Blog

...365 of ECHO...

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:29:00 GMT

...how great did it feel donate your time, money and effort for those less fortunate this Sam's Christmas?

...it was OFF-THE-CHART!!!

...it has truly become something special...

...not only through the act of giving...but also through creating the ECHO that continues in our thoughts..

...the fact is...WINNIPEG needs positive thought and action to make it a better place for all...

...and not once a year...but MANY!!!

...with the glow of Christmas still on our cheeks...

...we have a couple of more projects on the horizon to give you options on what to do with your time...

...NEW YEARS' EVE...Siloam Mission will be feeding approximately 300 people dinner on New Year's Eve...and as always the Mission is looking contributions to make each and every meal a reality...this year...ECHO and ELITE are stepping up to the plate to take a HUGE swing...in the attempt (IT WILL HAPPEN!) to provide 300 pizzas to the Mission help to ring in the New Year with a special treat, a hot meal and a slice of hope...provided by people who care!...if you would like to help make this possible...contact Thomas Hall at 979-0791 and find out how YOU CAN HELP!!!!

...and January 27th, 2011...as Novice Competition gets closer (Physique Sports)...we thought...(ACTUALLY, this is the brain-child of the Lovely, Laryssa Garrick of Jackson Springs and PROVINCIAL TALL CLASS FIGURE CHAMPION 2011)....."THE LAST SUPPER"...With 100 tickets available at DeLuca's COOKING STUDIO...for a night of fine food, wine and QUITE PROBABLY, the last cheat day prior to Novice 2011...tickets are 75.00/ each with 20.00 from each ticket being donated to MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY... TIME TO "CIAO" DOWN...and make good things happen...for more information, contact ELITE Performance at 831.6758....

...as the Holiday Season and all of it's cheer slowly become a memory....

...it doesn't mean that ECHO and YOU can't make it happen...more often...for more people...

...to make WINNIPEG A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE.

Happy Holidays,

Your friends at ECHO.

...

...Sam's Christmas...and BEYOND!!!

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:59:00 GMT

...just over 1 week ago...something truly incredible happened...

...literally thousands of people came together to create a "Christmas" for people who otherwise would not have one...

...not one of these generous donors of time, effort, goods had to be convinced to help...

...they ALL came forward to ECHO, with "what CAN I do?"

...right then a light went off...this all of a sudden didn't seem that monumental of a task in obtaining the help...

...the task was in fact organizing all of this GREAT ENERGY AND GENEROSITY and point it in the direction of 104 families...

...a great testament to what WINNIPEGGERS want....

...a BETTER WINNIPEG...

...we didn't even have to ask...

...WINNIPEGGERS ASKED US!!!

...after weeks of planning and organizing our 3 days to execute this task was soon behind us...

...a weary ECHO board and volunteers sat in Precious Blood Junior High School...

...and instead of feeling like a chapter in 2011 ended for us...

...it truly felt like we had just started a new journey...

...our emails were once again bursting with comments on the weekend...

....and more importantly....more "what CAN I do(s)?" ....came pouring in....

...and I guess that is what ECHO means....

...something that started with the energy of a few people...spread through to thousands with Sam's Christmas...and now...this momentum will take us through to new challenges....and revisit the reason why we started all of this in the beginning....TO CONTINUE MAKE WINNIPEG A BETTER PLACE....

...a bigger better vision...the Spirit of Sam's Christmas...not just for a weekend...but for all of 2012!

...you WILL SEE new projects for the spring announced within the week...but for the time being.

...enjoy WINNIPEG and the Holiday Season.

Happy Holidays to all of you.

Your friends at Project ECHO

Thomas Hall

Janice Moore

Joe Marcoux

Suzanne Harden

Ryan Anderson

Jeff Fisher

Sam's Christmas 2011....

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:57:00 GMT

...MAKING the Miracle of Christmas...

...As I sit here plugging away at what promises to be a very busy week...

...I just looked up from my active monitor to another one on my desk that keeps track of emails and current "open" projects...

...as I look down the "subject column" of my emails...I see "Sam's Christmas" coming up time after time...

...the effort that literally thousands of people have put into this project have turned it into something very special...

...from New Boots to keep the feet of children warm- the brainchild of the lovely Wendy Erlanger from "MORE THAN SHOES"...

...to the True North Corporation...GO JETS!...for donating "beds in a bag" to keep the same little ones warm at night...

...but it is even more than the donations...it is the kindness of all of these people who REALLY CARE...and just what that has created...

...through the sharing of this simple vision we have created this "community" of people...the literally hundreds of names that were strangers just a couple of weeks ago...are now part of the Magic of this effort...

...truly amazing...from strangers to friends...to help strangers...on CHRISTMAS!

...the MAGIC OF SAM'S CHRISTMAS!

Happy Holidays,

Humbly yours.

Jeff Fisher

...

...BE A HERO!!

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:24:00 GMT

...last year we had the privilege of delivering a Sam's Christmas package to 20 families...

...the experience left a lasting impression on many of us...

...one really sticks out in my mind...let me share it with you...

...as one of our Project-ECHO volunteers left the small inner-city apartment...

...a beautiful young girl...maybe 4 or 5 years of age wrapped her little arms around her leg...

...with a big smile and a huge hug, came "thank you making this the best day ever"...

...there are many things you can get distracted with during the Holiday season...

...but what could be better than creating something that would draw these words from this little girl's mouth?

...there are many types of HEROs out there...we are surrounded by them everyday...

...there are no capes...or superhero emblems...

...but there are hearts of gold and bodies of steel ready to share their good fortune with others...

...I would love it...if YOU were one of them!

...as Christmas is fast approaching...and this year more than ever...

...WINNIPEG NEEDS SOME HEROES.

...come give SAM a hand!...to get involved, contact Thomas Hall at 204.979.0791

Onward and Upward,

From all of your friends at Project-ECHO

...SAM'S CHRISTMAS...

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:43:00 GMT

...it is that time of year again!!

...bad holiday sweaters, egg nog and GIVING!!!

...In just shy of 4 weeks- Project-ECHO is working on providing a "CHRISTMAS" for 100 local families...

...coats/ blankets/ toys/ computers/ hot turkey dinners/ candy canes/ chocolates/ mitts/ boots...

...all delivered by people that care...to hundreds of people that REALLY need it!

...if you have been touched by the CHRISTMAS spirit and want to make a difference in someone's life...

...maybe even your own?

...give my good friend Thomas Hall a call, he is our Executive Director at 979-0791...and tell him that you would like to "lend Sam a hand"...

...let's do good things!

Onward and Upward,

Jeff Fisher

Co-founder

Project-ECHO

VERY....HAPPY...

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:19:00 GMT

...Last night at the Park Theatre, our gracious host Erick Casselman (great venue! call 295-7981 and go down and see for yourself), was forced to set up every last temporary seat he had in the building to seat the standing room only crowd of well over 250++ECHO and More than Shoes supporters for Canada's only screening of HAPPY, a documentary.

...After 90 minutes most everyone left with wide eyes and HAPPY hearts...and ECHO was thrilled to leave with a TRUCK-FULL of new childrens' WINTER boots for Sam's Christmas....

This did not happen without a lot of work and there are many thank you's in order...

...a very special thank you to Terry Smith from CARS, for sponsoring such a great evening...

...to Blue Bomber Obby Khan for being our Master of Ceremonies for the night...

...to the lovely Wendy Erlanger from More than Shoes for partnering up on this one

...and to the 250+ people who came out to make this a VERY HAPPY DAY!

...and while talking about HEROIC efforts...

...For over 8 years now, one gentleman has stepped up year after year in support of Sam's Christmas...

...and with each passing year his efforts surpass the previous years'...

...his networking, ideas and belief in this project never cease to astound us...

...as I was making my way down to our screening of HAPPY...

...I dropped by ELITE to pick up a banner that was just used in a sale at Cabela's arranged by this friend of Sam's Christmas..

...along with the banner being returned, we were also presented with a donation of $ 3500.00 from Cabela's Winnipeg- year end sale...

...to say that we are ecstatic by this type of support would be an understatement.

...to say that we are pleased to have a person with this tireless vision as part of ECHO couldn't be more true

...to say that we have a man like ROB CROWLEY as one of our friends.... is an honor.

From all of us at Project-ECHO...thank you.

Do good things,

Your friends at Project-ECHO

HAPPY

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:33:00 GMT

Tonight at 7:30...

"HAPPY", a documentary....presented by CARS, Project-ECHO and More than Shoes...

The PARK THEATRE @ 698 Osbourne is the place to be.

We are oversold for tonight's screening and expecting up to 300 people!

Admission is $ 50.00 or $ 10.00 and a pair of NEW WINTER BOOTS (for a child)!

These boots will be then be given to all of the participating youngsters in Project-ECHO's Christmas Project...

Sam's Christmas!!!

It will be the place to be, hosted by Winnipeg Blue Bomber Obby Khan....come on out.

The MORE the MERRIER!

Come on Winnipeg, let's do good things!

Your friends at Project-ECHO

Onward and Upward

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:40:00 GMT

...There has been a lot happen in the past few months in Winnipeg and the world of ECHO
...To keep it short and sweet...
...many, many GREAT people have seen just what ECHO has been up to...and jumped in to help...

...the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, a local charity..."MORE THAN SHOES" and ECHO teamed up for a shoe drive that rustled up HUNDREDS of new pairs of shoes for inner-city youngsters heading back to school this fall!!!

AND AS you will see the gracious folks at WEBIDIOTZ, lead by their fearless leader Neil Patel have constructed a new website that will be able to allow us to do all of the things we have always wanted to do...MAKE WINNIPEG A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE...

As you may remember from last year the late fall and early winter is an especially busy time for Project-ECHO as we prepare for our ANNUAL Christmas Project...SAM'S CHRISTMAS...

...Work has already begun on ECHO favorite as we have set our sights just a shade higher this year...
...Last year, you may remember, SAM's CHRISTMAS provided 20 inner-city families with coats, boots, hot turkey dinners with all of the trimmings, computers, personal gifts, wreaths...and everything you probably had a kid around your home...

...this year we are SHOOTING for the STARS...with 100 FAMILIES!!!!

...Yes this is a lofty goal...AND YES, we CAN dot it!!!

...this is how we are going to start to make it happen...

November 9th at the PARK Theatre- Project-ECHO and local charity MORE THAN SHOES...have teamed up to show CANADA'S ONLY SCREENING of "HAPPY" a Documentary...hosted by Blue Bomber OBBY KHAN, 300 of our closest friends are coming down with 300 NEW PAIRS OF WINTER Boots to donate to this Year's SAM'S Christmas...

November 28- December 2, 2011- the 4 Annual Pros vs Joes at Sturgeon Heights High School...hosted by the incomparable Deb Woods, local students get to test their steel against current CFL and NHL players in front of their peers...this is not just for bragging rights...it is for something more important than that!!! SAM'S CHRISTMAS!!!...last year thousands of dollars of donations and food items came flooding in through this great event....we expect nothing less from this year's special guests as pro athletes...stay tuned...

Last year the generosity of literally thousands of people made Sam's Christmas a reality...
Last year was something special...this year...WE ARE EXPECTING A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!!

If you or your school/ workplace would like more information on how YOU can provide something special to someone special...contact our Director- Thomas Hall at 979-0791.

Let's do good things.
All of your friends at Project-ECHO,
Jeff Fisher
Project-ECHO, co-founder and Director

spread the word

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:15:00 GMT

...As we are looking for GOOD people to help out the Williams family....
...there is no better way to get the word out...than spreading it yourself...

...draft up a quick email...or call a friend...let them know what's happening...
...it will only take 5 minutes out of your day...

...time to do good things...

forward the link...www.project-echo.com....and let the magic happen.

Make a difference,
your friends at Project-ECHO

A call to ACTION...10 CHILDREN LEFT HOMELESS!

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:22:00 GMT

...On Saturday afternoon a single father of 10 children and his family were left homeless after a fire gutted their North End Home...

...today, they are looking for some help...as they lost EVERYTHING.

...10 children ages 4 to 20 years old...are presently sleeping at friends and family until an action plan is put together...

...Please spread the word....as they NEED YOUR HELP...

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1- You can buy some coffee...PROJECT-ECHO'S corporate partner, San Vito Coffee House is donating 4.00 of every bag of coffee purchased to Project-ECHO to help the Williams family...call our DIRECTOR, Thomas Hall at 979-0791 to make your order. All orders can be picked up same-day at ELITE PERFORMANCE CENTERS on Ness Ave. (204.831.6758)

2- You can donate- 100% of all money collected through Project-ECHO goes to the cause. With our operating fees covered privately, you can be assured that every penny will reach the Williams family. Contact our DIRECTOR: Thomas Hall at 979-0791...or donate directly through our PAY-PALL ACCOUNT!!!

3- Clothing- the children are basically split 50-50 boys/girls...if you have new, gently used clothing, boots and jackets, please CONTACT: Thomas Hall at 979-0791 for drop-off details.

4- SPREAD THE WORD...IF YOU ARE READING THIS EMAIL, PLEASE FORWARD THE blog, ADDRESS OR INFORMATION TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER....numbers count here folks...

Imagine as you read this blog, that you and your whole family, just lost everything...
Let's make this better for this family...and along the way discover a little bit about who YOU ARE!

Come on Winnipeg...and hopefully beyond...do good things!

Your pal,
Jeff "fISH" Fisher
CO-founder PROJECT-ECHO

the SPEED of light

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:22:00 GMT

...it can take thousands of years for the light of some bright stars to reach our planet...

...meaning... that even if the star had "burned out" thousands of years ago, the star's light is still traveling to the earth and still being seen by us...

...this past weekend, Project-ECHO's Sam's Christmas provided 20 families with the Christmas of a lifetime...with literally thousands of people involved at some level to make this happen...it was truly amazing to see people helping people...braving -25 temperatures...and still having smiles on their faces and hearing their laughter cutting through the cold around the delivery caravan...

...it has been 9 years since my grandfather Sam passed away....he was truly a bright star in my life...and this weekend....his light still shone brightly and helped to touch the lives of many through YOUR efforts...

For all of you who have been part of Sam's Christmas...thank you for taking the time and making the effort to be part of something truly special....for so many people.

Happy Holidays.
fISH

Here it is folks....SAM'S CHRISTMAS

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:22:00 GMT

...With only a couple of days of organizing and preparations in front of us...
...we have nearly accomplished what we set out to do...

To provide 20 families with more than just a hamper this Christmas...

...and with the help of approximately 2500 people...(including schools, organizations and individual effort) we are very pleased to be have Santa (Obby Khan, Matt Harper, Big-MO and Thomas Hall) deliver the following items this weekend...

HOT TURKEY DINNERS with all of the sides
New Coats, Mitts, Toques, Boots, and Scarves
Non-Perishable Hampers
Eggs/ Cheese/ Milk
Desk-top computers
Candy Canes, Boxes of Chocolates and Baking
New Pajamas and Blankets for all
Baby items- diapers, formula, clothing
Books
Personal grooming items
Individual personal gifts for all children and adults alike....

...there are no words to describe just what has transpired over the past 6 weeks...
...to say it has been magic, is not even close...
...a thank you to all does not come close to be able to express our gratitude...

...I do know however, that as these hampers are delivered to the 20 families this weekend, close to 100 people's lives will be changed...maybe just for the holiday season....but maybe forever...due to your actions and kindness...

Happy Holidays,
From your friends at Project-ECHO

Joes vs Pros

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:22:00 GMT

...What a great day !...

...The fine people at College Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, lead by their fearless leader, Deb Woods, have pulled together and put on a Joes vs Pros contest....

...loosely based on the popular TV show- today's pros....Blue Bombers, Obby Khan and Doug Brown with guest announcer former WWF Superstar Don Callis...aka Cyrus...put on a show, competing against student athletes in athletic events and raising money and food donations for Sam's Christmas....

...with close to 300 students in attendance...the "show" couldn't have been more of a success...with great athletes (both pros and joes)...as well as the many media outlets down covering the event helped raise awareness for this great cause....

...and all of this because PEOPLE WANT TO DO GOOD THINGS...TRULY AMAZING....

....Thank you to....Sturgeon Heights Staff and Students, Obby Khan, Doug Brown, all of the media outlets who came down to cover the event....and most importantly a good friend, Deb Woods...

....Deb, your kindness, vision and energy are truly a gift to us all...thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many people....

...today I am going to leave you with this quote....(part of Thomas Hall's acceptance speech for the 2010 CIS Russ Jackson Award)...

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. For indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

To all of you who are putting energy into making this city a better place,
Namaste,
fISH and the rest of your friends at Project-Echo.

kindness and creating an ECHO

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:22:00 GMT

...if you leaf through the morning's paper...you may not find many examples of really good things happening...

...crime...scandal...reality tv...sometimes you may wonder where all of this is going?

...time to change it...and it starts here!

...YOU CAN change it with YOUR own actions..BUT YOU TRULY HAVE TO WANT TO...

...don't just talk about it and wait for someone else to do it...YOU HAVE TO...

...Stop being a "passenger" and take the "driver's seat" in your world...and start the ECHO....

...take just 2 minutes....write up a quick email, send AN ECHO to all of your "peeps"....get the message out there!

...it is about letting people that it is easier than you can imagine...it is not only about giving, but also about making choices...easy choices that can really make a difference...

...so, if you could be so KIND...please spread the ECHO word- through email, sending our link or even ol' fashioned word of mouth... YOU can make good things happen....

...so spread the word...how much easier can it be?....leave the rest up to us!

DO GOOD THINGS...
from all of your friends at PROJECT-ECHO.

3 weeks to go...time to be a HERO...

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:12:00 GMT

...HEROES are made and not born....whether you rescue someone from a building engulfed in flame...OR...

...simply give of your time, effort or a donation...a HERO comes in many forms...

...with Sam's Christmas is only 3 weeks away....a few items still needed for the hampers and we are looking to really knock it out of the park for these families...

...So let's get into the Holiday Spirit and be a HERO...IT IS TIME TO CHANGE SOMEONE'S LIFE...and show them that THEIR world can be a GREAT place filled with kindness, generosity and people that care...

Become a part of something GREAT and be a HERO this Holiday Season,

from all of your friends at Project-ECHO.
Do good things,
fISH