Humpday is the perfect day to go out for a walk with the camera you always have on you! That's what you get for the Wednesday Walk challenge championed by our friend @tattoodjay and the Make me Smile Collaboration challenge lead by @elizacheng.
This Weds, I set out to business and ended up charitying instead.
# On the Last Episode...
It has been 3 weeks since my last wedswalk post and it looked something like this. First snow of the year, sure to be a white Christmas right?
Not a chance. It melted all away within a couple days and only a dusting since has preserved any trace of white. Forecast says mild and dry so only a Christmas miracle will see us white on the 25th.
My Weds walk started out a little drive down the highway for some business. Clear and blue driving south as we can see some other folks in the sky heading somewhere warmer for the some holidays.
The trees and fields may be bare but a drive through the country always seems to sooth your soul a little. Even better that it is dry and above freezing so there are no snow storms or drifts to drive through. The fields rest for the winter and will likely be planted with corn or soy beans in a few long months.
Though it was a day of business for me, I made some time to help with a little charity work too. My friend John has run a charity project over 35 years where he collects donations and buys hundreds of toys for local kids. A stop at the Salvation Army who redistribute so much food and gifts this time of year it would make your head spin.
We had a few other stops like the House of Blessing, Multicultural Association, and a women's shelter. I keep telling John to grow his beard a little bit so he can look like Santa Claus to make this even more fun to do every year. Happy to help out and hear the stories of children's smiles every year.
My day was only half done as up next was a visit to a client, who just happens to be the best Indian restaurant in town, [Raja Fine Indian Cuisine](https://rajastratford.ca/) When I moved from the big city to the small town, the reason I picked this small town is for the culinary scene. The Thai and Mexican food can't quite live up but the India food at this place is better than most I had in the big city. Love visiting and dining!
This appointment was a big of charity mixed with the business as the owner Zafar is working with our friend, city councilor, and Multicultural Assoc. president to extend this fine dining into a mobile soup kitchen. So many newcomers and people in need are without proper food so these fine people are going to prepare, donate, deliver and help in this holiday season. I end up being the photographer and social media publicist for organizations like this so the story gets out to the community.
After a fantastic lunch, we loaded Geza's van up with toys and gifts he will be distributing to the children of newcomers and those in need. I will be attending an event this weekend at the multicultural center where Santa will be present and deliver some early presents to families who need it the most.
Often, while answering the call to help, I feel like I am not being a very good business person, donating my time when it should be spent building the business that many people depend upon for income and lifestyle. I just try and ignore that shit and believe that it will lead to greater things, or perhaps helping the helpers is the most impactful use of my time.
To top it all off, a late Business After 5 networking meeting with the local chamber of commerce. We met at a new financial planner office for the annual food drive meeting. Santa was in an RV supplied by a local business that was collecting the food and cash donations for the local food bank. Great conversations with other local business builders and I work hard to connect them so we can build business together and help the community.
Looks like Charity was the name of the game today!
# Beereward
As a fitting end to this long Hump Day, I celebrated with a little Brut IPA from a brewery about 45 minutes down the road. A little strong beer after a strong day and you might just hear about it this weekend on #beersaturday.
How is the Charity in your community??
