A couple of years ago, I participated in the Five in Five dating campaign for charity. It was getting back to the old-school way of dating (with the aim of having five dates in five weeks via friends’ connections and/or introductions offline) while raising vital funds for organisations helping those in need. Since Five in Five is on hiatus, I’m creating my own version of dating for a cause: Seven Dates in Seven Weeks.
And I need your help.
How?
One: After being somewhat of a yogini in a cave for the last year, including recovering from injury, I’d love to make more meaningful connections. So connect me with and/or introduce me to some authentic, kind-hearted, single men who are somewhere between 40 and their mid-50s. And yes, they would need to be in or near Melbourne. Send your wonderful suggestions (even friends of friends’ suggestions) to me here.
Two: I met with Lesley Porter (founder of The Good Life Farm) for an article that I’ve written for the autumn issue of Yarra Valley & Ranges Country Life magazine. (It’s due to be published in the first week of March 2017.) Lesley’s childhood was nothing short of traumatic. And it’s her remarkable resilience and spirit that saw her create The Good Life Farm’s unique and highly effective “grassroots healing” programs for at-risk youth in Melbourne.
Through animal-based therapy, permaculture and nature, The Good Life Farm helps troubled youth reconnect to themselves and the Earth. It provides them with essential awareness to know there’s another way of being.
Like any not-for-profit organisation, they need funding. In The Good Life Farm’s case, and as per their “grassroots” ethos, they’re a small set-up. They need funding to feed the animals, to improve facilities for the farm and for the programs to support at-risk youth. It’s never-ending.
And, unlike some other causes that are deemed ‘sexy’, at-risk youth are often considered to be someone else’s problem. They’re not.
The environments and/or backgrounds these kids have are wide-ranging. Although I was fortunate to go to great schools and have had some wonderful opportunities, I also had some not so good experiences as a child. Those experiences were by no means okay, yet it still happens to others.
I understand how healing animals and nature can be. I also know what it’s like to want to be seen, heard and valued for who you are, not what someone else wants you to be. Nor is it about shrinking because of others’ fears, insecurities, beliefs, actions, life experiences, and so on.
That’s why, and with your assistance, you can help me raise funds to go towards the fabulous work that Lesley and her team are doing.
Read below for how it all works, including how you can donate and help me reach a target of $700.
How does Seven Dates in Seven Weeks work?
As of February 16 (1 & 6 = 7), and for the following seven weeks (until Friday, 7 April), I’m setting the intention of going on seven dates with some wonderful, single and consciously aware men who live in or near Melbourne.
Now, it could be that I go on seven dates with seven different men, or on more than one date with the same man. It all depends on how the organic nature of it unfolds.
For every date that I go on, I will contribute $25 directly to The Good Life Farm. My aim is to contribute a total of $175 to The Good Life Farm by April 7, 2017.
Please note that dates are not under any obligation to make a donation, although it is appreciated.
What can you do?
Firstly, share this blog post via email or on your social media with those who you think might be suitable dates for me, or others in your network who might know of someone. You can also contact me here.
If you need a tad more insight about me, click here and scroll to the end of the page and Read Eight Random Things About Me.
Secondly, make a donation directly to The Good Life Farm’s donation page.
The fundraising target: I would love to see at least $700 raised by April 7, 2017.
Of course you can elect to donate whatever amount you choose. Everything over $2 is tax deductible.
As I’m doing this independently, and donations are made directly to The Good Life Farm, it would be terrific if you could let me know if you have made a donation, including the amount, by April 7, 2017. I won’t share your name or any details relating to you with anyone else, unless you’re happy for me to do so.
You can even share what you’ve donated in the comments below this post.
Doing this helps me keep track of the donations and I can tally the final figure. I also like to acknowledge those who are supporting me with this.
Above image by Melbourne Skydive Centre.
Remember, everyone deserves to feel connected, appreciated and loved. It’s about being wholeheartedly open to giving and receiving it.
Most of all, it’s about celebrating our individuality and the true essence of who we are.
That’s why I’m asking for your help.
For those of you flying solo, you’re welcome to join me with Seven Dates in Seven Weeks and/or create your own version of dating for a cause.
Thank you for helping make a difference, one date and donation at a time.
Kristin x
Words & Images by Kristin Lee
And, of course, with thanks to the following for making a donation to The Good Life Farm and supporting Seven Dates in Seven Weeks:
Kristin $25 March 1, 2017
Karen $50 March 1, 2017
Mark $25 March 1, 2017
Ona & Syd $50 March 5, 2017
Kim $25 March 11, 2017
Shayne $25 March 14, 2017
Caroline $20 March 16, 2017
JC $50 March 20, 2017
C $25 March 25, 2017
Leonie $20 March 31, 2017
P $25 April 2, 2017
Marcel $60 April 6, 2017
Roly $20 April 7, 2017
Tatia $20 April 7, 2017
Kristin $50 April 7, 2017
$490 raised so far!
Can you help me reach $700?
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Feedback from Date no.1 (for 7 Dates in 7 Weeks for charity): “When I first heard about this, I thought it was a scam. Now that I’ve done it, I realised how great this actually is … and I want to start doing more things for charity. C’mon guys, do this!” Thanks for your honesty, and for clarifying any Chinese whispers, Date no.1 – who also kindly paid for dinner, walked me to my car and made a donation to the The Goodlife Farm. 🙂