Photo Credit: Maria Gagliardi |
Even though the first inaugural event for WE Day Family was last week, I am still on a euphoric high of what I will always remember as being a motivational, powerful and inspiring evening. My son was picked by his school - the only boy, I must add - to attend the WE Day event during the day. As a single mom, I am very proud of this one-of-a kind 12-year-old who has been volunteering for many different groups and organizations for more than four years. In fact, I was beaming with pride when my son received the wonderful news that he was picked as one of nine students to represent his school.
Photo Credit: Maria Gagliardi |
When we were offered an opportunity to attend WE Day Family later that evening on behalf of Toronto Teacher Mom, we knew it was an experience we couldn't pass up. As a Junior Reporter, my son will be sharing his thoughts on his first WE Day experience in the next few days, so stay tuned!
Photo Credit: Maria Gagliardi |
To this day, I am still in awe of everyone we saw that evening from Rick Hansen and Paula Abdul, to Nelly Furtado and Chris Hadfield who played guitar with the Barenaked Ladies. Yes, you read that correctly! I was blown away by their performance which set the night off like fireworks on Canada Day.
Photo Credit: Maria Gagliardi |
The whole night, I had goosebumps and tears rolling down my face. I know WE can make a difference in this world and there are already so many amazing people out there making an impact. Take the Berry family, for example, whose lives were drastically changed because someone decided to change a DVD for his child while driving. Read the Berry Family's story here, as there is no way I could do justice to the hardships they have endured and their commitment to putting an end to distracted driving. Warning, be sure to have some tissue at your side.
When Gord Downie hit the stage I was moved. I was mesmerized. He was, in a word, omnipresent. While he sang, pictures from the upcoming “Secret Path” film that he has been working on with Jeff Lamire were heartbreaking to watch. A part of our Canadian history that had not been spoken about for so many years is now out and taught in schools today. It is tragic what so many innocent children had to endure in the Residential Schools. To learn more about this upcoming film visit Secretpath.ca
Photo Credit: Maria Gagliardi |
It's amazing to think that the WE Movement began over twenty years ago with two young activists who were courageous and brave enough to set out on a mission to work with developing communities to free children and their families from poverty and exploitation. The efforts of Craig and Marc Kielburger have inspired so many since then, my son included. He has always wanted to start a charity and, after having attended WE Day, he feels even more empowered to accomplish his goal. Thank you for continuing to inspire us and for reminding us that together WE can change the world.
Click here for a blog post written by Toronto Teacher Mom junior report Luis who shared his first WE Day experience.
Click here for a blog post written by Toronto Teacher Mom junior report Luis who shared his first WE Day experience.
- Friday, October 28, 2016
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