Its here...

3 months ago this project started out as a simple way to make people smile. In such a short time we have evolved into so much more and today our biggest project comes to fruition. All the sleepless nights, tears, heartaches, joy, love and brainsplosions have become the beautiful #50teens4Christmas.

I give this beautiful project full credit for the amazing turn my life has taken. I've seen humanity at its best, I met the woman who shares the other half of my soul, I've seen ordinary people do the extraordinary, I've felt support like i have never felt, I've fallen in love.

Today when I dress my beautiful daughter for school, I can do so knowing that she will grow up in a better world. That all the missed good night kisses will be worth it. That she will be loved and flourish in a world where she can do anything as long as she believes she can. That love, compassion and kindness will keep us safe and warm.

I wish I could personally thank each and every person that made this possible but that is impossible. Hundreds and hundreds of people have made this event happen. The days people simply reached out to tell us what we were doing was worth it are the days I cherish.

Homelessness changed my life. Now, it has also saved my life and given me purpose.

#50teens4Christmas may not touch everyone's life. It may not even touch the lives of all 50 teens involved, but if it opens a door for 1 kid to get off the street then my work and the work of everyone involved will have been worth it.

Love made this event possible. You made this event possible.



"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;

love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;

it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails...But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13

The 5 Dollar Project Remembers

Friday September 16th, 2011 our dear friend Corina lost her beautiful mother Marlene to cancer.

The next day her closest friends rallied around her to talk, cry, laugh and remember her Mom. Corina shared stories and feelings, as we shared hugs and support. Sitting around our pastries and coffee, I realized that kindness came in many shapes and forms.

Today we gathered to celebrate the life of Marlene Hill. Wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. The church was packed, requiring a live camera feed to the packed basement room as well. As I watched people hug, tell stories and lean on each other I saw kindness in so many forms.

I saw kindness in words, kindness in gentle looks, kindness in flowers and sandwiches. I listened to people talk about the life of a woman whose life revolved around kindness, love and an infectious smile. People volunteered their time and talents out of kindness. We were all connected in grief and the desire to support the family through their most difficult moment.

Kindness.

So many people loved Marlene because of her kindness.

I was honoured to be in the company of people who knew her so well, spreading their kindness like a blanket over the hurting hearts of Marlenes loved ones.

Kindness is not just a one time affair. Living a life of kindness over and above the random acts is important. Open doors, offer help, let someone in in traffic, give up a seat on the bus, smile.

Today the 5 Dollar Project takes a moment to remember the remarkable life of Marlene Hill.

Marlene Hill
January 24, 1950 - September 16, 2011