Brian Carey and Help Portrait....a picture is worth a thousand words

            
         

    " Help-Portrait is a global movement of  photographers, hairstylists and makeup  artists using their time, tools and expertise to give back to those in need."

 Have you ever commented on a facebook post not  really thinking of what you say? Who knew a little "lol" would lead to finding an amazing group of professionals with one purpose ..to make others feel better about themselves and walk away with the proof in their hands, for some it would be the first time they have ever had a photo taken of themselves.

           I was "lol" shamed into the group by Debbie Lockyer, who convinced me to come along and help with the children at the Janeway for the Christmas event. I had never heard of them but I figured why not help the children and their families create a lasting memory.

         I walked into a room filled with energy and love. I watched the photographers set up their backdrops, take a few practice shots, the printing station all hooked up, the greeting staff at the door, dancing elves,the makeup and hair tables were ready and the room was a buzz with excitement as they awaited the arrival of the children with their families. Some of whom this would be the last family photos they would get done. To see the excitement and smiles on the childrens faces despite being terribly ill , to sense the relief a parent gets as they get to sit for a minute and have someone tend to them .. a few minutes for them all to forget their troubles and just be a family and have a little fun.... a time I wont forget.
 
       The Help Portrait has given the gift of  kindness and a memory to many walks of life

Janeway-4 events New Hope Community Centre-2 events Ronald McDonald House, St Pats Mercy Home, Choices for Youth, Momma Moments The Lantern, The Gathering Place,

                                                           Margeurite Place

I asked Brian why he started Help Portrait
" I wanted to do something for the community and help people who otherwise couldn't afford to get nice photos of themselves and their families. I stayed at it because I got to work with some wonderful people"

Brian Carey, a well known photographer in St.John's is the brain behind "Help Portrait , St.John's"

                                      The only chapter in the Atlantic provinces

                                     https://www.facebook.com/BrianCareyPhoto/

              check out his free download " The Beginner's Guide to Photography

           https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QMF1VoHqpBIyxpGhf7lMfRPVDlStxAno/view

                                    Tina Dean
"When I first started photography I joined the site called Flickr. It was on that site that certain photographers caught my eye. One of them was Brian Carey. I started following Brian Carey on Facebook. Brian posted some photos for an event at The Janeway.  That was my first exposure to Help Portrait. At that time, I was living in central Newfoundland, therefore I couldn't participate.  The smiles of those kids. It was all about those children and their families. A few years later, I was transferred to St John's, Newfoundland. I wasn't even out here a month and I contacted Brian Carey about helping out.  I'm not a portrait photographer. However, I do have great organizational skills. Brian put me on the registration desk.  Thanks to Help Portrait, I met a lot of great people and many of them became my friends.  This Christmas was missing something.... it was missing Help Portrait!!"

Elaine Dunphy  (center)

"Brian Carey created a family with Help Portrait. Through his vision we took photos of young people fighting various health challenges, older people struggling with mental health issues, choices for youth, seniors - the joy that our Help Portrait events brought was palpable. For the time these people were with us - everything else was parked for that few hours. We had families at the Janeway involved with cupcake wars, we dressed as Christmas Elves to help the children (and grown ups) smile. We took a road trip to the funeral home when we lost one of our beautiful young Janeway children. Brian presented some pictures of Help Portrait day to the family that day. It brought bittersweet comfort when hearts were grieving but it captured a beautiful moment in time for the family. Photographers capture the beauty in life.I simply volunteered my time with this group - but it is a sincere highlight in my own life journey.Brian Carey has a heart of gold. He shares his craft and brings light in dark times. "

Debbie Lockyer ( right) "someone asked me and I thought what a great feel good thing to do something to empower someone and actually get to capture the moment"

 Brian created 12 events in 8 years and hopefully in time he will decide to do another.

  This group has a special place in my heart as it was the first time Alyssa and myself volunteered together with a group and after Alyssa was taken from us my daughter Jhessi stepped into her place along side me

"If you are given a gift in life, use that gift to help others"

Here a few of Help Portrait St..John's YouTube videos created by Brian Carey

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/help-portrait-st-john-s-janeway-photoshoot-2014-1.2871202

Dana Klarer..with a "WINK" and a nod

                Most of us  briefly scan profiles, not really paying attention to the stories that lay in the photos contained within ..It is worth your while to stop and pay attention..
                        there are a lot of amazing people doing amazing things out there


          The first time I heard of   Dana was when the Breastless and Beautiful Campaign was getting up and ready. I was contacted by Kathy Pretty see if Alyssa's Attic would have any dresses that they could borrow to do photoshoots with.

         Being a cancer survivor myself  and having  family members who  had been affected themselves with Breast Cancer..I couldn't say no.. and truth be told prom season was winding down and the idea of seeing empty space in my home for a little while was freeing.

        After the message I had to do a little digging to see who was this Dana that was organizing this..was I doing the right thing loaning out the dresses that were intended for prom only?  So I did the only thing I could   ...I creeped her facebook ( as this is today's phone book of sorts  )   and thought hmm, this woman has tattoos and piercings and rides a motorcycle. I wasn't too sure..

        but then stopped dead in my track and remembered, I too have piercings and tattoos lol..
                                                           How quick was I to judge



                                  

                  I met Dana briefly at the calendar launch party but only for a second ..I still had no idea who she was..I actually forget how we began chatting , maybe about collecting bras, maybe just simple conversation, or just a "hey, how are you"  and we joined each others groups..

https://www.facebook.com/breastlessandbeautiful.ca/

After the holidays I had heard of a family that didn't have a Christmas and posted to see if anyone was interested in helping out. Dana jumped in and shared it to her Wink group ( a place to join if you are looking for ways to give back or get involved in community)

https://www.facebook.com/womenintonetworkingkindness/

We both were struggling through the holidays, me with loss of Alyssa and Dana with the loss of her dog but were determined to get this done .It was supposed to be a low key event but there is no such thing with Dana, its like her personality..GO BIG OR GO HOME..

and big it was . 

Dana was waiting in the parking lot, hair done, makeup done  and camera ready to roll (despite feeling under the weather) .

We all left there with misty eyes  and knew we had made a difference.So thank you Dana and your WINK family.

So despite the fact that this mom of 2 own a salon and keeps a busy schedule, she can be found almost anywhere helping others out. So if you think you have no time to volunteer, to make a difference ,it only takes a minute

Ive  heard that Dana has been helping others for awhile  so let me see what I can find...off to Facebook land again

 https://pcsp.ca/article/pcsp-resident-dana-klarer-wins-kubota-cfl-community-hero-challenge-award/

 https://pcsp.ca/wpcontent/uploads/2016/08/pcsp_newsletter_januaryfebruary_2014_webcompressed.pdf


Just Breathe ///
https://issuu.com/metro_canada/docs/20110926_ca_edmonton

Out of the Ashes     helping families evacuating from Fort Mac
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/newfoundland-labrador-helps-fort-mcmurray-evacuees-1.3574595

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/682185795588/?fbclid=IwAR09AaCdEr9__JpqI54FnZPdiY8xXfBu5UvzXjmImQg-kymGD80aXTVxbIM

Others include..
Bellas Secret Garden Calendar

A humanitarian award from "suit yourself" for helping over 500 women get employment

fashion for compassion in Edmonton for 4 years in support of the local Cancer community.

                        http://www.fashioncompassion.ca/the-event.html


Participated in Step..that mentors young adults with disabilities
                        
                           http://www.nlacl.ca/step/



Pedicures for prostitutes in Edmonton

Victim Service Agent for Edmonton police

Vera Perlin Socirty Annual fundraisers

   are just a few ….

  WAY TO GO DANA!

Random Act of Kindness by Greg Noel... making a memory

       One day last winter I received a heartwarming message  from Kerry  who wanted to help a friend (a young father of two who was suffering from terminal cancer ) by surprising them with a family portrait session in their home..to create  a memory to last forever.
       I know how special those memories are as they are all we have left of Alyssa..photos to tell of a moment in time. I couldn't bring myself to do it as I haven't picked up my camera since Alyssa was killed...BUT I knew I had to make this happen. I posted to my facebook looking for one of my photographer friends to see if they might help.. and Greg Noel responded within seconds.

I told Greg the story and he instantly without question offered his services for free  to create this memory for them..one that will last forever as the young father has since passed away.
 With permission from the family here are a few shots of a moment in time captured by kindness

          Thank you Greg for the kindness you showed to this family and for letting me tag along..

                                   Check out some of Greg's amazing photos or book a session
                                                        from his facebook  pages

                                   https://www.facebook.com/gregnoelphotography/

                                     https://www.facebook.com/dogsofnewfoundland

Melinda Myers ....Pajamas for Kids Labrador West

   If you are looking for kind hearts  that keep others warm and cozy in Newfoundland , they aren't  very difficult to find , you don't have to look far. I stumbled upon this story . 

This is Melinda Myers and she collects pajamas for the children in Labrador West.


Why? Doesn't everyone like getting new pjs for the holiday, or anytime of the year for that matter, but not everyone gets to experience that

So, from her public facebook page I snagged this

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/716946258389304/about/


"Do you look forward to getting that new pair of pajamas at Christmas? I know I do & it's a highlight for me every year. The Christmas season is such a warm & cozy time of the year & also a time for helping, sharing & giving. I am reaching out to you, asking you to open your heart to the Christmas spirit & the gift of giving. Not all children in our area are able to enjoy new pajamas at Christmas & it is a heartfelt passion of mine to try to change that. I would love for you to share that same passion with me, help put a smile on some child's face this Christmas by donating a new pair of pajamas. "

So if you live in the area and want to help look her up on facebook and send her a message

Here is the story by Danette Dooley( Nov.24 2018  in the Evening Telegram)

https://www.thetelegram.com/community/sixth-annual-pajamas-for-kids-in-full-swing-262416/

Marsha Drover ...Turn Bell Island Pink Group

                   Marsha Drover is a mom of 2 beautiful children and every year usually at the beginning of December , Marsha goes to a school and finds a family that is in need and starts her planning.Marsha scours the web for the toy of the year and  sells tickets on it. The money that is raised ( most people just donate their money for the cause , not for the chance to win the actual toy.. but don't tell Marsha that .) goes towards making a Christmas to remember for that family.

This year Marsha managed to get ahold of the coveted Poopsie

and from Poopsie came....

Facebook opens many doors to seeing who gives back in their community and I found Marsha was part of a group called "Turn Bell Island Pink"

    https://www.facebook.com/Turn-Bell-Island-Pink-1869687073347016/
 

So I sent her a message asking about this group and here is what she said....

"     We do it to help the community for the most part but for each of us there is a personal connection. For me, I do it in memory of Bentley’s Nan, my Mom’s sister Diane. Both her and their other sister had mastectomies on the same day (Early 2005) For Diane, it was her second and she had three young children... it ended up claiming her life. For Marg, a mother of three children in their 20s, she had a different type and she was in denial and a fighter like you’d never seen. She just wasn’t having it! Marg survived and Diane died in Nov. of 2006. If memory serves me 2006 was the year our group started. I came on a year later because of my Aunts and for my then baby girl (Kaitlyn), in hope of finding a cure. We donated 10k yearly to the Atlantic Chapter of the Breast Cancer Foundation but the rest was used locally. That chapter closed since and now (I believe) it just goes to the foundation in general. "

This amazing group is located on a small Island in Conception Bay, but the community values they possess are larger than life. They raise money by selling tickets on Quilts 50/50 ,flea markets and I'm sure many more events.

"Turn Bell Island Pink "  is helping the people suffering from this disease in their community.  Most of us have been affected by cancer in one way or another so if you see them, dig deep and lend a helping hand

Sweet Smell of Kindness .. RAOK by Susan Taylor

   I only recently for a brief moment met Susan at a walk to support Lymphoma and Leukemia in Bowring Park, we had sent messages back and forth over Facebook but never knew each other. She is always sending kind words of support and encouragement despite the fact that she has some medical issues  .She is always checking in to see how I am, or to update me on Biebers arrival in the mail ( story for a different time..right JUSTIN?).

I posted looking for stories about kindness and didn't have far to look, here is a RAOK from Susan

"Cute story and not to toot my own horn but it made me feel good .
I have to get blood work regularly and the last time I went the lady doing blood work said I love your perfume which oddly enough I had on from the day before . It’s a new kind and I couldn’t remember the name I told her it was something red. So today I went again to do blood work and I was lucky again I got her but this time I had taken a pic of the perfume and also I have these little things called Optimizers I filled it he perfume and gave to her . She was frazzled didn’t know what to say. She was filling up and said what a great start to the New Year.
Sweet hey "

Even though Susan isn't  feeling well she still thinks of others, tries to brighten their day. The holidays were hard for her and yet she thought of me..It was such a heartfelt act of kindness from one mom to another

Heather Gordon ..Snowdogs of Newfoundland .. helping mans best friend

                     THE POWER OF KINDNESS ISNT ALWAYS AIMED AT PEOPLE, 
                   SOMETIMES  ITS  THOSE FURKIDS  THAT NEED A LITTLE LOVE

     I knew Heather Gordon many moons ago as we attended Holy Heart High School, didn't know her well but that has changed thanks to the world of Facebook , where everyone reconnects eventually. I knew some things about her ( her love for tattoos, Platinum Blonde, Pink hair and heaven forbid The New Kids on the Block) but I had no idea of the love she had for dogs, huskys to be exact .  If there is a animal lost I can guarantee Heather has a group started to search, if money is needed for vet bills or rehoming..shes raising it. She has one of the warmest hearts and tries to hide from publicity..sorry Heather, you cant hide now.

I was surprised when she answered the questions I  asked about her group..

Heather Gordon tells all ..

"Snowdogs of Newfoundland & Labrador established in Jan of 2012. Started out as a husky only dog group but grew to be any snowdogs group are welcome. We were only started a few months and some young fella posted he wanted to trade his husky for a guitar so all aboard we came together to raise funds to buy this dog from him. We had guitars offered but he did not want them. Finally we bought him for 300 and we rehomed this furkid in the best home where he still is to this day. We have raise 1500.00 for the janeway, raise enough money to spay and neuter dogs that went to rescues here in town, we raised enough to purchase 6 pups from a not so nice person and we gave them to a few rescue groups to rehome. We have raised enough to get a husky flown from Northern Labrador, to Nova Scotia where he is now adopted into an amazing home, we have raised enough to buy groceries for folks who needed it, we loaded a plane with dog food for strays in Labrador, we raised money to the mud lake dogs that were over come with floods two yrs ago and had to be kept at the vet clinics and SPCA because their homes were flooded, we raised enough to get surgery on a dog who had his acl torn (we did this for three dogs), we bought xmas gifts and supplied turkey dinner and trimmings to a family in need, we raised money to help other dog group members with their dogs in surgery, we saved a little husky who had parvo and because funds ran out he was close to being put to sleep, we got him his blood transfusions he needed and today he is a healthy 3 yr old husky, we have gathered baby supplies together for a single mom who needed them for her new born, we have raise enough money to buy pet oxygen masks for three different fire departments across the island, one being in Goose Bay. We have come together as a group and went out searching for missing dogs, set live traps and have watched the traps overnight just to help get the dogs home. This group consist of close to 4100 folks and they have the kindest hearts i have seen in any groups. Not a lot know about the "Snowdogs of Newfoundland and Labrador " nor know about the kindness this group does daily. We are currently raising funds for a cat who was a rescue and is 12 yrs old and has two growing tumours on his face. This group is simply one of the most amazing kind and caring groups in Facebook Land. "

Town of Happy Valley - Goose Bay
11 October 2018 ·
Public Service Announcement
Information to the Public
Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay Volunteer Fire Department accepts Award from Snowdogs NL

Release Date: October 11, 2018

On Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 "Snowdogs NL" made a donation to the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay Volunteer Fire Department. The group donated 2 Pet Oxygen Masks. Fire Chief Brad Butler notes "The masks will be a great benefit to pets in the event they are involved in a residential fire and suffer smoke inhalation". Fire Chief Butler goes on to say "This donation is both greatly appreciated and very much need, these masks will be a great addition to our Fire & Emergency equipment".

Pictured below is: Captain Vince Rowe and fellow Firefighter Ramsey White accepting the donation from Snowdogs NL rep Brenda Downey.

For more information on Snowdogs NL visit:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/nlsnowdogs/