(January 28, 1999) Cardinal Ambrozic has announced that ShareLife will be providing an emergency grant-in-aid of $20,000 through the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace, to assist the victims of the Colombia earthquake.

This tragedy has crippled much of the Western region of Colombia. In Armenia, one of the most severely hit cities, more than half of the 350,000 residents are now homeless. Latest reports indicate almost 1,000 people have died and thousands more are injured or missing.

Those wishing to make a donation may do so at their parish, making cheques payable to: ShareLife - Central American Relief, or by mailing cheques directly to ShareLife, 1155 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario M4T 1W2. Funds received from parishes at the ShareLife office will be promptly forwarded to C.C.O.D.P.

(Spring, 1999) Our latest issues of Lifelines, ShareLife's newsletter keeping volunteers and supporters up to date, should have arrived in your mailbox by now. If you don't receive Lifelines and would like to be added to our mailing list, just e-mail us. You'll get more detailed results from our parish campaign, receive our Legacy newsletter which profiles planned giving opportunities and you'll receive invitations to special ShareLife events.

(April 6, 1999) ShareLife and Archdiocese of Toronto have responded to the crisis in the Balkans with a grant-in-aid of $100,000. Personal donations can be made through your parish or directly to the ShareLife office.

(May, 1999) On Thursday, April 22-23, 1999 more than 100 of Toronto's top Young Catholic leaders participated in the inaugural 24 Hours of Service. Traveling to more than 20 service locations across the Archdiocese of Toronto, our young people demonstrated their concern for their community by giving back more than 2400 hours of service unconditionally.

From making beds at the Good Shepherd Refuge to visits with seniors at Loyola Arrupe Seniors' Centre, a clean-up at the oldest church in the Archdiocese to a rap session with City Councillor Joe Mihevic, participants demonstrated their leadership skills all day and all night. Culminating with a 5:30 a.m. celebration of Mass followed by a special reception at the Toronto Catholic District School Board, these students were ready for a rest upon completion of this intense 24 hour experience.

Going home with their journals and t-shirts ("You're never too tired to give") participants gained a better appreciation for ShareLife and its agencies, met other leaders from across the Archdiocese and most importantly, illustrated that young people, through their positive actions, are making a difference in our community. Now that's faith in action!

(May, 1999) Knights of Columbus members representing 24 councils from across the Archdiocese of Toronto will join Bishop Nicola De Angelis this Saturday evening at St. Andrew Kim Church for a special celebration recognizing the on-going relationship between ShareLife and the Knights of Columbus.

Harold Marcotte, Eastern Zone President for the Knights of Columbus, says this special evening is an ideal way to highlight the work of the Knights and their support of ShareLife. "The partnership between the Knights of Columbus and ShareLife allows us to maximize the impact we will have on the community. Whether it's through Columbus Boys' Camp, supporting the elderly or lending a helping hand to a single parent, together our efforts will help more than 100,000 people each year."

A choir of young adults from St. Bernadette's Family Resource Centre (a ShareLife agency) will be providing entertainment, demonstrating the positive impact that those with physical and mental challenges can have when given the opportunity to share their gifts with the community at large.

(June, 1999) With Bishop De Angelis leading the way, 800 people from across the Archdiocese came together for this year's "Walk for ShareLife" on Sunday, June 6, 1999. With lots of sunshine, music, friendship and fun, it was an ideal opportunity for Catholics to come together and celebrate while raising funds for this year's ShareLife campaign.

Special thanks to all those who took the time to join us at High Park. We appreciate your efforts in working to raise the awareness of ShareLife in our community. When we come together for a common cause, it truly is amazing to see just how much we can accomplish. Thanks to Bishop De Angelis for continuing the tradition of a walkathon for ShareLife and leading the way - we'll work hard to keep up with you again next year!

(June, 1999) On Friday, June 25, 1999, more than 50 participants in this year’s 24 Hours of Service project (April 22/23, 1999) came together to renew friendships and reflect on their experiences. With a slide show profiling their 24 hour journey across the city, working in food banks, homeless shelters, reaching out to the mentally and physically challenged, it was truly amazing to see all that was accomplished.

Many of these high school students will be involved with ShareLife’s "Share the Spirit!" program which will once again kick into gear this September. If you’re a high school student interested in getting involved with ShareLife, drop us an e-mail or give us a call. Thanks to all those schools who took the time to get involved with ShareLife this year - and thanks to all the participants of the 24 Hours of Service. Remember, you’re never too tired to give...

(Spring, 1999) Many people often wonder what takes place during the summer months at ShareLife. Well believe it or not, we are already busy planning for Campaign 2000 which kicks off in the fall with the launch of our corporate and school campaigns. Our fiscal year ends July 31 so August 1 we begin a new year of planning and visioning to serve those struggling in our community.

During the summer months, we are working hard to develop new materials for Campaign 2000, taking the time to analyze Campaign 1999 - what worked, what can be improved - in short, how we can maximize every dollar generously donated to ShareLife.

If you have an idea, comment or suggestion for the ShareLife office, please feel free to e-mail us. It’s important that your voice be heard. We will also periodically answer your questions on the ShareLife website, keeping you informed and up to date.

(July, 1999) Once again in 1999, Compucentre and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board have teamed up to present a special charity golf tournament held July 14, 1999, with all proceeds being donated to ShareLife. Over the past 2 years, more than $120,000 has been raised from these golf tournaments. An outstanding example of partnership at work in our community, we thank Compucentre, Dufferin-Peel C.D.S.B. and all those who participated in this year's tournament. A wonderful day of golf and generosity in addition to a partnership that is changing lives forever!

(July, 1999) For young Catholics interested in getting involved with some great youth events this summer, the Office of Catholic Youth (a ShareLife funded agency) celebrates YouthWeek 1999 - August 13-22, 1999. 

Check out their website for all sorts of information - from their Semi-Formal to Beach Volleyball Tournament, there’s something for everyone. Another great opportunity to Celebrate Youth across the Archdiocese of Toronto, take the time to get involved today!

(August 19, 1999) ShareLife will be providing $25,000 to aid relief efforts underway in Turkey. One of the most powerful earthquakes of the century (7.8 on the Richter scale) struck the north-west region on August 17, 1999. Thousands are dead with even more left homeless and struggling to rebuild their communities.

Those wishing to make a donation may do so in the following ways: by phone - ShareLife - 416-934-3411 or 1-800-263-2595, through their local parish, making cheques payable to: ShareLife - Turkish Earthquake Relief or by mailing cheques directly to ShareLife, 1155 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario M4T 1W2.

(September 16, 1999) ShareLife has responded to the crisis in East Timor with a grant-in-aid of $30,000. For more information on Cardinal Ambrozic's announcement and to learn how to make a donation, access our latest press release.

Thanks to all those who have responded to recent disasters in Turkey and East Timor. We continue to be inspired by the generosity of the ShareLife family in reaching out to those around the world who are going through most difficult times. Our Turkish Earthquake Relief Fund has collected more than $150,000 in addition to our initial grant-in-aid of $25,000. In recent weeks, donations have been received to aid the crisis in East Timor. ShareLife responded in mid-September with a grant-in-aid of $30,000.

Remember if you would like to donate to these relief efforts, you can send a cheque made payable to ShareLife - Turkish Earthquake Relief or East Timor Relief, 1155 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1W2. You can also donate by credit card by contacting us at: (416) 934-3411 or 1-800-263-2595. Catholic parishes across the Archdiocese of Toronto are also accepting donations.

Thanks to all who’ve given so generously. We continue to pray for all those who are struggling both locally and globally.

(September, 1999) Our newly formed ShareLife Action Committee will help in the planning and implementation of our annual parish appeal. With special sub-committees drawing on specific areas of expertise (Parish relations, Direct Mail, Communications, etc.) we are excited to welcome all who are joining under our new structure. If you’re interested in volunteering for the ShareLife Action Committee, contact our office at (416) 934-3411 or e-mail us. Our first meeting (Mass followed by social) will be held on Wed, October 13, 1999 at 5:45 p.m. at the Catholic Pastoral Centre - 1155 Yonge St. The ShareLife Action Committee- putting our faith into action.

(September, 1999) During the months of October and November, ShareLife will launch its Schools campaign across the Archdiocese of Toronto. Working together with our partners in faith, ShareLife conducts payroll deduction campaigns for employees of all Catholic school boards across the Archdiocese. Student activities also take place throughout the year with many undertaking special projects during Lent. We invite you to join us for our upcoming launches, which all begin at 4:00 p.m.:

• October 7, 1999 - York Catholic District School Board - Catholic Education Centre - 320 Bloomington Rd. W. - Aurora
• October 20, 1999 - Toronto Catholic District School Board - Our Lady of the Assumption Church - 2565 Bathurst St. (2 blocks North of Eglinton Ave.)
• October 28, 1999 - Durham Catholic District School Board - St. John the Evangelist Parish - 903 Giffard St. (Whitby)
• November 2, 1999 - Simcoe/Muskoka Catholic District School Board - St. Mary’s Parish - 65 Amelia St. (Barrie)

Note:  Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board holds its launch in the new year.

Stewardship - it's a word you may not be familiar with. The ShareLife family recognizes the importance of stewardship in our fundraising work, drawing on the many gifts and talents present in our community. We invite you to take the time to learn more about stewardship through our latest reflection from our Stewardship Manager, Mary Kelly. Catching the vision of stewardship in your parish can open the door to a world of possibilities.

We've recently expanded our Stewardship section of ShareLife's website to include Monthly Stewardship Saints. It's a great way to learn more about the saints and how we can relate stewardship to their lives and our own. We invite you to visit our Stewardship Saints section and take the time to be educated and inspired by the work of these extraordinary women and men.

The final results are in and it’s great news for ShareLife in 1999! Our parish annual appeal goal of $9.6 million was exceeded as was our overall goal of $11.5 million. Our parishes and the community at large also responded most generously with $700,000 raised towards special grant-in-aid efforts for Balkan, Central American and Colombian relief. Our corporate campaign was most successful, meeting its goal of $1.1 million. These totals combined saw our total revenue exceed $12 million, a new record for ShareLife.

A big "thank you" goes out to all those who helped make this year’s campaign such a success - from the pastor to the parish secretary, the money counters to canvassers; volunteer committees to ShareLife speakers. It truly is a team effort and we’d like to thank all those who were part of the ShareLife family in 1999.

Finally, a special thank you to our donors. The charitable sector is a competitive one, with many worthwhile charities seeking your hard earned dollars. Thank you for making ShareLife a charity of choice. We will continue to use your donations responsibly and effectively to maximize its impact in our community. We hope you will join us again in the Year 2000 and continue to make "Sharing...a way of life!"

(November 10, 1999) Hurricane Mitch ravaged much of Central America one year ago; a year later, relief efforts co-ordinated by the Catholic Church are still very much alive. ShareLife, the charitable fundraising arm of the Archdiocese of Toronto, raised more than $400,000 to support disaster aid and reconstruction projects in the affected region.

ShareLife Executive Director, Terry Thompson, along with officials from the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace, returned last week from a mission to observe the re-building efforts in Honduras, the country most severely damaged by the hurricane. "The warmth of the people and their gratitude for Canadian solidarity and financial support was almost overwhelming", said Mr. Thompson. Development & Peace, a ShareLife funded agency, continues its work by providing the materials and expertise to teach families how to build their own homes.

Mr. Thompson commented, "It is heartening to see our partners empowering families to rebuild. There is still much work to be done - reconstruction will continue for many years to come. Our ShareLife donors can feel confident that their money is being well spent." Funds collected by ShareLife were channeled through Development & Peace, who raised more than $10 million across Canada to support Hurricane Mitch relief efforts.

Thanks to all those school board employees who joined us for our Campaign 2000 Employee launches. We encourage our employees to become active members of the ShareLife family through payroll deduction. Please take the time to be part of Campaign 2000 and make sharing... a way of life! Student activities traditionally gear up during the Lenten period. Look for more information, coming soon on the 24 Hours of Service 2000 and other exciting "Share the Spirit!" opportunities.

Take the time to visit our parish campaign section and let us know what kind of activities you held to raise awareness of ShareLife for Campaign 1999. Or better yet, tell us how you work to promote ShareLife in your community. Who knows? You may have that million-dollar idea that can help another parish, school or family get involved with ShareLife.