I completed my Timeraiser pledge at several organizations, including Junior Achievement of Central Ontario, Evergreen, Tapestry New Opera, and Flash Forward Photography Festival. My professional background, which includes graphic design, translation, writing and editing, allowed me to work with these organizations in a meaningful way. From research and writing at Evergreen, PR at Tapestry, and event support at the Flash Forward Festival, my skills were in need and I was happy to lend the time. While these volunteer experiences contributed to my professional development, it also fostered personal growth, which I have found to be the most rewarding aspect of the whole process. I look forward to continuing the strong relationships with individuals and communities that have grown out of her Timeraiser pledge.

Check out Julie's Artwork here!

I first learned of the Timeraiser through a friend who was involved with the inaugural Calgary Timeraiser event back in 2006.  I've attended three Timeraiser events in the past, but felt I didn’t have enough time to commit 125 volunteer hours.  Last year I started my own architecture firm - KaBeN Design Group and was looking to get more involved in the community and meet like-minded people. I knew the Timeraiser was the perfect platform in order to achieve these goals. I completed his pledge by primarily volunteering with Green Calgary, The Calgary Compact and The Art Gallery of Calgary. My experience with The Calgary Compact grew and I'm a now a full time member of their board.  Thanks to my positive experiences, I plan to continue volunteering my time and explore other volunteer opportunities. This experience has been very rewarding and enjoy the variety of people you get to meet and work with.  I have come to appreciate that although my time is limited, the benefits of helping an organization, meeting like-minded people and having fun is a invaluable life experience.

Check out Keith's Artwork here!

Working full time and being a mother of two, I was a little worried about how I was going to fit in a 115 hour pledge into an already hectic schedule.  The approached that seemed to work best was to view this as an opportunity to become engaged at a higher level in both my personal and professional life.  I am now is the chair of the parent council at my daughter’s school and coach my daughter’s under five soccer team.  Rather than taking time away from family, I am able to be a better role model and mentor for both my daughter and son.  On a professional level, I was able to put my communications and PR skills to work as a volunteer with Pillar Non-Profit and on the Board of Directors and as the Chair of the Bowl for Kids Sake committee for  Big Brother’s Big Sister’s of London. The volunteer experience further deepened my belief that we need to be actively engaged in our communities and give our time and energy to  ensure that we are raising our children in a supportive and caring environment where we look out for others as well as ourselves.

Check out Clare's Artwork here!

I bid on one of my best friend’s paintings, which gave me an added incentive to complete my pledge with a number of different organizations in Hamilton. I started by joining my grandmother’s fundraising committee for Ginat Eden – a rehabilitation farm for young women in Israel. They held a luncheon and auction last June and were able to raise over $20,000 for the cause. I was also paired with a young woman from Thailand through the organization Culture Link, where I was able to help her with school assignments and practice English over dinner, as well as North By North East, an annual music festival in Toronto. Currently, Laura sits on a fundraising committee for Cottage Dreams, an organization that places cancer survivors in donated cottages for a week to rejuvenate and relax with family after treatment. I am thrilled to be able to give back to my community while doing activities that pertain to my life interests. I plan on continuing to find new avenues to donate my time and money to causes that are near and dear to me
Check out Laura's Artwork here!

I approached my Timeraiser pledge with the objective that volunteering is about helping people; the goal was to leave others smiling.  I took a self directed approach to satisfy my interests. From feeding the homeless at several lower east side kitchens and participating at the Harvest Celebration for the Urban Aboriginal Intergeneration Garden to organizing a Singles Volunteer Meetup Group which brought individuals together for volunteering opportunities.  I found it’s not just about helping but connecting, talking and sharing on the most basic level.  What you put in for time… you get out two fold in smiles.  My involvement with Timeraiser was a great experience!

Check out Lara's Artwork here!

As an arts administrator, actor, and theatre enthusiast, I went straight to work by meeting and volunteering with several non-profit theatre companies and festivals including The Citadel Theatre’s 2009/10 season and Workshop West Canoe Theatre Festival.  One of my highlights of the year was volunteering in public relations and performance with ELOPE Musical Theatre.  I worked both on-stage and behind the scenes in a community theatre production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.  ELOPE was so impressed with my skills that they later asked me to serve on their Board of Directors.  I'm looking forward to many more years of volunteer hours in Edmonton’s theatre community.
Check out Nicholas's Artwork here!

I am so happy to share my Timeraiser experience with anyone who will listen. While I spend most of my days working with nonprofits through my work with the HR Council for the Nonprofit Sector, the Timeraiser gave me a chance to see my community and the amazing local nonprofits through a different lens. Over the past year, between a busy work schedule, settling into a new home and raising three kids, I have volunteered for a number of local organizations, including LiveWorkPlay and the Ten Oaks Project. I was recently named the president of the board of directors of the Ten Oaks Project and will continue to increase the size of my civic footprint for years to come.