North of the 49th | Amway

It’s italics time! Long-term readers of North of the 49th know that means it’s guest post day! I’m thrilled to turn the blog over to Amway Canada’s Communications and Government Affairs manager Angela Abdallah who is supporting a very worthy cause.

As you know, Amway Canada has been a long-term supporter of the Easter Seals Drop Zone event in Canada. This year, for the first time, there will be an event in Amway Canada’s home town of London, Ontario. We encourage you to visit the Amway Canada Facebook page for more details about this incredible venture and we hope you join the Amway team in going over the edge in support of the children and families with disabilities who are supported by Easter Seals.

Without further ado, here’s Angela!

“A number of my friends think I’m nuts! So do some members of my family and many of my colleagues. Despite that, I have to say that I’m very excited about taking that first step off the roof of One London Place on Sept. 29th for the Easter Seals Drop Zone.

You see, it’s not everyday that I get to be a superhero. And it’s not every day that I get to represent this great company of ours right here in our hometown while raising money for a cause that’s very near and dear to my heart.

For those of you who don’t know, Easter Seals Canada is the charity of choice for Amway Canada’s One by One Campaign for Children. That, combined with the fact that Easter Seals has played a significant role in the life of my nephew, Steven, makes my personal support of the Drop Zone a win/win/win for Amway, my family, and Easter Seals.

The great thing about Amway Canada’s support of the Drop Zone is that we have teams right across the country…teams of Independent Business Owners who are also willing to support this great cause. As a matter of fact, the efforts of our IBOs and employees were recently recognized by the Direct Sellers Association who awarded Amway Canada with the 2011 Making a Difference Award at the DSA’s annual conference in Banff this past June.

Is it safe, you ask? Of course! Easter Seals wouldn’t put on an event like this if it weren’t perfectly safe. And I know from personal experience. The first time I rappelled in a Drop Zone event was back in 2005 in Toronto. It was a 16-story building on the corner of Church and Bloor and I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I was completely terrified. So terrified, in fact, that I had to go back and do it again the next year to ‘enjoy’ it. And I did!

Even though you may not want to take that step off the top of a tall building to support Easter Seals, you can still be part of this exciting event. Show your support by pledging someone who is willing to take that leap of faith. And if you live in one of the 13 cities across Canada hosting a Drop Zone event, take some time to check it out in person. We think you’ll be impressed.

Either way, the good work of Easter Seals in Canada will continue and kids like my nephew, Steven will continue to enjoy summer camping experiences, new wheelchairs, ramps, or other services that help to make their lives better.

Let’s all work together to make a difference – one by one.”

There you have it. With events across Canada, there’s sure to be a Drop Zone event in your neck of the woods. And, as Angela said, even if you don’t want to rappel, you can pledge your support to someone who is.

Have you gone over the edge for Easter Seals? Are you planning to this year? We’d love for you to share your experiences, questions, and thoughts on this incredible fund-raising event. Comments, as always, are open!

All the best,

Jay