We have much to be thankful for this Holiday Season.
Despite the global pandemic, our team worked hard and remained healthy while remote from our office for much of 2020.
Others in Calgary have been less fortunate.
That’s why this Holiday Season we thought it doubly important to give back.
As we considered how and where we might lend our support, two themes of equal importance emerged: Mind and Body. Both must be equally nourished to thrive.
We’ve made two donations of equal size to:
The Calgary Chapter of the CMHA is doing great work to support people through the COVID crisis. Anxiety, depression, and substance abuse have experienced sudden and dramatic increases since the pandemic. CMHA has launched a special campaign to direct funds to the extra counselling programs that are so needed this season. Our contribution will help nourish the minds of those they support.
The Calgary Food Bank distributes approximately 100,000 food boxes per annum during a regular year. This year they have experienced a significant increase in need. Through the magic of matching, every dollar we donate is multiplied 5X by their partners. Our contribution will help nourish the bodies of those they support.
We are donating through our banking partner ATB Financial and its program ATB Cares, which pledges a match of 15% on top of our donations. This works out to each $1.00 of our donation amplified more than 3X across the total distribution.
Our Christmas 2020 Company Dinner seemed unlikely given the lockdown measures in effect.
Until an opportunity emerged. Our friends at local restaurant Starbelly hatched a plan to create and deliver virtual holiday dinners to companies in Calgary. Complete gourmet meals were delivered to each of our employees to heat and serve – safely – at home. The only requirement was to memorialize our ‘dinner together’ with a picture of them at their table for our company wall. AFTI’s Social Club graciously contributed the cost of wine and booze to make the experience as festive as possible.
Even completing this strangest of years, we celebrated some notion of togetherness.
All WatchDogs send heartfelt wishes for you and yours in 2021!