In October, Michele Rule logged on to her Facebook to see the Interior Savings $10,000 Local Give Campaign.
Instantly, Rule knew she wanted to apply. Local Give grants 100 individuals, $100 to create a wave of local good. Rule was one of the 100 individuals to be invited to spread kindness. Little did The Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs know how far Rule’s efforts would go.
After discussing some ideas with her husband Frithjof, and her mom Arina, they decided to support the youth and staff at the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs – Downtown Youth Centre.
Rule with an organization in mind, reached out to her community with an invitation to join in on her act of Local Give. They did not disappoint, friends, family and Rule’s social media community rallied together to help raise over $450 to create goodie bags for those staying at the youth shelter. The bags included essentials such as socks, mittens, toiletries, as well as some gift cards and treats from Globally Fair, a local fair trade shop. Not to mention Rule secured an additional donation from her local Starbucks to show their appreciation of the hard working staff at the Downtown Youth Centre.
Rule, her community of supporters and Interior Savings Local Give directly impacted 10 young people staying at the shelter and the six staff members who work in the Emergency Youth Shelter. Her efforts also had an indirect impact on countless others who helped support the initiative.
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“Knowing that they helped spread kindness in our community is rewarding in itself,” said Rule.
Rule didn’t just create a wave she created a tidal wave of local good. Rule’s Local Give story was selected as the winning entry in a contest offered by Do Some Good, a local organization whose mission is to build strong local communities across Canada. Rule won $1,000 to a charity of her choice. Rule chose to make the donation to Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs – Downtown Youth Centre in support of Youth Housing.
“We are so grateful that while we are busy doing our work, people are out there making a difference and reaching out to us to help us do what we do,” said Sarah Mackinnon, Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs Youth housing director
Since Rule’s initial act of kindness, the OBGC – Downtown Youth Centre has received an additional $1,500. These donations will be directed to help with the cost of Motivational Interviewing training. This training will provide 20 housing staff with the ability to become certified in Motivational Interviewing – a counseling strategy that helps staff, coach young people and their families through stages and change, helping them makes meaningful change in their lives.
“This training changes staff into change makers,” said Mackinnon “It is truly transformative, transforming our staff and transforming for our youth.”
Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs are overjoyed and love what Rule has been able to do, supporting young people in the community and the staff whom provide the services.
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