'Tis The Season

                     

Silver bells...silver bells...

It's Christmastime in the city!

As Ottawa woke up to its first snowfall yesterday morning, it seemed like everyone was A) making appointments to get their snow tires on and B) realizing that Christmas was just a month away!

And then for some, C kicks in, which sounds very similar to B, but in a different context.

C) Realizing that Christmas is just...a month...away....

It can be overwhelming to think that there's just a month till the biggest holiday of the year.  

Shopping.  Wrapping.  Baking.  Parties.  Kid's Concerts.  Santa Visits.  Family.  

And for others it can mean or even result in stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness & fear.

There's something to be said for balance over the holiday season, and while it doesn't always seem easy, we've complied a few ideas that can help keep your Christmas spirit up, and your stress level lowered.

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1) Stay Active!  We aren't saying that you need to hit up bootcamp or the gym every day for the entire month, but hey, if you can squeeze in a cardio session, a brisk walk outside with a friend, or even a workout at home of sorts, by all means, this will keep your heart rate up in a good way!  If you have kids, get them involved too.  You can have them come up with a great 30 minute workout that you can all do together.  Or if a run on the treadmill solo will make you calmer, you are entitled to that time too.

2) Watch Family Favorites!  This is something that so many of us love to do!  Is there a Christmas movie that warms your heart, or makes you laugh or brings you back to your childhood, watching your favorites can lift your spirit more than you know!  (My favorite?  Garfield Christmas)

3) Volunteer!  You may be thinking "Come on lady, we just talked about being busy, how on earth am I going to find time to volunteer?!"  Someone once told me that volunteering is the most rewarding experience they could ever ask for, for themselves and their family.  If you can find the time, there are so many great places around our city that you could volunteer at which are completely worthwhile!  Between fundraising for the Salvation Army with their Kettle Bell campaign, to Toy Mountain, to homeless shelter, or the food bank, there are definitely many places that you and/or your family could help out at this year.  If you're looking for a long term commitment for the new year, the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region are always looking for volunteers!

4) Gift to Others!  One of the best things about Christmas is not receiving gifts, but giving gifts to others.  Giving gifts to others is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for those you care for or are special to you.  You don’t need to go out and spend hundreds of dollars. Remember, it really is the thought that counts and people will appreciate small gifts because it shows you have thought about them.  When you give some thought to your gift, your friend or loved one will feel special and loved. This will then flow onto you feeling warm and positive from giving to someone you care about.  You could also talk with those around you who you celebrate with an talk about supporting a charity you all believe in rather than exchanging gifts.  

5) Appreciate!  Taking a moment to sit back with a coffee or hot chocolate in hand, and take in the wonder of the holidays can bring your soul much needed peace.  Whenever you have a stressful moment or day, taking time to focus on the good around you will instantly lift your spirits.  If this is a Christmas where you've recently experienced a loss, don't worry about trying to make it a perfect holiday.  Take your time to grieve your loss and remember them on the holidays.  

The joy of the holidays is within your heart, and with mindfulness, you just may be able to feel it all around you.  

If you don't already know this, the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region is open 24/7, and that includes every single day over the holidays - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years...our phone lines always remain open.  So if you need someone to talk to, we'll be here waiting.  

613-238-3311

We are wishing you all a happy & joyful month leading up to Christmas!!

*Editor's note: we are aware of the many holidays celebrated around this time period including Hanukkah, Kwanza & those who simply do not celebrate anything.  The Distress Centre is non denominational and wishes everyone to enjoy the next month.

Giving Tuesday Canada

We've all heard about Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday - where we can score some great deals on items that we have been coveting for ourselves or to save money on gifts, support our local businesses, etc.

This year, Canada Helps is launching their first annual "Giving Tuesday Canada" on Tuesday, December 3rd.  A day where you support a local charity of your choice - a day to give something to agencies that are working hard to provide you, your family, friends and community with services that benefit in one way or another.

It's very easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and Giving Tuesday is about taking a step back and thanking those charities with a donation. 

Most charities will provide a charitable tax receipt for income tax purposes, although some may have a minimum donation requirement (normally found on their website).

Making a donation to the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region on Giving Tuesday not only benefits our crisis line services, but the lives and mental health of so many individuals in our communities.  Did you know that we answer 40,000 calls for help each year?  This number is growing year over year, as the stigma of mental health lessens, and more people are open to speaking to someone about any issue that they are facing.  Anything that is affecting your day to day coping skills is worth talking about, since it affects your own mental health in one way or another.

If everyone took $25 that they would normally spend on one of these event days, and donated it to a charity of choice, what a difference that would make for those charities!!!

Making your Giving Tuesday Canada donation to the Distress Centre is easy!  Remember to have our Registered Charitable Number: 10807 9815 RR0001

Option 1

If you're not comfortable making a donation online, you can call our office at 613-238-1089 x 223 and speak with our Manager of Operations, Judy, who can process a credit card donation over the phone.

Option 2

You can make your donation by cheque or money order and send it to our office at: Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region, P.O. Box 3457 Station C, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4J6

Option 3

You can make your donation online through Canada Helps!  Simply follow this link:  https://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s11057  You can choose a one time donation, or even set up a monthly donation!

Option 4

Businesses can choose to join our 100 x $100 Challenge on Giving Tuesday!  We're searching for 100 businesses to donate $100 each, helping us to raise $10,000 for the Distress Centre!  More information can be found here: http://www.dcottawa.on.ca/english/donate/100-x-100-challenge.html or by calling me, Leslie, Community Relations Coordinator at 613-238-1089 x 222.

Giving Tuesday Canada is a great way to give back to your community this year - and we appreciate every penny (nickel?  since pennies cease to exist...) that is donated to our Distress Centre! 

More information regarding Giving Tuesday Canada can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANMc29x0650&list=PLHnBCF5EEfBu1FlQklaxgWsPV3t5i0ezKlist=PLHnBCF5EEfBu1FlQklaxgWsPV3t5i0ezK&v=JVP9wE_NCu0#t=99

New Year, New You

2012 has flown by hasn't it?

Does it not seem to you that we were just relishing in the warmest spring, the hot, dry summer, walking in the leaves this unseasonably warm autumn?

And yet, here we are, about 15 days until Christmas, and 22 days until 2013!

Time to start thinking of those 2013 New Year's Resolutions!

Let's see...there's the usual, lose weight, quit smoking, go to the gym, eat better.  These are all great, and kudos to those of you who really stick with it.

But have you ever considered making a difference with your time?

2013 can be the year that you help out thousands of callers at the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region.

Through 59 hours of training, you'll learn vital tactics to learning how to support callers, without the use of providing advice.  Our job is to lend a supportive, non-judgmental, and unbiased ear.  Sometimes people just need someone they don't know to listen to them, sometimes it's just easier to talk to someone who doesn't know you personally.

You'll also be trained in the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshop.  This is a 2 day course, that we provide free of charge to our volunteers.  You will learn how to listen for warning signs of someone with suicide ideations.  You get the chance to interact with many others and our very qualified educational managers to learn how to diffuse suicidal intentions, and help the person in need get to a safer place for themselves.

We sometimes hear people "Oh I couldn't do that, I couldn't talk to people who are in distress or suicidal."  And that's the truth - you need to be comfortable, and with all the training that we have each volunteer partake in, by the end of it you will feel comfortable.

Take it from me - I just finished my own training, and 2 days later, I got asked to help out on the phone lines.  And let me tell you, it was a very rewarding couple of hours!

So if you think that your New Year's Resolution will be to volunteer at the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region - fill out your application today!

www.dcottawa.on.ca

Benefit Concert

If you're in the Ottawa area, and love live music, while helping out a not-for-profit company - this post is for you!

This Friday night, November 30th at the Elmdale Tavern, there is an acoustic showcase benefit concert, in memory of Janet Vachon, and in support of the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region (us!)

One of our volunteers, Jessica, has been organizing this show, and has put together an awesome array of local musicians such as:

• Apocalypstic
• Claudia Acoustic
• Tenaj
• Tara Holloway
• Fiona Noakes

I wanted to hear why Jessica decided to host this event, and this is what she said:

"I chose to create the Acoustic Showcase Benefit Concert for many reasons. The event is close to my heart because it is in memory of a dear friend who was part of the music community. It also combines the talents of 5 bands in Ottawa showcasing their music. All bands have a significant connection to the cause in one way or another and we are hoping to raise awareness and money to support the efforts of the Distress Centre to help people in crisis. I also believe music is a beautiful way we can bring a community together to support each other and remember that we are not alone."

Cover is $10 at the door, and the doors open at 8:30pm.  We hope to have a full house for the showcase - to both honor the passing of Janet Vachon, and to support the Distress Centre. 

Hope to see you all there!

Monthly Donations

If you weren't aware, the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region is a Not-For-Profit organization.  This means, that with the assistance of our donors, and community supporters, we are able to continue on with what we do here at the centre.

A great way to suppor the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region, is by becoming a Monthly Donor - especially if making a lump sum donation isn't in your budget.

Some of the benefits to becoming a Monthly Donor include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to spread out your donations by making smaller contributions over the year.  If you're able to spare $5 a month, you'll donate $60 over the year.  Double that to $10 a month, and you've donated $120 for the year.  If 250 people donated $10 a month, we would raise $30,000 in a year!

• Smaller gifts make it easier to incorporate into your budget. 

• Easy initial set up!  You can either contact our office directly to set-up your monthly giving schedule by calling 613-238-1089 x 223 or you can set it up yourself online at www.CanadaHelps.org

• Donating will also give you a break on your income tax return.  You'll receive one consolidated receipt from your donations to the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region in preparation for your tax return.

• Your donation is confidential on our end.  We will never trade, sell, or rent your contact information, or make your personal information available to other organizations.

• With your donation, you will automatically receive our bi-annual newsletter entitled "On-Call" where you will see what's going on at the Distress Centre, and how your donation has helped us.

• You'll also receive advanced notice for all upcoming Distress Centre events, such as the delicious Festival of Chocolate!

Thank you for taking the time to consider setting up a monthly donation to the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region!

Estate Donations

As we age, we start thinking about how to take care of our families after we've passed, and how to leave a little something of ourselves behind with services we've cared about.

When writing your Will, you can request a Charitable Estate Donation to be made on your behalf to the charity of your choosing.  No one ever wants to actually write their Will, but it's very important to make sure your Estate is going where you would want it to go.

Making a Charitable Estate Donation is a way of giving back to your community.  Choosing the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region as your charity of choice, will help keep the centre doing what we do best - helping those in crisis.

You can choose to have a bequest in your Will that a certain amount of dollars, goes towards your charity.  The executor of your WIll will see that this gets done with your Lawyer.

Another option is if you have a life insurance policy, that you can choose to put a percentage of the policy towards your charity of choice.  It can be as little as 1% all the way to 100%.  Donating part or all of your life insurance policy can substantially increase the amount your charity of choice actually gets. 

You can choose to have an RSP go directly to the charity.

There are many options available to you when preparing your Will, and you should always seek out the advice of a professional at a bank, or your lawyer.  Discussing your wishes with either or both of these professionals will ensure that your wishes are fufilled. 

When choosing your charity, ensure that they are a registerd charity.

We hope that you'll consider donating to the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region, when planning you Will.  Our charitable number is 10807 9815 RR0001.