If you’re like me, your life has changed immensely over the past few months. COVID-19, a novel coronavirus with 8.39 million diagnoses worldwide, has kept us inside and changed the way we work, pursue healthcare, and interact with others. Unfortunately, COVID-19 also impacted the medical and charitable arenas. According to Coast Reporter, medical charities are experiencing unprecedented levels of demand – with limited fundraising ability. However, Variety, a Canadian charity that supports families with children with special needs, is going online on June 24 for “Mobility Day,” designed to raise money and support more families.
If you want to join in, just head to their Facebook page on June 24th starting at 1pm.
Mobility Day
The Need for Fundraising
Mobility Day is planned by Variety – the Children’s Charity, a charitable nonprofit organization out of British Columbia. Currently, the charity supports 1,000 children.
Generally, the grants provided differ based on family needs. They can be as low as $2,500 or as high as $50,000; the higher costs are usually for resources like a van or other specialized equipment.
However, COVID-19 caused an unprecedented rise in assistance requests over the last 5 months. Over 300 children and families are still asking and waiting for support. The rise is attributed to COVID-19 health difficulties, such as public health restrictions, resource scarcity, and medication scarcity. The difficulty in supporting these families, says CEO Cally Wesson, is that most fundraising events were canceled as it is still unsafe to be in large groups.
Mobility Day: June 24
On Wednesday, June 24, Variety will host their 2nd ever Mobility Day to raise money for families in the Sunshine Coast region. Over the last 12 years, 164 children from this area have received 227 grants. Additionally, the event will encourage education and inclusivity. The aim is to highlight these families and recognize the importance of giving.
Currently, Variety has shared a few cool elements for Mobility Day:
- A virtual concert from The Washboard Union
- A painting done live (and sold) by comedian Graham Clark
- A special appearance from 6-year-old Ethan, who has nemaline myopathy, a rare genetic muscle disorder. Live during the fundraiser, Ethan will receive a special adaptive bike!
- Previously, Variety has helped Ethan’s family purchase other equipment, such as orthotics, a ceiling track, and wheelchair accessories.
If you’re looking for more information on Mobility Day, you can take a look at Variety’s website. Ultimately, they are looking to raise around $10,000. Additionally, there are a few possible ways to contribute:
- Tune in on Facebook at 1pm on June 24!
- Consider donating to Variety. Any amount helps.
- Text “KIDS” to 45678 to donate $20.
