This is a guest post that I wrote for MaRS Discovery District’s blog. View all the photos from the Timeraiser here.
We love the Timeraiser mash-up. So much richness comes from inviting 700+ people to mix and mingle with 35+ nonprofit and charities to find volunteer opportunities. Add three dozen works of art that people are bidding volunteer time on in a silent art auction format, now we have some sparks that are beginning to fly. (Artists are also pleased that they’ve been paid market value for their work). Then, after we’ve raised 10,000 volunteer hours, introduce ska-funk band Franklin’s Fault for a 70 minute set, now we have a night that people will remember for a very long time. (Franklin’s Fault features MaRS very own Don Duval on guitar).
Lots of people, lots of hours
Timeraiser participant Annette Russett shared with us: “As a new Torontonian I am completely shocked and delightfully surprised by this event. I can’t wait to meet all of the representatives at the exhibits to see where I can contribute to my new community.”
The 7th Toronto Timeraiser this past Saturday March 20th was a watershed evening for us. We added a social media contest and a live web stream of the event.
This raised lots of additional awareness across Canada beyond just the people who attended. And the winning entry could not be more appropriate. It was posted by Udai Srinivasan, a Schulich School of Business MBA candidate: “There once was a raiser of time, he could give an hour or he could give a dime. He met lots of peeps, and sent out a few tweets. He found a volunteer opportunity that was sublime. #timeraiser”
To date the Timeraiser has raised over 61,000 hours for a variety of charities. We’ve invested $340,000 in the careers in emerging Canadian artists, engaged 5,500 Canadians to pick up a cause and supported 265 charities.
Anil is co-founder and Executive Director of the Timeraiser. He is active with the United Way of Toronto board and Social Venture Partners Toronto. Additionally, Anil is also a SiG @ McConnell and Action Canada Fellow.
Just an awesome post and wicked little rhyme by Udai.
Great stuff all around – congrats!
Spreading some luv from Cowtown.
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