Humanity prevails

I have no doubt when a school board in the Bronx was searching for their 6th principal in 2 years their profile did not match that of a man named Shmuly. After watching such a heartfelt story about overcoming the odds and accomplishing a feat that defies all logic, you have to ask yourself - How can I impact the lives of young people? This story just proves that with the right tools, dedication and the human heart, every child has a chance to succeed.

enjoy!

A GOLD-en story...

Just a really quick entry today... In case you were doubting if kids are being inspired by what we're seeing transpire out in Vancouver, here's a nice experience I had today that brought a smile to my face.

I was running an after school program and the kids were split up into two teams. When we make teams, I always like to have the kids come up with a creative team name to be used the rest of that session. Each team had 10 seconds to come up with a name that they all agreed with and was chosen in a fair way.

One team took a long time to come up with something, electing instead to be named by me (I named them Silly Monkeys, but I digress). The other team though, chatted for only 3 seconds, turned to me, and shouted with loud enthusiasm "OK we have our team name!" What did they name themselves?

The Bilodeau's.


Go Canada Go! We're all watching and cheering you on...

Olympics 2010 - Go Canada!

posted by: Mitch Zeltzer

The Olympics are finally upon us!

It's time to get hyped up, so get your flags ready, your face paint prepared, and your spirit in full gear, in order to show your colours and support our country's atheletes.  Be sure to follow the olympics at http://www.vancouver2010.com/

On Friday night, Feb. 12, 2010, the opening ceremonies will begin and the Olympic Flame will finally light the Olympic Cauldron in Vancouver.  After over 100 days and travelling 45,000km!!!

We, at Dynamix, are proud to have had the opportunity to play a role in the Olympic Torch Relay.  As many of you already know, Dynamix had been given the privelege of bearing the olympic torch as it passed through Montreal. Coca Cola and RBC selected Dynamix for its positive impact on society and its youth.

So, to get you in the Olympic spirit, we've posted a fun video that documents Allison's experience carrying the torch for Dynamix.  Enjoy!

Haiti - One way to help right here in Canada

With each passing day, we are hearing and seeing one horrific story after another in Haiti. We, at Dynamix, have been trying to think of practical ways we can help. Although we can't be there to sort through the rubble and literally pull people back to life, we have realized that we can make a difference. There are many people making their way from Haiti to Canada with nothing but the clothes on their backs, with 90% of them heading to Montreal. Right here in our own community, within our borders, there is a lot we can do to help.

So this is where we reach out to you, we would like to collect as much winter-wear clothing to make refugees from Haiti feel comfortable, safe, warm and at home. Please take the time to find any winter-wear clothing you have that you don't use anymore. You can bring it by our office, in Toronto or Montreal, where we will have a box in the front for your donations (visit the Contact Us section of our website for our address). We will be sending all of your generous donations to to the Haitian Community Centre in Montreal, who will distribute it to those in need. Even a simple hat can make a significant difference in someone’s life.

To learn about other ways you can help/donate, visit our previous blog entry for all the details.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and effort,
The Dynamix Team

Haiti Relief- What you can do to help

I'm sure many of us have spent the last few days glued to our TV's watching the horrible images being shown from Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake.

In case like many people you were wondering what you can do to help, I wanted to provide a few organizations that I've found online that are accepting donations. It is crucial that we get them this money ASAP. This is a country that was in financial ruins and political disarray even before this disaster, and they need our help now more than ever. Today, the Canadian government has generously pledged to match every dollar raised in these efforts (up to $50 million).

The easiest way to donate? As you will see in the list below, you can donate through the Salvation Army with a simple text message. Just text: “Haiti $5 donation” to 45678.

Every single dollar counts.

The Red Cross Donations by phone or online 1-800-418-1111 www.redcross.ca

Doctors Without Borders Donations by phone or online 1-800-982-7903 www.msf.ca

Global Medic Donations by cheque or online 20 Claireport Cres. Unit 9 Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 6P6 www.globalmedic.ca

The Humanitarian Coalition Donations by phone or online (Care, Oxfam and Save the Children) 1-800-464-9154 www.humanitariancoalition.ca

The Salvation Army Donations by phone, text and online 1-800-725-2769 Text: “Haiti $5 donation” to 45678 www.salvationarmy.ca

World Vision Canada Donations by phone or online 1-800-268-5528 www.worldvision.ca

[Source: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2010/01/14/12463206-qmi.html]

'I Gotta Feeling' you're going to love this video...

Last September, Oprah Winfrey opened her 24th season on air with a special concert in downtown Chicago. The Black Eyed Peas performed their hit song "I Gotta Feeling' (if you're not sure what song it is, you will about 5 seconds into the videos below..). But as a special surprise to Oprah, they actually got thousands and thousands of people to participate in what is called a 'Flash Mob Dance'. What is a 'flash mob dance' you ask? Good question. Essentially, imagine a dance as a virus. One person starts it, and it slowly spreads to all surrounding people until everyone is involved in a highly choreographed dance, to the smiles and cheers of those around them. There are now tons of them on Youtube, but I've decided to post one AMAZING one that I recently saw.

Students in a school in Montreal, The Study, banded together to surprise their principal and teachers with their own version of the 'I Gotta Feeling' Flash Mob Dance. What amazed me is the incredible spirit every single student in the school shows in this video. We hear so much about issues in schools like bullying, schoolyard conflicts, misbehaving and disrespectful students and just about a generation that doesn't seem to 'get it'. Well watch this video and tell me if you think these kids 'get it'. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

As a teambuilder by profession, I was humbled to see how hundreds of students can come together as team, for the purpose of school spirit, united simply by a song and dance. The video really shows the amazing power of TEAM.

(by the way, the original Oprah video can be seen below)

(Turn your speakers on and enjoy!)



HAPPY NEW YEAR!!



Original video from Oprah's Season 24 Premiere:

Dynamix's Olympic Experience

As you may have already heard Dynamix has been given the privelege of bearing the olympic torch as it passes through Montreal. Coca Cola and RBC selected Dynamix for its positive impact on society and its youth. We then made the conscious decision to select a Dynamix rep we feel has had an enormous impact on the success of Dynamix. This person being Allison Boothroyd.


Allison over the past several years has been a major contributor to the growth of a social organization that thrives on educating young people how to better co-exist in a fast paced and challenging society.

If you are in the Montreal area, come out and support Allison as she so proudly carrries the torch on behalf of Dynamix for the 2010 Olympic games.

The run will take place on December 10th at 5:30pm near the Mont-Royale lookout.
 
Let the games begin!