Last week a radio station in Calgary burned $5,000 in a publicity stunt.

The radio station asked Calgarians in a poll if they should incinerate $5,000 or give it away to the winner of a draw.

According to the station, 54 per cent of tens of thousands of listeners voted to burn the cash. Last week the station even posted a video on its Facebook page showing the bills turning to ash inside a crematorium.

At the YWCA of Calgary, $5,000 would go a long way in helping women and children who are fleeing family violence and struggling with poverty and homelessness. Forty-five per cent of the women we serve have incomes of less than $999/month before tax. Nearly 20 per cent have no income at all when they come to us. They struggle to feed and shelter themselves and their families. They may have a history of trauma including physical and sexual violence. They may have mental health issues. They may have slept on the streets before coming to us.

There are many other organizations in the city that also rely on donations to shelter and support women, children and men who struggle with poverty, homelessness, addiction or mental health issues.

“There are so many great people in Calgary wanting to make a positive difference and so many organizations needing donations of time or money in order to continue serving the less fortunate,” said Sean French, Calgary Action Committee on Housing and Homelessness. “Visit www.faceitcalgary.com to find an agency that can use your help.”

The radio station has decided to put more money on the line – $10,000 this time.

Instead of voting to “bank it” or “burn it” we encourage Calgarians to donate to one of the many organizations in need in our city.

At the YWCA, you can donate monthly to help women and children:

  • $65 a month provides 12 safe night’s sleep to a mother and child escaping family violence.
  • $100 per month provides counselling to one child traumatized by family violence during his or her stay in our shelter.
  • $250 per month provides six weeks of supportive housing for a woman struggling with homelessness or poverty in our YWCA Mary Dover House transitional housing facility.

Visit our monthly giving page to learn more.