A Great Learning Experience

Treasured Souls is a charity I founded in 2004 for autism spectrum disorders. Laying the foundation for such an endeavor has been hard work and we finally were able to launch our first event this past April. Short staffed we managed to raise close to $2 500 in a benefit soccer match. It was a modest start but appreciated by the autiim clinic at the Montreal Children's.

It was a bittersweet experience. The first thing we learned was that a person's word or commitment isn't worth a whole lot. We understand we all have lives and that nobody owes us anything. However, it's incredibly disheartening when people bail out without a call or email. But what God takes he gives back. For every two people who fail to support there's always someone who steps in and goes beyond the call of duty. For them we are thankful and grateful.

We approached local radio and television stations and the response was mixed. Radio station Q92 did advertise for us. A special thanks also goes to a soccer show on Team 990 called 'Oranges at Halftime' as they were kind enough to plug our charity. The station itself returned my original call but I was not available and they never bothered to respond to any subsequent messages. Global Television has an afternoon community bulletin and they did not display our ad nor did they respond to our query as to why they did not do so. We managed to get some space in the West Island edition of The Montreal Gazette. Lastly, the Royal Bank - who do give to various events - curiously did not respond to our tiny request either.

There were sponsors that we approached who were extremely supportive. There were no issues with the generous people over at Campea for supplying us uniforms. Printers and t-shirt shop T-Zone placed advertising on the jerseys for free and BPM Communications donated a website for us. Restaurant Pizza Villa (an establishment I have been going to since I was a child) also came through as did Spa Zazen a wellness center in Old Montreal. The friendly management of the Montreal Impact soccer organization opened their season on the road and could not partake in this years event but told us they would like to participate next year should we decide to give this another go. Catalogna soccer complex too deserve a mention for their patience and kind gestures. To them they have earned our eternal gratitude.

But nothing matches the spirit of the players who raised money and made the best of a tough situation. They exemplified that while it is easy to get down and succumb to cynicism, it is even easier to be positive and enlightened - not to mention fun.

Montreal is not a city known for its commitment to civic duty or grass roots charity events. Too much of a 'what's in it for me' mentality prevails. We're a new and small group simply trying to help out. It's clear we have some old stock mentalities to break through. Something tells me that if we are ever to succeed and find a point of stability people who ignored us will come knocking. The problem is Treasured Souls will be loyal to the people - like Helen Findlay over at Usborne books for example - who helped us when we were insignificant. Perhaps we were a little naive in our approach but then again that's the point. Life is hard enough as it is. It should not have to be in situations when members of a community step in to offer goodwill. It would be a shame if we have to go corporate in our structure and philosophy.

Alas, I'm afraid this has already happened. Some companies who specialize in raising corporate funds for charities exist. This suggests that getting corporate money is tighter and more competitive than ever. We will be more savvy up to a certain point but for now we will appeal to the hearts and minds of everyday people. Hopefully we will make inroads and maybe those philosophical trails we lay down will have an overall positive impact. Giving is contagious!

Chalk this up to a learning curve. Time to think about our 2007 event!