“We are happiest when we make others happy.” -Chris Brady
Life Leadership members everywhere are giving back to their local communities in order to create a movement of transformational change. Very few companies can proudly feature stories of members who are consistently serving and making a difference in society, but this is exactly what co-founders Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady have always envisioned for the company:
“At Life Leadership, it has always been on our hearts to not only have fun and make money, but to make a difference. Through the years we’ve seen a tremendous impact in the lives of the people who plug in to our information, and also those who build the business with us and become part of our community. For those who choose to build the business consistently and with commitment, there is the possibility of financial freedom. By applying our Financial Fitness suite of products to their daily practices, people can become debt free…”
“…So we provide financial freedom for the few, debt freedom for the many, but what about those for whom both of these are out of reach? I am talking about the significantly underprivileged, handicapped, disenfranchised, etc. If we are to offer freedom across the board, we realized that we must also work to provide what we are calling functional freedom; this means providing the very basics of life, such as food and clean water, safe and secure living facilities, and the ability to read and function in society. To do this, it takes much more than merely donating money by writing a check from a comfortable chair at a desk in air conditioning – it takes time and love. That’s what we mean by LIFE on Life; one person giving with his/her time directly to another/others. It’s not easy. It’s not convenient. It’s just necessary. We are very proud of our many LIFE Members who have already embraced this initiative and have been serving in soup kitchens, working at shelters, teaching literacy, and just plain being available to help those in need. They are the heroes in this story. And we are just getting started!” –Chris Brady (CEO of Life Leadership)
When a group of leaders rally together in common purpose, the impact is immeasurable. This past month, Life Leadership members from Ontario, Canada, set the pace for the LIFE on Life initiative when one of the organizations—orchestrated by Wayne and Raylene MacNamara—volunteered for several events.
“Every 6 months, we plan to organize promotions where we spend an entire month serving and volunteering. This was our first time doing it and everyone loved it; and we were able to help so many people.” -Raylene MacNamara (Life Leadership Member)
From cleaning off graffiti on the streets of Stratford to feeding the homeless on the streets of North Bay, these leaders showed what it means to “…love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). The theme of, “let’s make a difference,” was greatly amplified across the wide variety of events that took place. Check out what these Life Leadership Members participated in and served at during the month of June 2015:
~ St. John’s Christian Nursery School ~
As a non-profit organization licensed by the Ministry of Education, the nursery school participates in the “Raising the Bar on Quality” initiative in the Region of Waterloo Childcare Community. It also acts as a training facility for students attending Conestoga College’s Early Childhood Education program.
Duties: Helped clean up the school after a busy school year.
“This morning, Life Leadership brought their group of volunteers to St. John’s to help us with our end-of-the-year closing duties. We can’t thank them enough. Their gift of time means so much to us and has given us a great head start on shutting the school down for the summer! Many hands do make light work! We can’t thank them enough!” -St. John’s Nursery School
~ Canadian Diabetes Association ~
The Canadian Diabetes Association leads the fight against diabetes by helping those affected live healthy lives, preventing the onset and consequences, and discovering a cure.
Duties: “We collected gently used clothes, furniture, household items and toys and donated them to Value Village in Brantford. Value Village employees then weighed the items and a cheque went to the Diabetes Association. We awarded prizes to the biggest donation, as well as the most unusual, and shared in a pot-luck with all of the participants.” -Tracey Bishop (Life Leadership Member)
~ Hacienda Sarria Market Garden ~
The Hacienda Sarria Market Garden is a project of the Working Centre—a non-profit, community-based, volunteer-inspired venture. The Working Centre organizes its projects into six areas: the Job Search Resource Centre, St. John’s Kitchen, Community Tools, Access to Technology, Affordable Supportive Housing and the Waterloo School for Community Development.
Duties: To get the gardens ready for planting for the following week, weeding, and anything else that needed to be done.
~ Safehaven Farms ~
Safehaven Farms is just that—’A Safehaven’—and provides help and housing to struggling locals who need a hand.
“I don’t think we can put into words how grateful we are for all the work that got done today! The Life Leadership team came in and totally transformed the place!! Greenhouses were cleaned up, lawns were cut and trimmed, rooms were all spiffed up and with all new screens!! Thank you soooo much! You are all amazing!” –The Biemond Family (Safehaven Founders)
~ Feeding the Homeless in North Bay ~
This is a unique outreach opportunity that was advertised on a local Christian radio station and in the local news. It was also publicized throughout local shelters. The coordinated efforts really made a difference for those needing a meal.
“We had 200 hotdogs and 200 hamburgers with all the condiments as well as bottled water for everyone. In under an hour, we served 200 meals. Everyone was so appreciative.” -Tracey Bishop (Life Leadership Member)
~ Stratford Graffiti Clean-Up ~
Life Leadership members identified a need and filled it when they cleaned up the streets of Stratford, Ontario.
“We had an awesome morning with a great team making a difference in our community. We were on a mission to help rid the graffiti and clean the light posts (strip old posters/tape) in Stratford. With the direction of local store owner, Shannon Stewart, we helped make the downtown area a little nicer to look at today! Shannon provided all of the cleaning supplies and ‘Your Local Market Co-op,’ who gave us hot water to venture out with.“ -Carolyn Clark (Life Leadership Member)
~ Sisters of St. Joseph’s Hospitality Centre ~
St Joseph’s hospitality centre is a soup kitchen that is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph and provides meals and friendship to the many that are economically and socially disadvantaged. No one is turned away.
Duties: We cleaned up outside of the building, did some light maintenance and some painting.
“We asked how we could help them and they told us that the building was getting worn and that they didn’t have people to do any up-keep. So the volunteers went in and painted and striped the parking lot, fixed the dumpsters, painted and cleaned the inside of the facility, and unloaded racking, cleaned it out, and put it back. We gave them help where they truly needed it. They serve 350 to 400 people per day with only 37 seats. Over $500 worth of materials were donated, and it was such a great event!” -Raylene MacNamara (Life Leadership Member)
WOW! This is just a small glimpse of how LIFE on Life is starting to change our society. Imagine thousands of people (and eventually millions) across the globe participating regularly in events that model unconditional love and service where it’s needed most. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t want to make a difference in the world. The Life on Life initiative is something everyone can be a part of and to re-state Chris Brady, “we are just getting started!”
Congratulations and thank you to the Life Leadership members in Ontario who worked tirelessly to orchestrate, plan and participate in these events and the MacNamaras for inspiring the community to put it into motion. You’ve set the pace for what is truly possible when a team is unified for a common cause.
Wade Hamblin says
This is an amazing group of people to be partnered with. Thank you Claude & Lana, Wayne & Raylene for putting these events on, we loved serving our community!
Sandra McDonald says
We have the best leaders that anyone could ask for. Thanks so much : )
John Kraft says
It was a great experience. So nice to be able to give to others and have fun at the same time. Hats off to the Life Founders. God Bless
Pat Tefel says
Great Job Everyone! What great examples of how we all can help our community in so many ways.
Your example has inspired many to do the same.
Imelda Román says
Wow, this is awesome! Another great reason to be part of such a great organization as Life Leadership. My heart is overjoyed and excited to go and serve with my team on a LIFE on Life event!
Melissa says
Great job everyone. I’m really excited to learn more about this program at the major.
Chris Brady says
I am blown away at the creativity and initiative at these teams in Canada! Thank you, each and every one of you, for embodying the spirit of what making a difference is all about! It is obvious how much you care.
CB
Sharon Hoffman says
“To whom much is given, much is required.” Kuddos to the Canadian TEAMS for serving and making a difference. This warms my heart!!!
John Lewis says
We definitely had fun! And based on the glowing feedback from the various community leaders, I feel like we were able to make a difference. What a fantastic group of volunteers to work with!
Leah says
This is so beautiful! We always talk about opportunity and abundance thinking…….to see these teams apply that in all these wonderful ways is proof that our value as a community is more powerful than we can know! Thank you Canada for the encouragement to us all!
Raylene MacNamara says
We are so proud of the efforts and accomplishments of everyone who participated in these events. Not only did the work help so many in a variety of ways, what I seen personally as one of the biggest effects was the impact it had on the people volunteering and the feelings and emotions people felt after serving and being a blessing to others. There were many high fives, hugs, pats on the back as well as some tears. It was very impactful overall. Thank you Life Leadership for talking about these things because it truly does take a Leader to take their time out of their lives and give to others!
Venkat Varada says
This is truly amazing! I absolutely love the idea of the bliz! The power of community in THE community. Thank you for serving God’s people right from where you are planted. If you ever wondered how missions work looks like. This is it! Thank you again for setting an amazing example for the rest of us.
–thank you
–venkat
Rico Goncalves says
It was an amazing night to get together and make a difference in so many lives. Across Ontario alone we have no idea the impact that just made in our community. The best part is that this is just the beginning.
The life organization will change the world one person at a time and I’m so proud to be part of this. Thanks Claude and Lana Hamilton, Wayne and Raylene Macnamara and Scott and Cindy for all that you guys do.
One to a million!!!!
Rico Goncalves with Kaizen Fusion
Michelle says
WOW! What an impact LIFE Leadership members made in their community! It’s impressive to think of the ripple effect all of you are making as you use your time, talent, and treasures in such amazing ways.
Christie Marquez says
I felt truly Blessed myself after being able to help out with the clean up of the soup kitchen. Many passers by commented on the good that was being done. I thank God for the blessing of Life Leadership and it’s leaders…
Ugu Nnamani says
I feel overwhelmed reading about how people could be so dedicated in the development of their environment. I want to know how to do that in Nigeria.
Ema Game says
Do you live in Nigeria?
Joseph Keller says
I worked in the hardware building supply and construction industry in the past so I went to them with a list of products needed to get the job done and asked if they could help donate the materials. The response was amazing and before you knew we had everything needed to complete the project in the amount of around $550 to $600 in supplies in a little over a day.
I would like to take this time to thank and show our appreciation to all the local businesses that donated product to our venture at the St Joseph’s hospitality centre in London Ontario.
Thanks to the local community businesses being so willing to help out, they all came together providing the products to help us do something so worthwhile.
In no particular order I would like to thank those that made this possible
Sherwin Williams Paints Wellington Road- Justin Dymond & Scott Thompson
Home Depot London South-Mark Clayton Douglas
Home Depot London East- Montse
Home Hardware Wortley Village- Dave Tuckey
Home Hardware London East – Dave Kirk
Copp’s Buildall London Centre – Carolyn Fletcher
Woollatt Lumber London East – Kelly Swain
Moffatt & Powell Rona Hyde Park – Jason Sim
TSC London East – Rob Tiver
TSC Hyde Park – Brian Malott
Without their help we would not have been able to make this happen.
Together everyone achieves more!
Team work makes the dream work!
Zach Frey says
Thank you, Joseph, for sharing!
Kristen Seidl says
Wow! Awesome! Thank you for sharing all of this!
Greg Bie says
Thank you Joe, for all the hard work you did, going door-to-door, asking so many businesses here in London to help us give back to the community. I couldn’t think of a better guy to put the miles on, and go make some new (and re-visit some old) friends in the community. Keep on flashing that million-dollar smile, brother!
Also, props and thanks to Claude and Lana, and to Wayne and Raylene for all the work they do behind-the-scenes, to give us all a game to play. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
– Greg
Chad Palmer says
Canada! Way to lead from the front, Godspeed.
Marianne Keller says
June 25, 2015 at 10:09 AM
Congratulations to all those who volunteered in their community. I know many lives were touched the work helped so many people in so many ways, but what most of us did not expect is how it affected each and every one of us. Serving and being a blessing to others has given us many blessings in return. Thank you Claude and Lana Hamilton and Wayne and Raylene MacNamara for leading the way.
Dave Chatmon says
It is truly amazing what a community can do!
jim martin says
This is a community that gives back! I am so glad we said yes and got involved with Life because it has improved mine and my families lives.
Aaron Knelse says
What would you do if you never got paid? I would do LIFE LEADERSHIP! So proud of the whole organization and to be part of it.
Eva Knelsen says
Life Leadership has changed my life and I am thrilled that I get to be partnered with such a great organization that truly has a heart to help. We had a blast serving and look forward to being able to donate a lot more time and making a difference in hurting people’s lives. Thank you Wayne and Raylene and Claude and Lana for setting the example for us.
Tina Rasmussen says
Absolutely love the hearts of the Life Community! Way to lead by example and make a difference!
Marlene Hopkins says
When I read all that the Life Leadership groups are accomplishing throughout each community, it is overwhelming to feel the rush of how love works…….When one person helps one more person, the ripple effect continues until it reaches around the world…..this is what the world needs right now……Love one another, through acts of kinkdness.
Christopher Potocnik says
I don’t volunteer as much as i should, unless i’m vol-untold lol. However, since I’ve started in Life Leadership, i can always find myself volunteering to work the seminars, when its our team hosting it. I love helping out the Life community. When i heard about our Promo, I can honestly say I almost shied away from it, but i got to looking at the list. I saw that there was a school that needed help shutting down for the summer, I was all over it because I disliked school, and shutting down the school at the end of any of my days in school were the best, knowing I wouldn’t have to deal with it for a few months. When I arrived my “sanguine” immediately getting my the nickname “Muscle Chris” lol. The eight teachers of the school were so pleased to have a few men helping out to move the bigger stuff, which made things run very smoothly for them. After a short few hours, we had done a big majority of the cleaning, disinfecting, and moving of whatever stuff they asked us to move. One teacher asked me “What made you want to do this?”, my response, ” Never hurts to help out, and I have nothing better to do on a Saturday morning.” In the end we were getting nothing but good reviews. The Life on Life program is going to make huge impacts around the world. Its the best feeling knowing that you have made a difference in others lives. Can’t wait for the next Make a Difference PBO promo.
Kristen Seidl says
Awesome Chris! Thank you so much for your transparency, I am sure you are not alone! I have a feeling LIFE on Life will lead people to fall in love with serving! Thank you for all you did for that school. Blessings!
Suzette says
Giving back to the community in tangible, practical ways is just an awesome display of genuineness. When loving our neighbour is our message we won’t be afraid to roll up our sleeves and immerse ourselves in community service.
Thank you Life Leadership for having that desire to help and making it happen. It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “Determine the thing that can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.”
Julie Stellingwerff says
Giving Back and Making a Difference – that’s what it’s all about.
When we were first introduced to Life Leadership – I fell in love with the goal of the business – ‘to have fun, make money and make a difference.’
Throughout my adult life, with the help of so many, I have volunteered and been paid in an employment setting for local agencies – planning and carrying out community initiatives, fundraisers, and special events. I’ve seen first-hand how these volunteer services are essential and required to assist with countless non-profit groups in local communities; churches, environmental initiatives, children’s charities, health focussed organizations, education-related groups, as well as many other reputable causes. It is important, fulfilling and necessary work; deserving of your time and financial contributions.
I want to extend a huge thank you to the involved leaders of Life Leadership, we are so excited and fired up to see where Life on Life will take the All Grace Outreach charity and Life Leadership business. It is truly a game changer, a way to extend its far reaching, and outstretched arms in a financially transparent and responsible manner. To add to the lengthening list, it really gives folks an additional reason to be proud of, and want to be involved in this amazing business – benefitting, local families, communities, teams and the entire organization.
We are eager to see where Chris Swanson’s tireless efforts will take the All Grace Outreach and Life on Life. On a personal side note: upon reading Chris’s book, “Tinman to Ironman” and listening to many of his CD’s, I mustered up the courage to finally register for a duathalon (running and cycling race), a lifelong goal for both my husband and I. In early June, we fulfilled this dream of competing and finishing this type of race. A special thanks to my husband, a much more seasoned athlete, someone who thrives in this type of environment, for his strength and encouragement. For me, this was not an easy goal, but my huff and puff running style managed to squeak out a finish, with a promise to myself to do better next time and train a little (maybe a lot harder! Lol). Thanks Chris for being such an inspiration to us and countless others. We cannot wait to see where you take the AGO charity!
A special thanks to Claude and Lana Hamilton, Wayne and Raylene MacNamera and all of our local leaders for allowing us the opportunity to help ‘kick this one off.’ You tirelessly lead from the front, are always in the hunt and set an amazing example for us all.
We are truly grateful for the opportunity to serve, to serve, serve and serve some more and this past month, we were a part of the team that cleaned up graffiti in Stratford, Ontario. I feel that this opportunity was really just the tip of the iceberg, a ‘whistle wetting’ experience and one that we hope to duplicate over and over. These types of experiences leave a lasting impression on both the volunteers and recipient organizations. For many, it was another ‘life changing, life leadership experience;’ to help live their legacy, to reach the goal of 1 million people, and to make a positive impact worldwide!
Lyle Haney says
Many thanks to our Leaders in Ontario for showing the way and being the example by making a difference in others lives as well as ourselves !!
David Smale says
It truely was an awesome day in Stratford ON. I wasn’t sure at first if this cleaning graffitti off of walls, benches and street lights was something I wanted to do. Seeing the leaders dig in and get dirty soon turned the task to fun. The best part was seeing peoples faces when they found out we were volunteers not and not ordered to do this by a court was great, Life on life, paying it forward
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