The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of the Parts @WeDay #NationalWeDay 2015 #Ottawa

If you have ever had the privilege of attending a We Day you can't help but be moved by the sheer size and magnitude of the event. April 1st, 2015 I attended the 50th We Day in Ottawa. More than 16,000 youth attended this by invitation only event. You can't buy a ticket to this event, you need to earn your way through acts of kindness, action and support both locally and globally. 

All those kids taking action to make their world a better place. But sometimes we lose sight of the individuals that make up those 16,000 plus. During this event, the 50th We Day celebration, I had the privilege to bring the focus down to the individual level and speak with two youth from Ottawa making a difference. 

Meet Trinity, a student from St. Leonard School. Trinity is actively involved in the school's Free The Children group and activities. 

• Her FTC school group has something called the Bucket List. Group members make a bucket list of 10 random acts of kindness they will do over the school year. It includes what those acts will be and the number of times the member plans to do each act of kindness on their list. I am happy to report that Trinity completed her bucket list! 
• Trinity and her friend had fundraisers such as a bake sale and lemonade stand during a garage sale to raise funds and awareness.
• She and another student gave a speech at a mini town hall meeting; one presented in English and the other in French.
• Trinity also attended a youth summit Keep the Promise, which dealt with child poverty.

Image via Keep the Promise Student Summit - Ottawa

Meet Tyler, a student from St. Matthew High School. Tyler has been busy working with Free The Children at his school for 3 years. 

• Tyler was one of twenty students to receive a Caring Canadian award from the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada April 1st, during the National We Day celebrations. 

Caring Cdn Award Recipients We Day 2015 Image via David Johnston on twitter @GGDavidJohnston

• He has participated in Scare Hunger, We Create Change Clean Water, and We Create Change for Education to name a few. 
• I asked Tyler what his favourite activity he has participating in, and he told me it was making Global Care Packages for kids in Haiti, (which included clothes, school supplies, etc) and becoming pen pals with one of the children. 

Now take these two inspirational kids and multiple them by thousands of kids just like them, working hard to make positive change in their world and we can easily see how We Days around the world have grown to be such big events and celebrations of what can be done.Ultimately We Day isn't about big but rather how small can become big, and the cumulative effects of individual acts. In my post, One small action a day = impact and change in a big way! it is easy to see why small grass root efforts are so important to our world and to our youth who are the leaders of tomorrow.

The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of the Parts.

It was a real privilege to meet Tyler and Trinity and I hope their stories inspire you, and you'll share their stories with a youth in your life so they can see what enormous potential "we" all have to bring about change in some way everyday.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about We Day and some inspirational kids.

Note: I have not been compensated for this post. This post is merely to share my experience at National We Day 2015. I had the privilege of attending National We Day 2015 and interviewing these Ottawa Youth as the guest of TELUS. Being given the opportunity to participate in this event is very much appreciated, and I thank them for this.

1 Small Action Per Day = Impact & Change In A BIG Way @WE_365 #App @FreeTheChildren @TELUS

On April 1st, my son and I will be attending National We Day in Ottawa (thanks to TELUS). As you can see from my post about last year's event, National WeDay...oops there goes another rubber tree plant, We Day is a very inspirational event and a real privilege to attend. It's impossible not to be impressed by these kids and their efforts to make their world a better place. With We Day just around the corner it got me to thinking what motivates these kids to do the things they do? What makes them think they can make a difference? Once again this quote comes to mind:
"I wonder why someone didn't do something. Then I realized, I am somebody."

Many years ago, in a community centre, at a playgroup, over coffee and crafts a conversation was started between 4 stay-at-home moms that went something like this:

Kris: "I'm concerned about my kids exposure to pesticides being sprayed on lawns in our neighbourhood. I'm thinking of starting an awareness campaign and putting together information on the health effects of these chemical pesticides, as well as alternative lawn care options. Is anyone else interested in being part of this?"

Cathy, Maureen and Kirsten: "Yes!"

And so began our band of 

"Grass Root" Activists
and the 
Breathe Deeply (My Lawn Is Pesticide Free) Campaign

Our goal was two fold: increase awareness about the effects of pesticides, and offer effective alternatives to pest management and lawn care. Each of us had different skill sets and contributed in different ways. I designed the signs, t-shirts, and applied for the grants. Others made signs, researched and wrote the pamphlets, or acted as campaign spokesperson and media contact. Together we managed to create 3 pamphlets, each delivered to more than 1500 houses, make and deliver more than 600 signs, distribute more than 100 t-shirts, and successfully apply for 3 different funding grants. We spoke on the effects of pesticides, a need for a ban, and about lawn care alternatives to our Community Association, at City Council meetings, to local Girl Guides, and set up information tables at local events. We were featured on local TV and radio, and in newspapers, including The Globe and Mail. 

Global and Mail: Tuesday, August 29, 2000
Janis Hass (Special to The Globe and Mail) 
"Outside, a homemade wooden sign on the front lawn sums up her (Kirsten Devenny) philosophy. It reads, "Pesticide Free." ... Over coffee in her living room, Mrs. Devenny discusses the use of pesticides on lawns with her neighbours Kris Wong and Cathy Canton. These stay-at-home moms have banded together to promote pesticide-free lawn care in their leafy Nepean neighbourhood of Crystal Beach. They're concerned about the effects of pesticides on the health of their children..."

Chemical pesticides for cosmetic purposes on privately owned land were banned in Ontario in 2009.

What does this have to do with youth and change?

Well from the time my kids were toddlers they saw me involved in efforts to make my world a better place. All of our kids were there when we met at playgroup for strategy meetings, or went to the printers to pick up pamphlets. They helped us deliver pamphlets and signs throughout the neighbourhood, and were there for the TV and newspaper interviews. They were central to all of this because ultimately it was about them. I like to think that by setting an example we "planted the seeds" for our kids to grow into critical thinkers, and engaged citizens of Canada and the World. I hope through our actions they learned they have a voice, and the power as one individual to bring about change. It is imperative youth understand how their local actions can have a huge global impact, and that they must be the "somebody to do something".

At the time of the Breathe Deeply Campaign there were no apps, smartphones or tablets, but now there are, and lots of ways youth can connect and help to bring about change and awareness.

The We365 app was developed by Free The Children and TELUS to give youth a way to connect, track volunteer hours, and accept challenges to bring about awareness and change. It is a platform that makes sense to youth and they are comfortable with; an app and social media. 

So to celebrate National We Day, youth and their high hopes to make the world a better place, why not join the one action per day movement.

Install the free app,

WE365 APP

and start moving those rubber tree plants!

Be sure to follow 

WE Day on twitter

Free The Children on twitter 

WE365 on twitter 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about National We Day and WE365 app.

NOTE: I was not compensated for this post, but am an invited guest of  TELUS to National We Day 2015. In support of We Day I choose to post about my experience, but am not obligated to do so. In my mind cooperation between organizations like Free the Children and brands like TELUS is something to be supported. I strive to live by their motto "Give Where We Live" not just when presented with opportunities to do so, but also by making opportunities to do so.

.@TELUS #everystepcounts fitness challenge ends but my fitness journey continues #wearabletech

I was thrilled to be included in the TELUS #EveryStepCounts fitness challenge. I felt very honoured to be stepping along side the 14 other bloggers, but if I am honest I was also more than a bit intimidated. It was a two week fitness challenge and many of the other challengers already had active lifestyles and included fitness into their daily lives. The same cannot be said for myself. Regular workouts and fitness had always been part of my pre-parent life, but having celebrated my 29th birthday more times then I care to admit I found myself facing the reality of many years of inactivity. I have known for some time I needed to do something about this and take better care of myself. I even wrote a post in January stating 2015's word was SELF, but putting a plan into action proved more challenging than I thought, especially the fitness and health part. This timely fitness challenge was the kickstart I needed. 

It started with a fitbit Charge and a visit to the TELUS Learning Centre to meet with my Telus Health Tech Specialist Alex. Alex helped me set up my fitbit Charge, and addressed my questions regarding the fitbit itself, the fitbit App and using them with my phone. I appreciated the fact he was not only wearing the same fitbit, he had also tested it for several days before the appointment so he could speak from personal experience about this particular wearable tech. I knew TELUS had tech specialists you could make appointments with, I just never realized to what extent an appointment could save both time and frustration while getting to know a new device, how it works with other devices, and how to get the most functionality from them. Alex was professional, helpful and very personable. I highly recommend taking advantage of this free TELUS service with any new device. 

For more information on wearable tech and which one is best for you check out the TELUS blog. They have a number of helpful posts including It Takes Two: 5 Fitness Tips for You and Your Partner, and Ready Tech Go: Wearable Fitness and New Year's Resolutions, plus several more scheduled for later this month and March.

Personally I found it very easy and straight forward to track my progress on my fitbit, my phone or my laptop. The fitbit Charge was easy to use with excellent battery life. It comes in 4 colours with an adjustable band that is comfortable to wear. I love that it combines both a watch and tracking functions. Right on the fitbit you can see the time, steps, miles, flights, calories burned, and incoming call notification. As you achieve different levels of steps, flights or goals you'll receive achievement badges and notifications. You can track your meals and calories in versus burned, and your sleep including hours slept and amount of restless sleep. 

The one thing I wish the fitbit App had is a Canadian food data base that recognized and scanned Canadian food UPC barcodes. Currently only US or UK are available and I found most Canadian food UPC's I tried did not scan. 

Image via TELUS

On February 2nd, 2015 a two week fitness challenge began. Not exactly knowing what I would be up against I set what I thought was a pretty tough but attainable challenge for myself of 10,000 steps per day. I soon found out the competition was fierce and I would have to be aiming for 15,000+ per day just to keep up. I will admit I got a tiny bit competitive and pushed myself to step for hours a day. I found new ways to get the steps in. I would step and tweet and step and post. I was stepping while I brushed my teeth or made meals or folded laundry. I would take several trips to bring the laundry upstairs rather than trying to do it all in one trip. I didn't want to be the one who couldn't keep up after years of inactivity. Plus there were a few awesome prizes to be won. 

By the end of week one I was maintaining a position in the top third but out of the prize contention. But here is the thing; overweight out of shape me was stepping up to the challenge and pushing myself to step 25,000+ steps a day, but not for the prizes, but because I had lost 6 pounds in just over a week by stepping and tracking my calories and meals. This was the best prize of all and became my motivation to keep stepping up to the challenge everyday. My goal is to continue to get between 15,000 and 20,000 steps in each day. 

I can't thank TELUS and my fellow competitors enough for helping me to get started on a road better health. Getting started is often the hardest part and without this challenge I honestly do not feel I would have had this success or the determination to keep going and truly make this the year of SELF. I have a long way to go to reach the weight and fitness level goals that are right for me but I feel inspired by my success to continue on this journey. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about fitness and making sure #everystepcounts.

Just an FYI: I wrote two other posts about my #everystepcounts journey: 

My Journey of 1000 Miles Begins With a Single Baby Step

and

My EveryStepCounts TELUS Fitness Challenge Playlist

Note: I received a Fitbit Charge from TELUS free of charge in order to participate in the #everystepcounts fitness challenge. All opinions are my own and reflect my personal experience with the brand and product. 

My #EveryStepCounts @Telus fitness challenge #playlist to keep me motivated to take one step beyond everyday.

As some of you may know from my post yesterday My journey of 1000 miles begins with a single baby step I am participating in the TELUS fitness challenge using the Fitbit Charge to track my daily steps. 

To stay motivated I put together my #EveryStepCounts playlist:

1. One Step Beyond - by Madness

2. Step by Step - by New Kids On The Block 

3. Walk This Way - by Aerosmith

4. I Walk the Line - by Johnny Cash 

5. Man in Motion - by John Parr

6. These Boots Are Made for Walkin' - by Nancy Sinatra

7. One Step Up - by Bruce Springsteen

8. Walk on the Wild Side - by Lou Reed 

9. Steppin' Out - by Joe Jackson 

10. 500 Miles - by The Proclaimers

11: Steppin' Stone - by the Monkees

12: Just Keep Walking - by INXS

13: Walking on Sunshine - by Katrina and the Waves

14: Walking - by Mary Mary 

Well that's my playlist for the 14 day Telus #EveryStepCounts fitness challenge.

I hope you'll sing and follow along with me on my fitness journey under the hashtag of #everystepcounts.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about music to keep my walking one step at a time. 

Shopping spree to help #protect #wildlife @TELUS #shopwildly is the best retail therapy I've had in years!

Everyone needs a little retail therapy now and then ... including our wildlife!

Tis the season for giving and I was given the opportunity to #ShopWildly and help TELUS decide how to spend $5 Million dollars to protect wildlife and the environment.

 Doing Good Deeds for Wild Things sure feels good!

TELUS has committed $5 Million dollars over the next 5 years 

to programs, causes and initiatives to protect wildlife and our environment. 

I like to spread the funds around. A little here and a little there. 

All those littles add up to a big difference. 

You can make a difference too! Simply by shopping at a TELUS store you can help to protect animals and environments that desperately need it. For every TELUS store purchase you will receive a code for up to $10 that you can redeem at the TELUS Shop Wildly site, where you decide which animal to support with those funds.

Even if you don't make a purchase you can participate by visiting the TELUS Shop Wildly site. You simple click on SHOP NOW and you will receive a code to spend on the intuitive of your choice. 

 Once you're done shopping be sure to share using the hashtag #ShopWildly and let all your friends know so they too have the opportunity to do Good Deeds for Wild Things.

Join the #ShopWildly conversation with @TELUS on twitter and TELUS on facebook!

This is the best retail therapy I've had in years!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about wildlife!

Note: I was not compensated this post, but I did have the privilege of spending a $1000 Shop Wildly code to support and help protect the wildlife of my choice. You can see how I spent that $1000 Shop Wildly credit in the image above.

Tis the season to get into #HolidayMode & connect with loved ones! Here are #CTOL & @TELUS Mode Switch (off) Tips!

We all love our tech, and even Moms like me are big fans of their smartphone for convenience, to stay connected, shopping and social media. I might even be a bit addicted to 2048...what?!

But as the holiday hustle and bustle, parties and visits begin it's easy to forget to slow down, unplug and focus on connecting with family and friends in a meaningful way. This is a time to create memories not just tweet about them.

We have a rule in our house:

NO TECH AT THE TABLE -PERIOD!

In our house we eat dinner together everyday, and meals are a time to connect, talk and be social 

(not by way of social media, but face to face). Conversations are open for all to join in, and share. If you need a one on one conversation the dinner table is not the place. 

My kids actually quote me "it social time so I can share my opinion" or "you shouldn't have brought it up at the table if you didn't want us all to talk about it."

I admit my kids need a reminder from time to time about this rule, especially if you are dining out or visiting where the conversation is adult focused. I personally believe the art of conversation and listening are skills best perfected through practice while free of technology. But for those who can't completely unplug here are a few ideas to at least use your tech to bring family and friends together.

• Skype with relatives and friends that live out of town. Better yet get a group Skype party going, or have all the grand kids Skype the grandparents together.
• Play your favourite Holiday Playlist for everyone while gifts are being opened. This is my Sounds of the Holidays Playlist, I hope you like it!
• Look up holiday recipes and How To tutorials about cooking and baking to WOW your family and friends with your culinary skills.
• Look up How To tutorials to make DIY gifts and decorations, or cool ways to wrap gifts to make them really special.
• Search for cool holiday activities and ideas. 
• Search and make a list of the times and channels all your favourite holiday movies are playing. Or check out Huffington Post's list of  Best Christmas Movies and TV Show Episodes on Netflix Canada. Then put the tech away while you and your family watch them together!

Are you wondering if you need to unplug more and get into #HolidayMode?

TELUS Holiday Mode Quiz

Image via TELUS

If the answer is yes then maybe it is time to check out some of the
 TELUS Tips & Tricks for a perfect #HolidayMode

Image via TELUS

Be sure to share your #HolidayMode plans, ideas, experiences, photos, and your successes or fails (we know you will do better next time) on twitter with me @CantonCathy and @TELUS using the hashtag #HolidayMode. I would love to read all your stories and shares!

Happy Holidays 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about getting into Holiday Mode.

Note: I have not been compensated for this post. I love the idea of finding ways to better connect with friends and family over the holidays, and thought this TELUS campaign was worth sharing with my readers.

#NationalSafeDrivingWeek - #ThumbsUpPhonesDown the right direction on the road to safe driving!

Reminder: To Put Your Phone Down When You Get Behind the Wheel. #NationalSafeDrivingWeek #ThumbsUpPhoneDown 

I've been driving for many years, far more than I'm willing to admit, but lets just say I've turned 29 a number of times. I know we like to think that with age comes the wisdom and life experience that helps us make better choices, but I'm not sure that's always true. In particular I don't think it's true when it comes to safe driving. 

Unlike the youth of today, many of us "mature" drivers have not taken a driving course. More likely than not our parents, sibling, or friend taught us to drive, and since then we've had no additional training or refresher courses. Meaning a great many of us do not know how a 4-way stop works and who has the right of way, or how to properly navigate a traffic circle. 

FYI:

Yield The Right of Way

Image via Ontario Ministry of Transportation

Driving Through Roundabouts

Image via Ontario Ministry of Transportation

We think our years of driving somehow compensates for distracted driving, and not giving the road 100% of our attention. We think we are fine if we've only had a few drinks, or to to drive while taking medication that warns us not to drive while taking it. We think it's only the young kids that speed, or are distracted by others in the vehicle.

BUT
We are wrong. 

I have two boys, both of whom are making their way through the courses and phases of getting their licence. My youngest is the one pointing out people speeding, not indicating, running a red, or not coming to a full stop at a stop sign. He is the one noting that the person beside us in talking, texting, or READING while they are driving. And guess what ... the majority of the time it is not teens and young drivers, it's us, the ones who have had our licences for ages and should know better and be modelling  better behaviour to our kids and those young drivers around us. 

Maybe we just need a little help, or a refresher every now and then. Given National Safe Driving Week started today I thought I would share a few tips of my own and links from TELUS  and the Canada Safety Council to help get us headed in the right direction on our road to safe driving.

Image via TELUS

Cathy's Safe Driving Tips ... as easy as 1,2,3.

Cathy's Tip #1

See this bag...

It came from the dollar store. What if you buy one and put your phone in this every time you get into your car and leave it there until you get out. 

Cathy's Tip #2

See this note. 

What if you put this somewhere in your vehicle so you or anyone else that drives your vehicle can see it as a reminder to give their full attention to the road.

Cathy's Tip #3

Take some time every year to review the rules of the road and then actually follow them! 

Safe and Responsible Driving

Traffic Signs and Lights

Some Tips from TELUS:

Helpful Links:

TELUS ThumbsUpPhonesDown Campaign and Links to Distracted Driving Resources

TELUS Surveyed Canadians on their distracted driving habits and this is what they found.

It's not just alcohol that impairs.via The Canada Safety Council

Yep, just me Cathy thinking about Distracted Driving and how not to be. 

Note: I was not compensated for this post in any way. The purpose of this post is merely to share what I consider to be valuable information and resources with my readers.

About A Boy... Oliver can #TelusAllAbout his day! Thanks @Telus for #Giving!

Photo via Oliver's Story - OCTC 

Do you ever see a post, video or hear a story that restores your faith in humanity? A story that reaffirms your thoughts about a brand and why you choose them as your brand? We have power as consumers and it is one way in which we have a voice. I try very hard to support brands that give back, support worthy causes, and have a policy or vision I can get behind. I want the brands I use to get involved in the communities they sell to on a day to day basis. I love it when they support smaller local initiatives, and not just the larger national ones with big media coverage. One such brand for me is TELUS.

In my opinion we all have a voice, or at least should. Oliver should have a voice too! Telus helped to give Oliver a voice in a very real sense! Telus is in the communication business, and how fitting that they helped Oliver communicate with those around him in a meaningful way! Please take a minute to watch this lovely video about Oliver and how he found his voice with some help from his friends at Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre (OCTC) and TELUS.

Oliver's Story: Telus helps Oliver speak for the first time through the power of technology via TELUS Blog

In the end it is all about a boy, or girl, parent, brother, sister or friend. So this Thanksgiving I encourage you to use your Voice, reach out and Communicate, Give and Thank those in your life that make it special! Remember those around you who need your help to have a voice, and then smile at Oliver's story and that he now can "Telus" all about his dreams and plans for the future.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about a boy.

Note: I was not compensated in any way for this post. The purpose of this post was merely to share what I felt was a story worth sharing. I hope you feel the same way and share this story as well. 

National #WeDay...oops there goes another rubber tree plant! We are the ants Change is the plant!

I am tired! I have returned after have been given the privilege to attend National We Day 2014 in Ottawa. Not just attend, but to attend and participate in a press Q & A with Mark Kielburger, Spencer West and youth activist Hannah Apler, and a red carpet photo opp with performers like Simple Plan, Neverest, JRDN, and Kardinal Offishall. I am tired, but it is such a good kind of tired. As I sit here reflecting I have a few thoughts to share.

I can't get the song about the ant moving the rubber tree plant out of my head. Truth is, it perfectly sums up the grit and determination so many of the youth and the speakers at We Day have. Grit! Such a good word! Against impossible odds, they try all the same, knowing that every action, can effect change, and in the words of Spencer West they "Redefine possible". 

"I wondered why someone didn't do something. Then I realized, I am somebody." - Author Unknown. Be the someone that does something, about poverty, discrimination, and bullying. Be the person that supports the efforts of our youth to effect change. Be an example that inspires others to follow your lead. Be the someone that makes the realization that you are the someone to do something.

Another thought I can't quite shake is how we might go about organizing events in this format for youth to bring their parents and adults they know (kicking and screaming if necessary) to hear their voices, passions, and determination. For us to understand they will not take no for an answer or accept the status quo, so we as adults need to join them or get out of the way! I think once you have seen the energy and determination of people on that scale, you cannot ignore it. They were more than 16000 strong on April 9th, 2014, and with each We Day they grow in numbers and determination.

I am sure as the days pass I will see what the true impact of this day was on myself and Lindsey (a friends daughter who came with me). It will be interesting to see how that ripple effect plays out. 

Be sure to check out the We Day Website for details on upcoming events, and initiatives like We Are Silent April 17th, 2014 the We Create Change Tour  and Telus' We365 Challenge and App.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud after National We Day 2014. 

Wed Apr 9th is National #WeDay in #Ottawa & thanks to @TELUS I'll be going!

I am so excited! 

Wednesday April 9th is National We Day in Ottawa, and I have been given the privilege to attend thanks to the generosity of TELUS.

First let me say that I have not been asked to write this post or compensated for my words. In fact I have not been asked or compensated for any of the posts I write about people, charities, campaigns, or initiatives. I write and share about people, events and sometimes brands I personally like or have impressed me. Often they do not know I have written posts about them until after they are published. You will always find a disclosure that clearly states if and how I have been compensated. That having been said, lets get move on to the good stuff.

I have spent most of my life volunteering in some way, and donating, time, money and materials. I do so both on a local level and in larger more global ways. I recycle, and compost, and feel strongly that we all owe a debt to society. We all need to care for those who can't care for themselves, and help those who cannot help themselves. We all have a responsibility to make our world a healthy and sustainable one. So you can see why We Act and We Day warms my heart each time I hear about them. 

I love how Free The Children started and continues to grow and give youth the power to make change. It gives youth an opportunity to be good citizens of the world. I love that is was started by Canadians but has such a global reach. I am blow away by the ideas, passion, dedication and talents our youth have. Each year We Day  lines up amazing speakers and guests, to inspire our youth, but more importantly it brings together an amazing group of kids that have earned their way to We Day through their acts of charity and eco-friendly initiatives. 

The We Act program provides students and teachers with materials and support to make our youth active citizens both on a local grassroots level, as well as in a global capacity. In fact We Day is all about small local actions and campaigns that have a positive global impact. It is important for our youth to feel empowered and that each person and act can make a meaningful difference no matter how small. It is important for us all to see that the cumulative impact of many small acts and individuals  is huge.

Maybe the most important impact that our youth and events like We Day have is to set an example for adults who may have become a bit jaded or cynical. To show us our actions matter, and like it or not the youth of today want a say in the world in which they live in, not just the job of cleaning up the earth we have left them with. 

My message to you is to take the time to talk to youth around you and in your lives, and ask them about what they are doing, believe in, and what is important to them. Support them in activities and initiatives that matter to them. Join in if you can. Be inspired by them to make change and take action yourself. Take the time to follow the many We Day activities throughout the year on social media such as We Day on Twitter .

Lastly take a minute to say thank you to brands such as Telus for the opportunities they support and make possible such as We Day, and the many charities such as Ride for Dad, Walk to Cure Diabetes, Tree Canada, to name a few. Why not participate in one of those events or in the TELUS on twitter activities such #31daysofgreen, #TelusDayofGiving, and the many WWF Canada and Telus Critter fun that goes on there and on the TELUS Facebook Page. Embrace their Motto: Give Where We Live, then watch the ripple effect it has.

I am so excited and hope I can share with you in a meaningful way, all the inspiration, passion, and good I have the privilege to bear witness to on Wednesday April 9th, 2014. In this regard I very much appreciate that Telus has been kind enough to provide me a cell phone with free data, since no wi-fi is available during the event, and thus making it possible for me to share the experience with my followers in real time. As well, I received a ticket for a youth of my choice to join me, so my friend's daughter will be joining me for this very special event. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about about National We Day in Ottawa.

Note: I have received from Telus a cell phone with free data to use since no wi-fi is available during the We Day event. It was not offered in exchange for any obligation on my part to post about this event or about Telus as a brand. All opinions are my own, and I wrote this post because I think We Day and the support of brands like Telus for such events is important and worthy of note.

 I am honoured to have been chosen for this incredible opportunity.