The United Way of Bruce Grey - backpack collection program 2008

July 9, 2008

The United Way of Bruce Grey’s backpack collection program has more than doubled in requests for 2008.

“It’s a little scary” confessed United Way of Bruce Grey Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn, “changes to families on government assistance had significantly increased the demand.”

In 2007 the United Way gave out 594 full stocked backpacks for low income families in the Bruce Grey region, this years list is already at 1400.

“We are working with community partners to raise large donations up front so we can place a bulk order with our suppliers,” Dobbyn explains. The Power Workers Union has made the largest single donation of $3 000 with other Unions also contributing.

“It costs about $100 per backpack for anyone older than 9, so with over half of the requests for children over 9, we are in trouble” Dobbyn said.

The United Way usually doesn’t make it’s appeal until August, but with the opportunity to do a bulk purchase, the sooner dollars are raised, the sooner this massive increase in demand can be met.

The United Way of Bruce Grey uses local service providers and agencies to provide the list of children in need, “we know these children are in need, as we are talking to the workers and staff that interact with them on a daily basis” Dobbyn explained. Dobbyn blames the high cost of transportation and the significant increases in food costs, as well as government assistance level changes for the increase in demand.

Donations can be made by calling 519 376 1560.

For more information please contact Francesca Dobbyn at 519 376 1560

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United Way of Bruce Grey
380 9th St. East
Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 1P1
ph: 519-376-1560 fax: 519-376-5458
www.unitedwayofbrucegrey.com
www.informationbrucegrey.ca
www.volunteerconnection.ca

Poetry Slam at the Owen Sound Library

October 29, 2007

Here are a few more details about the Words Aloud Poetry Slam event being held at the Owen Sound Public Library. Thanks to Nadia Danyluk for sending this info along.

Poetry Slam

The Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library, in association with the Words Aloud Spoken Word and Storytelling Festival, and Owen Sound’s Poet Laureate, Liz Zetlin, presents, Poetry Slam, an afternoon of dynamic spoken word performances.

Slam poetry is a competitive spoken word style that is characterized by poets performing their own creative work to an audience that judges each performer on a numeric scale. A winning poet must perform a fast, lively piece which is both physically and vocally dynamic. Accessible to youth, dubious to academics, slam poetry has engendered critical controversy: is it the new wave or the death of an art? Come to the Owen Sound Poetry Slam and make up your own mind.

The Poetry Slam will take place on Saturday November 3rd, in the Library Auditorium, 824 First Avenue West, Owen Sound. Tickets are $2 each and are available for purchase in advance at the Library. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Individuals interested in performing are encouraged to arrive early. This event is rated PG-13.

Come check out the winning Toronto Slam Team and host Dave Silverberg. The Toronto Slam Team presents a high-energy, mentally nourishing spoken word competition, featuring Arianna Pozzuoli, Krystle Mullin, White Noise Machine, and Amanda Hiebert, the four members of the Toronto Team who represented the city at the 2007 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. What you hear will blow your socks off!

The event will conclude with a session by international award-winning poet Shane Koyczan, one of the world’s premier spoken word performers. Based in Vancouver, Shane was the first poet from outside the USA to win the prestigious National Poetry Slam. His book, Visiting Hours, was hailed as a “book of the year” by The Guardian and the Globe and Mail. Shane has performed to full houses around the world. His lyricism inspires audiences and readers alike because Shane’s poems speak directly to the heart.

For those not content just being part of the crowd, the Poetry Slam will also feature an open mic where local poets and spoken word artists are invited to share their best creative efforts and stand alongside national poetry giants. Register at the door to perform your own poetry on stage, and get your slam on!

This event will be filmed as part of a documentary chronicling the Words Aloud Festival.

For more information about the Poetry Slam call Nadia at 519-376-6623 ext. 4, email ndanyluk@owensound.library.on.ca, visit the Teen Buzz section of the Library’s website at www.owensound.library.on.ca, or stop into the Library.

For more information about the Words Aloud Spoken Word and Storytelling Festival you can read our events post or visit the festival’s website at www.wordsaloud.ca.

The United Way of Bruce Grey - backpack collection program 2008

Poetry Slam at the Owen Sound Library

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