Every year, hundreds of community events take place across Ontario, raising critical awareness and funds toward a future without ALS. With the pandemic changing the way we work, dine and live, our dedicated community is adapting how they fundraise, too. We’ve compiled a list of some of the amazing and creative ways ALS Canada event organizers are going virtual or adhering to physical distancing restrictions:
Fitness Challenges
Get in Gear
A pair of ALS community supporters set out on a challenge to cycle over 200km in support of ALS Canada and to raise awareness of the cause. Camila Duarte and Elizabeth Travers demonstrated that it’s easy to complete a great summer fundraiser that respects physical distancing measures.
Amount raised: $2,700
Dollars for Distance
Colleen Williams, a dedicated and ambitious runner, set a goal to run 21km on Global ALS Awareness Day on June 21. She asked her network to donate for every kilometre she ran and she partnered with her local running club who matched all donations! Knowing that their gift would make twice the impact gave her donors added incentive to support her! Amount raised: $210
Food Events
Goodies for good
Throughout the month of June, Tiana Van Dyk hosted bake sales with proceeds donated to ALS Canada. She promoted her fundraiser to friends and family on Facebook with pictures of her baked goods and surpassed her fundraising goal receiving 78 baking orders! Amount raised: $4,500
Recipe Challenge
This Facebook fundraising event was a recipe sharing challenge. David LeBlanc challenged his network to recreate different recipes and asked them to record the recipe attempt and share on social. Those who were unable to finish the challenge, were asked to donate to his fundraising goal. Amount raised: $500
Outside the Box Ideas
Burpee Challenge
A throw-back to the community-led Ice Bucket Challenge. Deane Gorsline’s military roots drive him to support others even after being diagnosed with ALS in 2018. Earlier this year, he created a new challenge, with burpees instead of buckets. The challenge issued was to record yourself doing as many burpees as possible in one minute, nominate 3 others, and share the video on social. Those who completed the challenge were asked to donate $10. If you were nominated and didn’t complete it, they were asked to donate $100. Check out one of his videos now. Amount raised: $5,800
Billy Joel brings people together
Musician and piano entertainer, Kim Kinrade, hosted an online evening concert using Facebook Live and collected funds by directing his audience to his ALS Canada
fundraising page. He promoted his virtual event on Facebook and to date his archived event has had 2,400 views! Amount raised: $2,600
These and many other event organizers have demonstrated that there are many ways to continue to host community events during COVID-19 in support of people and families living with ALS in Ontario. Considering hosting your own event? We’ve got lot of ideas and we’re here to support you.
Email us at teamals@als.ca or visit www.als.ca/myALSfundraiser for more information or to register online.