WHY I DO

I have been asked many times over the past week by lots of my new followers “Why do you do what you do”? It’s really a simple answer to be honest. I love making people smile, I love helping the homeless and I get great joy in helping the general public see that you should not judge someone solely on their disability because if you do, you’re missing out on their ABILITY.

I want to be clear that when I am asking for help or on my own helping people, this is done with no personal attachment, no previous contact with the person, or charity ( does not include the MH & Disabled BBQ we are having , that’s a personal goal I have . make sure everyone has something to go home with ) I have just seen a newspaper article , watched on TV or hear through email that someone needs help. It’s not hard for me to post a few words in support for a cause or email a company that I know could make an impact in someone’s life. Example:  

Last year I was informed about a young Girl, 23, who was found to have terminal brain Cancer and was given about 6 months life expectancy. After some digging I was able to determine that she was a huge Vancouver Canucks fan and her Favorite player was Alex Burrows, emails and pleas were made to the Canucks organization, the girl received a signed jersey, signed photo and a personalized letter from Mr. Burrows himself. From what I hear the young woman was extremely happy and stated that it was the best Christmas Gift she ever could have gotten, short of a cure for her Cancer. Just knowing that I could bring a little light into her world of darkness was enough for me! That’s why I do what I do.

Like I said it is not hard to RT takes 3 seconds to do and you could change someone’s life. Everybody knows somebody and that’s why I attempt to grow the #SantaArmy so much because you may not know someone who could help a person in need but through RT’s it will find someone who is able to help.

Many of you know my history through following my Blog and I would encourage the new followers to take a few minutes and find my post titled “Who Is Fraser Valley Secret Santa” that will explain all you need to know.

There is so much that we can do as a team, strength in numbers. Will we ever be able to change the world? Will we ever be able to end HATE? Will we be able to stop discrimination against women and the disabled, end the stigmatism that comes with Mental Illness? Probably not, but why not try and try as hard as we can to make sure that every person on this earth is treated with dignity and respect, no one ever goes hungry. Being kind to one person can change the entire aspect of so many people day, it becomes a domino effect. Next time you are out in line in a coffee shop, try buying the person behind you a coffee, tell them Santa Said “Smile it’s a beautiful day” either they smile or look at you strange, but you know that they will tell are their friends what happened and they will be smiling and laughing while doing it, either way you win.

Last week I gave out some tickets to a BC Lions Football game, I asked for someone to enter a Tim Horton’s Restaurant that I was at and when they did speak loud enough for all to hear “I Believe In Santa”, the young man did, the reaction in the restaurant was priceless, in 4 words he made everyone in the store smile and created giggles and laughter. Goal Achieved!!!! I walked past the Man handed him the tickets and thanked him for making others smile.

Maybe one day a company will step up and work with the # SantaArmy and donate items that we can give to the homeless , disabled or to animal shelters like @FMSPCA for the amazing work they do for our animal friends, until that time comes its just us to spread the word about helping others.

Life is so short, most of us have so much, is it really fair that some go without. Does not have to always be money that helps people change their life or day, it  could be some of  your time, a few moments to listen to their story  , a can of dog food for a shelter  or it can just be as simple as a SMILE.

Thank you for your continued support Vancouver and the world

Your friend

Fraser Valley Secret Santa  

Strength in Numbers

The power of the RT..

This week was a great week for you, the Santa Army and for a few young ladies that could have used some help.

When deciding what cause to advocate for I often will take into account the fact of who the person or persons are, what’s the need and is there a way to help the situation. I came across an article in the Vancouver Province newspaper the other morning regarding a couple of young girls in my local area that had fallen victim of a scam on Craigslist. The two girls had spent $500.00 on a couple of tickets to the “One Direction” concert in Vancouver that they had found on Craigslist. Yes, my first reaction is probably the same as your “why are you buying off Craigslist, what were they thinking “? Then as I read down the article I learned that the tickets were so good of a reproduction that a ticket broker had a hard time telling that they were fakes. That’s not what got me, it was the fact I read these young ladies 13-14 yrs old had managed to show initiative drive and dedicate all of their chore money, babysitting money and other various monies that they had earned and saved to this concert and to see their heroes. Thinking to myself I realized yes, the girls were somewhat naive when making such a big purchase on Craigslist but damn it they did everything right up to that point. We all try and teach our children that if you work hard and save your pennies you will be rewarded in the end, that’s what I teach and have been taught anyways. That’s the reason that I wanted to help. So the tweeting and Retweeting began a relentless assault on everyone I could think of that may be able to help. Finally a response from “@StubHub”. Sorry if I flooded your TimeLine.  

This morning I was thanked by a follower for what had happened with the girls and they quoted an article in the paper.  Did not even know it was written! http://www.theprovince.com/touch/news/Good+samaritans+help+scammed+teenagers/8675203/story.html?rel=838332

I would like to think that advocating for these girls made a difference in the outcome. I alone could not and will not take the credit for all of  what the girls have received in lieu of what they have gone through, it was collective group effort but I will give the credit to the power of social Media and recognize the tremendous strength and power just a simple “Retweet” and the participation of a group of people (Santa Army) can have on a person or person’s life that may need help.

Some of the special people I would like to thank for their efforts in helping these Girls

@theprovince   @ Stubhub    @catusclubcafe    Bank of Montreal    @realmaryagnes

I am positive that there are many more and I wish I could thank everyone personally.

On a final note I would like to thank @purdysChocolate for their commitment to community and the extremely generous experience there were able to provide for one of my clients.  I inquired to Purdy’s on behalf of my client, a young man who has Cerebral Palsy and is a HUGE fan of Purdy’s Chocolate, the representatives of Purdy’s were gracious and accommodating and my Client was granted an interview and tasting experience this week. This is prime example of why it is good to give back to your fellow man and your community.  My client stated to me that he will never forget how nice everyone was and for the ability to learn more about his favorite chocolate. They created a fan for life and a SMILE just as big.

Thank you again everyone who commits to kindness and is willing to help the #SantaArmy or anyone else do good deeds for others “ GREAT WORK , ALL OF YOU”

Your friend

Fraser Valley Secret Santa@fvsecretsanta