We've all seen that episode of Mad Men where Don Draper gets his revenge on Roger Sterling by tricking him into walking up 23 flights of stairs after a multi-martini and oyster lunch. Yeah it was gross. But it inspired our latest agency fundraising challenge.
No, it's not oyster shucking or martini mixing (or even hitting on other people's spouses) it's the "Stairs for Chairs" fundraiser, next week (April 6 -9) at Acart.
Every few weeks, we adopt a new cause to support with time, money or work. After all, we're a Social Issues Marketing company. We care about people.
Next Monday, a number of us have pledged to avoid using the office elevator for a week to help raise money and awareness for Humanitarian Mobility International (HMI). Based in Ottawa, HMI provides mobility access and specialized equipment to victims of war and natural disasters around the world.
HMI’s operating budget relies completely on sponsors and donations. The money Acart raises will help HMI buy a trailer used to transport the wheelchairs to the warehouse.
HMI is focused on peacekeeping, post-war reconstruction and disaster relief. They work with medical centres and hospitals worldwide to help people with disabling injury or disease. They work with other organizations to refurbish mobility equipment such as wheelchairs. Currently, two members of HMI are in Beirut, ensuring wheelchairs arrive safely and are distributed to those who need them most.
Why the stairs? We often take our own mobility for granted, so we want to put our legs to work to remember how fortunate we are, and how we need to use those abilities to improve the mobility of those who don't have the luxury. The environmental and health benefits don't hurt, either.
Plus, in the interest of full disclosure, the Acart Building is only 6 storeys high. And we rarely drink Martinis at lunch.
