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They say it takes twenty-one days to form a habit. In a 21-day time frame, IDRF challenges you to replace some of your bad habits with a few good ones that will benefit someone less fortunate. Keep a record of the money you save during that time and donate the total amount to IDRF when the twenty-one days are up.
To get you thinking, here are a few challenges you and your family can use to get started:
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THE RISE-UP! CHALLENGE (ADULTS)
- Cut Back on Caffeine
Coffee can be very addictive for many people, and as you can imagine the costs add up very quickly. Over a time-span of 21 days, IDRF challenges you to cut-back on caffeine and donate the funds you would have spent on a coffee and donut to IDRF. If you drink several cups of coffee a day, and you simply can’t cut caffeine out of your life, we recommend lowering the amount of coffee you drink to 1 to 2 cups a day, or using a travel mug to bring coffee from home. You will be surprised how quickly these small funds will add up and what difference this small change can make in your health. Imagine the difference your contribution will make in the lives of the less fortunate –especially in the lives of those who make less than a dollar a day.
- Avoid the Vending Machine
An office vending machine can sometimes drain more money from a wallet than a coffee and donut a day; and lets face it, the snacks we buy from vending machines aren’t giving us much health benefits either. Why not buy your snacks and drinks in bulk and bring them to the office? You can donate the money you save to an IDRF project of your choice. Or next time you have a craving for a snack from the vending machine, simply consider where your loonie or toonie can be put to better use –in a multi-million dollar corporation or in a small Pakistan community where your donation sends a child to school? Keep track of the funds you raised and at the end of the 21 day challenge see how much money you raised for the project of your choice.
- Pack a Lunch
Buying lunches is an extra expense that can easily be avoided. Bringing leftovers from last night’s dinner or making a sandwich before you leave home is a quick and easy way to find a little extra cash to contribute to those in need. If you find you are too busy to pack a lunch, you can also try buying the ingredients from a near by grocery store and making your sandwich or salad at work. At the end of the 21 day challenge, see how much lunch money you saved up for the less fortunate.
- Take Public Transportation or Carpool
Finding a parking space can be a hassle and can become quite expensive, especially if you work in a busy city such as Toronto. Taking public transportation to work or around the city is a worry-free way to save a little on your daily commute. Another way to cut your transportation costs is to carpool to and from work with a friend or co-worker. If you are close enough to work, biking can be a way to raise funds by eliminating transportation expenses entirely! Take the challenge and see how much money you can raise for a great cause!
- Use Reusable Packaging
Buying bottles of water or plastic sandwich bags is certainly convenient, but you will find that using a reusable, washable water bottle or Tupperware containers can save a little extra change. The same is true for the juice boxes and foods that go in kids’ lunches. For the environmentally conscious, this is a green way to raise funds!
- Conquer Your Weakness
Everyone has that one food that they can’t resist, whether it’s a sweet treat or a salty snack. Why not set a goal to kick the habit? Every time you have a craving, donate a toonie to the cause of your choice. By the end of the challenge see how many times you were able to resist your temptations, and how much you were able to raise for a worthy cause.
Do you have another great challenge in mind? We want to hear about it! Click here to get in touch with us.
THE RISE-UP! CHALLENGE (TEENS)
- Pack A Lunch And Bring A Drink From Home
As a student, you may spend a lot of your time in the cafeteria or may often venture off to local fast-food stores for lunch. The costs of your lunch, snacks, and drinks can add up quickly and leave you with an empty wallet. Why not challenge yourself to pack a lunch, snack, and drink for school? You can donate your lunch money to the project of your choice to help disadvantaged families in need.
- Cut Back On Junk Food
Junk food can be very addictive, unhealthy, and costly. Why not challenge yourself to cut back on this habit for 21 days and in the mean time raise money for a worthy cause? Every time you have a craving, learn to say “no” and drop a toonie in your donation can. This may not be easy at first, but in the end when you see how much funds you raised to help the less fortunate, you will see your efforts were more than worth it.
- Drop A Bad Habit
As a teenager, you may feel like you have a few bad habits –whether it be your unhealthy eating, lack of motivation to exercise, procrastination with homework, or inappropriate use of language. Why not choose one habit and challenge yourself not only to make a change for the better but also to raise funds for others in need. Every time you catch yourself resorting back to your old habits, drop a toonie in your donation can and remind yourself of why you are looking to change. Surround yourself with friends and family for motivation and support and encourage them to donate to your cause.
- Donate A Portion Of Your Allowance or Paycheck And Get Your Family To Match Your Donation
We can all think of countless things we would like to spend our weekly or monthly allowance on. Unfortunately, teenagers in less developed countries do not have the same opportunity. Many young boys and girls are put to work from a young age to help support the family. For a span of 21 days to 30 days, challenge yourself to give back to the less fortunate. Donate a portion of your allowance or paycheck to the project of your choice and ask your family and friends to either match your donation or contribute to the cause.
Do you have another great challenge in mind? We want to hear about it! Click here to get in touch with us.
- Donate The Toy You Most Want To Buy To Charity
Is there a toy, game, or item your child really wants to buy? Encourage your child to save up and donate the money it takes to buy that toy to charity. Explain to him or her the importance of helping other children in need. If he or she can donate the cost of that toy to a child project, another child can go to school, get the healthcare he or she needs, or can attain proper food and nutrition. Don’t forget to encourage your child along the way by donating to his or her cause!
Do you have another great challenge in mind? We want to hear about it! Click here to get in touch with us.
