Hearts of Gold

This past week, The Morning Hike had the opportunity and pleasure to interview two very kind people who are at very different stages in their lives. We interviewed the Dean of Business and Applied Arts Graham Thomson on Tuesday and Jackie Doming, a second year communications student here at Red River College on Thursday.  

The interview with Graham went quite well. We spoke with Graham about his participation in a fundraising effort known as Change for the Better. Change for the Better raises money that supports homeless employment programs. 

Graham participated in what is known as the CEO Sleep-out. Graham explained on the Morning Hike that this is supposed to raise awareness about homelessness and not stimulate it. Graham mentioned that it was a wakeup call on how privileged he is to be able to go home to a warm bed. The thing he said that was the most humbling was all the noise he heard down-town throughout the night. He mentioned that he was surprised at how consistently siren bells rang throughout the night.

The event brought awareness to two solutions to ending homelessness: (1) Employment and (2) housing.

Change for the Better is still fundraising - all year round. And they still hope to reach their goal of $150,000. Currently, they are at $111,595.

http://www.changeforthebetter.org/

Jackie Doming, a second year student at Red River College is doing some fundraising of her own. She has started a project called Threads of Hope. This projects purpose is to raise $10,000. This will be donated to the Children’s Wish Foundation. Jackie explained that she was intrinsically motivated to take on a project like this because she doesn't have any brothers or sisters. She further disclosed that her parents come from the Philippines and that the health care system is not as modern as here in Canada. Both of those things combined with her love for DIY activities sparked the campaign to sell clothing and accessories where the profits generated will go to benefit others in need. This indeed is very inspirational stuff.

You can learn more about this project by visiting Threads of Hopes website.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tohclothing

You learn a lot from talking to people and even more from listening to what they have to say. Radio is a great medium for listening. These two very different people, in completely different stages in their lives, one ready to retire one just getting ready to launch their career are out spreading positivity in their own ways. It made me proud to be a part of something, the Red River College community and to have my part, in helping share their messages through radio.

This song is awesome; it's by The Head and the Heart. It's been getting a lot of air time on the Morning Hike these past few weeks.  Enjoy!