Evan's Blog.. " Helping those in need at Christmas"

 Wow!.. Time seems to fly, it seems like yesterday that that September had arrived, the kids were back in school, and the world had returned to"normal" after the summer months. As the Christmas and Holiday Season return for another year ( it comes so quickly, and seems to be over even quicker!), we sometimes get so caught up in our plans and what we still need to do, that we forget those who need help. With the onset of the colder weather ( for those of us who live in winter climates), there are many within our communities that struggle at this time , and truth be told, throughout the year. In my city of Calgary, which has been blessed with an abundance of wealth and a positive economy, there are still many who feel the cold and hard grip of poverty, homelessness, addictions, and loneliness. I'm sure this is the case everywhere, it just seems  during the festive season, these issues are more evident. We are fortunate in Calgary to have a great program to help alleviate some of this suffering not only at this time, but year round. The Calgary Herald Christmas Fund, which is run by the Calgary Herald ( our main daily), takes these problems head on by raising awareness around critical social issues including hunger, homelessness, addiction, abuse and violence. The Fund, which started in 1991 has so far raised over 14.2 million dollars all donated by its readership. All the administration costs are absorbed by the paper, so that 100% of donations can go to the recipient agencies. This year those agencies dedicated to helping other include; Brown Bagging For Kids, The Calgary Interfaith Food Bank, Calgary Urban project Society, Fresh Start Recovery Program, Inn From The Cold, McMan Youth Services, Neighbor Link of Calgary, WYCA Sheriff King House , The Alex, Calgary Drop In and Rehab Centre, Calgary Seniors Resource Centre, and the Recovery Acres Society. All of these agencies are dedicated to helping those in need within our community. Our firm is please to be a participant in the Herald Christmas Fund, as we have for many years. We encourage you , wherever you may be, to support those agencies in your community that help at this special time of the year, and throughout the year. Together, we can make a difference, and if more people can enjoy the Christmas and Holiday season , we will all be better for it.  Just my thoughts....

Evan's Blog " Why I'm growin a stache... Movember Madness!"

I have to admit, I think I'm pretty cool with my two week old fumanchu (sort of) stache. Nobody else seems to think so, my family think I'm a bit strange, and my kids have been making fun of me on a daily basis. Even my staff and friends have been taking shots at me over the last couple of weeks. I'm holding up pretty well so far, we will see who is laughing at the end of November! I'm supporting MOVEMBER this year, Movember is in support of Prostate Cancer Research , and basically one grows a stache, becomes a " MOBRO" and raises money through donations to support research. In 2011, over 25,000 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer ( 4100 will die), it is estimated that 1 in 7 men will be affected by prostate cancer in their lifetime, and it is the most common type of cancer for men, also more men in their 40's are been diagnosed. I'm certain that these numbers are equatable to men in the United States as well. The good news is that 90 percent of the prostate cancer cases can be cured if detected early. The bad news is that there are no symptoms in the early stages.  In both my personal and professional life I have been affected by prostate cancer. I have seen what it can do to men, to families, and to myself. That's why this unique fund raising idea, and the donations it garners, are important to me, and to so many others. Cancer sucks, and the more we can do to stop it and cure it  are positive moves. There are so many other fundraising cancer events, all are great and serve an important and lifesaving function for many. We need to keep supporting these events, and each other! Guys over 40, get checked, girls, make them do it! Guys, think of your families, your friends and yourselves. If you are so inclined, grow a stache ( the good thing about MOVEMBER is that you only have to keep the
 stache from November 1 to November 30) Although, I may keep mine...... just my thoughts.

 If you need a good laugh, my Movember space can be found at  http://mobro.co/evanjstrong   

Evan's Blog " Why We Remember"

As I watched the November 11 ceremonies from the National War  Memorial in Ottawa this morning, I was touched ( as I am every year) by the amount of veterans that participate in the march past. Each year the numbers of these heroes from World War Two diminish as age and illness takes its toll. We now have a new breed of veterans, those who served in Iraq, Afganistan, and other parts of the world since the  Korea Conflict. What strikes me is that these men and women believed in something more important than themselves. They served their country because they believed in something, they believed in freedom, the right to live a life in peace and harmony, where all have opportunity. Many died for this in places that we know and revere, Vimy Ridge, the Somme, Holland, Arnem, Belgium, Pearl Harbour, Iwa Jima, the beaches of Normandy, the list goes on. Countless more were wounded and came home disabled both in mind and body. The men and women who served and fought came from Canada, the United States, Great Britain and many other countries that believed in freedom . We remember these heroes ( although they would never see themselves this way, they saw what they did as " doing their job", doing what needed to be done) because of their courage, honour and dedication to their country. They were and are a different breed, a special type of person, they remain this way in our minds and hearts, even decades after their service. We remember them and their effort with pride and a tear. We remember that they have allowed us the life we lead with their death, injuries and sacrifice. On this special day we pause to remember, to reflect, to honor. We do this with gratitude..... just my thought
      " Age shall not weary them, not the years condemn, at the going down of the sun and in the morning.. we will remember them.
    I remember with gratitude Private Bertie Strong, Canadian Infantry ( Alberta Regiment), Killed in Action, November 19, 1916 , and Robert Strong RCAF Pilot, Killed in Action June 7, 1942.