Guerrilla Giving Calgary

Support Abroad

greenlandpaper — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:33:52 +0000

I have given out a few “packages” without posting them lately because I’ve been just giving the envelope to people on the street who may need it.

During this time of immense crisis in Haiti I have donated money to the Canadian Red Cross. If you see it in your heart to help those in need I encourage you to do so. My hopes and prayers are with those ravaged by the earthquake and also with you.

Simply “Why?”

greenlandpaper — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:31:18 +0000

After a recent radio interview with CBC I am now present to the fact that many people who have come across the blog are curious about the ”WHY?” of Guerrilla Giving. The answers are quite simple and include things like:

1. it’s fun

2. there is something indescribable about knowing a small gift of money will put a smile on the recipient’s face

3. it could brighten someones otherwise grey day

4. giving without judgement gives me a sense of freedom

5. it may encourage other Guerrilla Givers

6. those Calgarian’s who are already giving might decide to have a little fun and send us a photo and blog post we can add to the website

7. giving is a natural state of being

If you’d like to hear the radio interview it’s attached below

Gift #3 – I Wanna be in Pictures

greenlandpaper — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:05:39 +0000

The concept of “celebrity” has always struck me as odd – that someone could be “famous” for appearing on the big screen – so today our gift at the Plaza Theatre in Kensington is not about paying homage to Hollywood’s elite but rather to Calgary’s “stars”…. the people who live here, work here, prosper or struggle here. I hope today’s gift puts a smile on someone’s face, someone who may decide to take in a movie with fresh popcorn or pass on their gift to the busker down the street, playing the bagpipes (and on a day like today likely freezing his fingers off!)

Great News!

greenlandpaper — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:04:27 +0000

I heard a great news item at dinner tonight – about a woman here in Calgary who, upon entering a downtown parking lot, discovered that the man in front of her had paid for her daily parking in addition to his own. Now that’s what I call Guerrilla Giving!

To whoever that guy is I’d like to say thank you. Thank you for letting people know that happy things happen all the time, giving freely without judgment is fun, and the world is open to change.

Gift #2 – Ice Cream for Everyone!

greenlandpaper — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:19:30 +0000

Now who doesn’t love ice cream? (well except for lactose intolerant people I mean) Ice cream is good any old-time isn’t it? You can have it when you’re celebrating or commiserating, happy or sad ice cream is always there. I think I love it because it reminds me of childhood, when things were simple and plain – our biggest decision was chocolate or strawberry.

Perhaps hot chocolate would be more appropriate on this blustery fall day and whoever finds today’s gift can decide for themselves how important or unimportant, nostalgic or not, ice cream really is.

Gift #1 – A Snowstorm of Winter Wishes

greenlandpaper — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:39:14 +0000

Michelangelo said “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it”…. and we hope someone discovers the IT that is GIFT before it get’s snowed over!

Perhaps, since Calgary’s experiencing it’s second “fall” snowstorm, someone will put their gift towards a hot cup of coffee, some rain boots or new woolly mittens. Winter always makes me think of crisp mornings when my boots crunch through the previous night’s snow, allowing me to see my path behind me, too bad it doesn’t also show me the path ahead.

Here’s hoping you enjoy the first of many winter days.

It’s a Brand New Day

greenlandpaper — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:39:01 +0000

You may have heard about the family who has gone Guerrilla Philanthropist by leaving gifts of money around the Vancouver area. They call it “(r)evolutionary philanthropy”. I’ve been doing a similar thing here in Calgary only without the twist of “planting” the gifts around town. Instead I’ve always made sure I have cash in my pocket and when someone approaches me for money on the street I give them $20, $40, $60 – whatever I have. I really like the idea of leaving guerrilla gifts all over town though and have asked GG of Vancouver for permission to use thier idea, and happily they said yes.

So… the Calgary version of GG now begins. Keep an eye on the blog as I’ll be giving, hiding, photographing and posting.

If you’d like to check out the Vancouver blog you can find it at http://www.guerrillagiving.org

Have an amazing day!