One local woman is hoping that people will seal the deal on supporting her fundraiser for Transitions, plus they’ll get some nifty food storage out of it.
Jo Ann Wallace is offering portions of sales from her Tupperware business for the month of July. She said that Transitions does important work and needs greater and more stable funding and if the government can’t do it, then she’ll do whatever she can to fill in the gaps.
“We as a family… give our charitable dollars to Transitions,” she stated, adding that the cause is very near and dear to her heart. “I have to do this fundraiser.”
The Campbell Park based non-profit organization has been working to help people with disabilities in St. Albert for 35 years. It’s part of a nationwide community living movement and helps with early intervention and family services. Sadly, the province’s financial situation has put a damper on its ability to assist its approximately 250 clients.
Wallace does sales training for both Alberta and Saskatchewan, managing about 1,000 people in her sales team. She already conducted a promotion through them to donate $5 to Transitions for every $300 party held in her zone. The largest donations, she said, would come from her personal sales because she can donate all of what she normally makes, a figure that ties in nicely with the organization’s age: 35 per cent. All of the donations go directly to the clients through a special fund, she added.
Paul Fujishige, executive director of Transitions, is very grateful for the grassroots support. He said financial support systems like Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped don’t always cover the bills, especially when unexpected expenses occur.
“We’ve been able to purchase furniture items, food, other kinds of accessories for folks. People have been very grateful. There have been increases to AISH recently so that has eased some of the burden. It might not be quite as bad as it was three years ago but still everything’s going on: rents, utilities, food… it’s still pretty expensive to live in St. Albert and sometimes the money doesn’t last for the whole month.”
To get in touch with Wallace to get started, e-mail her at [email protected]. She can also be reached by phone at 780-405-3366. Her website is at www.my.tupperware.ca/teambuildersales. There, people can see a full catalogue along with specials and online exclusives. Orders can be placed directly there too, or via e-mail but all must be in before the deadline of Thursday, July 25.
To contact Transitions, call 780-458-7371 or visit www.transitions-ab.org.
