community spirit
I created open4bizyyc on Instagram early in the pandemic in 2019, as a place to get updates on what was happening with our local, Calgary based small businesses. This would include businesses such as restaurants, retail shops, artisans, collectives and farmer's markets. I was reposting and sharing as much information as possible to let Calgarians know which businesses were still open, offering products and services, and how businesses had adapted during this challenging time.
Today, I continue to repost for small businesses in and around Calgary, and have created a unique social media space with a local focus.
To find out more about open4bizyyc and Calgary small businesses, follow open4bizyyc on Instagram
I started volunteering with Stephen’s Backpacks Society in 2015 when our daughter collected donations instead of gifts for her 7th birthday, and that’s how our relationship began.
Stephen’s Backpacks Society was started by a five year old boy in Airdrie, Alberta. Through a variety of support programs, generous donations from their local community and various corporations, they have taken over 30 families permanently off the street and delivered over 85,000 backpacks filled with necessities for school, personal hygiene, footwear and toys for kids in need.
I am proud to be on the Board of Directors for this incredible, grass roots, non-profit organization. I volunteer my time filling backpacks, working on the Four Seasons of Hope projects furnishing homes for families in need, along with providing design and photography whenever it is needed.
To find out more about Stephen’s Backpacks Society, please visit their website at stephensbackpacks.com