAnne at 403-538-7314 for more info.

It's good to be HIP - and helpful!

2011-02-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

Over 1,000 baby items were donated to infants in need by students all over Calgary and area in January. Many thanks to Humanity in Practice (www.behip.ca), especially their H!PKids program! And to each student who participated, an A+!

The donations were dropped off at NeighbourLink's warehouse on Friday, Feb. 4 (see photos below), from which they will then be distributed to babies living in Calgary without adequate diapers, formula, toys and more throughout the coming months.

The month-long donation drive was part of H!PKids' October to May efforts to help nonprofit agencies meet their goals, at the same time as planting seeds of volunteerism amongst the next generation. February's project? Helping Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary prepare families for time spent in the wilderness at Camp Adventure in Kananaskis!

Kiwanis Club cares for infants in need

2011-02-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

The thanks were mutual on Monday when our Manager of Volunteer Resources LeeAnne shared lunch with representatives from the Kiwanis Club of Calgary-Foothills.

The club donated $1,000 to NeighbourLink's baby program in a cheque presentation that morning.

Club President Keith Graham wrote later, "Thank you very much LeeAnne for your very interesting and informative talk with us at Kiwanis. You made a lasting impression on our group which I'm sure will influence our continued participation in the ICU2 program. We wish you well in your work in this most important area of service."

Thank you for your support, Kiwanis Club of Calgary-Foothills!

Tonic team gets to know NeighbourLink

2011-01-31T15:20:00.000-08:00

Sorting diapers, checking cribs and packaging miscellaneous baby items aren't quite the same as selling tickets, planning prizes and arranging event details - but the Tonic team knows how to do them all, and do them well! The organizers of the Tonic Mix It Up for a Cause fundraiser spent the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 27 getting to know NeighbourLink better by volunteering in the warehouse. We are ecstatic to be receiving the proceeds from the Tonic party happening Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. at Hotel Arts! You don't want to miss the best Calgary has to offer in music, food, drinks, prizes, auction items and more. Visit www.tonicforacause.ca to get tickets - $75 each. See you Saturday!

$90k in the bank for low-income Calgarians!

2011-01-26T13:15:00.000-08:00

NeighbourLink CEO Walter Twiddy grins from ear to ear while holding a generous cheque from the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund for $90,342.47.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated to the 2010 campaign, as well as to the Calgary Herald team for administering this fund out of the goodness of their hearts!

Bejewelled teens raise funds for families living below poverty line

2011-01-21T14:04:00.000-08:00

Grade 11 students Lykera Syrnick and Kayla Barry raised $550 for NeighbourLink thanks to their love for jewellery combined with their heart for Calgary's less fortunate. The two Rundle College Senior High School students invited a local jeweller to host a sale at Syrnick's home where a percentage of sales would be donated to NeighbourLink. The results were $400 made from profit-sharing, plus another $150 from donors unable to attend the fundraiser.

"This was a great experience to raise money for a great cause, selling something that we love which is jewellery," said Barry. "I hope that more people can find the time to help out fellow Calgarians so they too can live a full and carefree life."

Party guest and jewellery purchaser Christine Lee thought much along the same lines. "What a great way to help out a good cause and to get some nice presents," she said.

In mid-January, NeighbourLink CEO Walter Twiddy met Syrnick and Barry along with Syrnick's mother Lori Chomik at Rundle College for a brief but heart-warming cheque presentation.

"It's so refreshing to see youth engaged at the heart level and to see parents not just standing by, but actively helping their children make a difference in our city," said Twiddy.

Syrnick and Barry hope to continue raising awareness amongst their classmates about the issues low-income Calgarians face. Next up for the girls, said Chomik, is possibly a donation drive for household items and furniture that will help NeighbourLink get low-income Calgarians 'up off the floor' into furnished living spaces they can call home.

No Crib for A Bed snowballs for Moms of Sundance

2011-01-17T14:04:00.000-08:00

"Our aim was to fill one crib - and it snowballed!"

One crib became six, and a group of five moms became over 70 as the Moms of Sundance began their No Crib for A Bed drive in early December.

Organizer Rhona Beaumont was ecstatic to see the e-mail she sent to her network of friends, family and fellow cul-de-sac moms go "viral."

"We are all moms - who better to relate to the need than a group of women who have also been there, and know the expense of a new baby?" said Beamont.

"Also, a few of us are from the UK," she continued. "We know what it is like to arrive in a city with nothing, not knowing anybody, no job, or where to ask for help - and I am sure there are moms who have also immigrated to Calgary who are on your list!"

There certainly are new Canadians on NeighbourLink's crib wait-list, which is being whittled down thanks to donors like the Moms of Sundance.

Some members from the social group met NeighbourLink clients first-hand while delivering cribs and baby items to moms-in-need later in December.

Thanks to all who participated in No Crib for A Bed this past holiday season! And keep in mind that the program can be run all year-round...Phone LeeAnne at 403.538.7314 for more info.

Join the NeighbourLink team!

2011-01-05T09:59:00.000-08:00

NeighbourLink is currently accepting resumes for the following position:

Temporary Warehouse Helper:
NeighbourLink is looking for a temporary helper in the Warehouse Department working on the truck doing deliveries and pick-ups for clients and donors. The position is for February 1 to 28, paid, full time, Monday to Friday. If you are interested, please contact Sara at stwiddy.nbl@storehouse39.ca.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

2010-12-24T09:01:00.000-08:00

NeighbourLink sends wishes for a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and every one of our clients, donors, supporters and volunteers!

May the glad tidings ring true and bring you joy and peace in your own lives this season.

Please be advised that NeighbourLink will be closed from noon on Dec. 24, 2010 until Jan. 3, 2011. If you have participated in a donation drive for NeighbourLink and would like to book a drop-off or pick-up time, please leave a message with our Manager of Volunteer Resources, LeeAnne Alexander at 403-538-7314 or call back on Jan. 3 or later. If you would like to make a furniture or housewares donation, please call our Donation Line at 403-538-7395 on or after Jan. 3.

Have a wonderful holiday season and thank you for supporting NeighbourLink.

If CTV and NeighbourLink have their way, there'll be cribs for beds for infants in need in Calgary!

2010-12-22T09:15:00.000-08:00

Check out CTV's broadcast about NeighbourLink's No Crib for A Bed program - it was on the 6 o'clock news Dec. 21: No Crib for A Bed on CTV

NeighbourLink on CBC

2010-12-21T08:49:00.000-08:00

On Dec. 9, NeighbourLink's No Crib for A Bed program was featured on CBC News! Check the CBC article out here: Crib shortage leaves 120 babies on wait-list and the broadcast here (NeighbourLink's segment begins 23 minutes in): 6 p.m. CBC News Dec. 9, 2010.

Shell volunteers package 9,966 diapers

2010-12-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

As well as sorted the following (and more!):

19 packages of formula

40 boxes of baby cereal

3 bottles of baby oil

11 tins of diaper cream

4 bars of soap

16 bottles of baby lotion

21 bottles of baby wash

27 sippy cups

17 crib sheets

Three orders of baby supplies and household items were also delivered to clients, and last but not least, ten cribs were set up and re-packaged for quality control. Thanks for your hard work, Shell! Your efforts will help us mobilize these donations out to clients faster!

First No Crib for A Bed pick-ups bring joy to warehouse

2010-12-17T15:07:00.000-08:00

Warehouse staff Kayla, Dale, Lyla and Lorne stand in front of NeighbourLink's truck, which was bursting with No Crib for A Bed donations picked up from Gymboree Play & Music, McKenzie Towne School and Trimor Home Finance. Thanks to all who have sacrificed money, time and energy for babies less fortunate!

Herald Christmas Fund coverage continues

2010-12-14T09:20:00.000-08:00

Calgary's social agencies help at-risk youth reach potential by Paula Arab

Radio marathon jingles all the way to $80,518.70!

2010-12-10T12:02:00.000-08:00

NeighbourLink employees Alexis and LeeAnne take the calls of generous Calgarians on the afternoon of Dec. 9 during the Give Us A Jingle Radio Marathon hosted by Mix 97.7 at Chinook Mall.

$80,518.70 was raised for the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund recipients:

Boys and Girls Club
Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids
Calgary Food Bank
Community Kitchen Program
CUPS
Fresh Start
HomeFront
Inn from the Cold
McMann
NeighbourLink
Sonshine Community Services
Youville
The alex Community Health Bus
The Women's Centre

Thanks to all who donated, volunteered and organized this event, including Mix 97.7 and the Calgary Herald! Read more at Christmas Fund charity radiothon tops $80,000.

$2,000 in Diapers and Formula Donated

2010-12-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Holy Trinity Anglican Church for donating $2,000-worth in diapers and formula! Pamela and Jennifer are seen below dropping off the donations at NeighbourLink's warehouse. Parents calling our HelpLine will be pleased to hear our operators say, "Yes!" instead of, "Sorry, we're out," when they request diapers and formula for their children.

Read All About It!

2010-12-07T10:46:00.000-08:00

Peruse NeighbourLink's December e-letter and learn about...

...Walking a mile in some new Canadians' winter boots...
...Our involvement in the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund...
...Program needs and updates...
...How to contact us...

Enjoy!

NeighbourLink is in the Calgary Herald today!

2010-12-01T08:39:00.000-08:00

Check out the following video, which is also posted on heraldchristmasfund.com! Then click the link below to read Herald reporter Stephen Hunt's article about NeighbourLink, hot off the press today. And finally...consider donating to the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund :)

NeighbourLink finds way to lift spirits with necessities

1,400 Toys for Calgarian Girls and Boys

2010-11-30T09:03:00.000-08:00

Fourteen Bank of Montreal volunteers gave Santa's elves a run for their money the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 24 as they sorted roughly 1,400 toys in NeighbourLink's warehouse!

These recruits from BMO branches across the city also packaged 69 bags of winter clothing for boys and girls - naughty or nice, no matter!

Thanks so much for your help, BMO. The toys you sorted will be given to other local charities to distribute this Christmas, and the clothes you packaged will keep children warm for many winters to come.

Winter Won't Stop Her

2010-11-24T09:20:00.000-08:00

Despite the cold weather, Francine VanderGriendt keeps on truckin' - literally - through Calgary's slippery streets to deliver not only Elmo and this package of diapers, but also many more baby items to families in need.

"I am happy to deliver food and baby hampers for NeighbourLink Calgary. I understand what a very tiny but necessary part of a long series of extremely dedicated people and events this is. The clients are so grateful. Every 'thank you' that I have received belongs to those that make this happen daily for so many of our struggling Calgarians."

Devon 'Gets the Dishes Done' at NeighbourLink!

2010-11-23T10:04:00.000-08:00

If it weren't for nine volunteers from Devon Canada Corporation's legal department, dozens of Rubbermaid bins would still be stuffed full of random kitchenware and stacked high in NeighbourLink's warehouse. But thanks to Devon, that isn't the case! On Nov. 15, volunteers sorted not only dishes and other kitchen items, but also linens, into sets ready to be inventoried and distributed to Calgarians without.

A Tuesday in the Life of Kirsten

2010-11-23T09:02:00.000-08:00

From NeighbourLink's warehouse to a client's doorstep, follow NeighbourLink volunteer Kirsten Hegg as she delivers baby necessities to a family-in-need in Calgary.

It's a Wrap!

2010-11-22T15:16:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Deerfoot Mall's administration team seen below, five cribs along with diapers, mobiles, formula, toys, baby clothing and more were picked up for distribution to babies living in poverty across Calgary. Thank you to all who participated in the No Crib for A Bed drive by dropping off donations in Centre Court Nov. 1-14!