Along with all Canadians, my sympathies go out 
to the families of Cpl. Nathan Frank Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, both tragically killed in the chilling events of this past week.
Canada
Canadians Give Thanks
WARM WISHES TO ALL CANADIANS CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING!
The unique beauty of autumn adds to the magic of this special holiday.
We are celebrating my favourite holiday in Canada this weekend – Thanksgiving. No shopping for anything but Thanksgiving dinner ingredients. No lists of gifts. Bags of food being filled for the Food Banks. Volunteers serving turkey dinners at homeless shelters. Quality time spent as families and friends gather to share memories, love and laughter. An attitude of gratitude prevails. I am so thankful for the life I have. I hope you feel the same about yours.
As we consider our individual blessings, let’s remember those who struggle with hunger, illness, poverty, war and a multitude of other challenges around the globe. Let’s try to make the sentiments of Thanksgiving a part of every single day.
What a good feeling to see the food donation bins overflowing today. If you can’t get out to help, here’s a way you can play a part without leaving home! Click right here.
I’ve written about these sites before, but they are always worth mentioning from time to time. All you have to do is go to TheHungerSite.com once a day and click on the button — sponsors give free food. You are not put on any list or bombarded with spam. There are other links to click where sponsors donate for appropriate benefits: Breast Cancer ~ remember it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Child Health; Literacy; Rainforest; Animal Rescue and a few others. All of this has been verified as legit by Snopes years ago. I pop in every day. Why not?
While we are at it, have you ever played FREERICE.COM? ~ A great way to increase your vocabulary and donate rice. Play it with your children as there are 60 levels. It’s a great place to learn new words for Words With Friends … ahem, my addiction!
Oct. 11 – International Day of The Girl
Last December, the United Nations’ General Assembly officially designated October 11 as the International Day of The Girl. This Thursday, Canada and nations around the world will focus on raising awareness of the particular challenges that girls face and implement plans to take action.
Girls will be recognized as powerful agents of change 
and as leaders of today and tomorrow, and girl-specific issues will be highlighted.
The Canadian government led the resolution at the UN and over 100 member nations have already pledged their support. Individually we can all show our support in many ways and most easily by spreading the word and getting involved. Let’s face it, we women know how to communicate!
Every girl is someone’s daughter. Let’s make all daughters proud by honouring them and working toward gender equality and girls’ rights everywhere on this planet.
Here are some excellent links for more details on the subject. Please pass the information on and see how you can get involved with whatever your community plans for this landmark occasion.
Because I Am A Girl – Fabulous site! Join them on Twitter and Facebook right here!
I’m proud to be a member of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. I urge you to consider becoming involved in one of their innovative programs.
As a women’s foundation, we specialize in helping women and girls move out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence.
CWF MISSION
We invest in the power of women and the dreams of girls. The Canadian Women’s Foundation raises money to research, fund and share the best approaches to ending violence against women, moving low-income women out of poverty and building strong, resilient girls.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada, what better time to be reminded of our own good fortune and the struggles of others, near and far. We are in this life together so let’s pay it forward in whatever ways possible.
Here’s the challenge dear readers – UNLEASH THE POWER!
Happy Canada Day!
It’s a beautiful day in Toronto. I’m hoping you have the same weather wherever you are celebrating across our great country. Enjoy this wonderful video narrated by Tom Brokaw that first aired during the Vancouver Olympics in 2010. It does our country proud!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV_041oYDjg&feature=related
