IN Community: Celebrate Love With Casey House This Valentine’s Day

Give a gift that does good in the community and has double the impact…

By Jumol Royes

When you think Valentine’s Day gifts, you probably think sappy greeting cards, a box of decadent chocolates and a dozen red roses. Not that those are bad gifts to give (if you have a serious sweet tooth like I do, you never say no to chocolate), but what if you could give a gift that does good in the community and has the double the impact?

Casey House is running a Valentine’s inspired campaign encouraging supporters to honour someone who holds a special place in their heart or remember a loved one by donating to help ensure holistic care for people living with and at risk of HIV.

Every donation received before the clock strikes midnight on Valentine’s Day, February 14, will be doubled, with Arbor Memorial Foundation generously matching the first $2,500 in donations received.

Opened in 1988 in Toronto at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Casey House is Canada’s first and only hospital for people living with and at risk of HIV. Their inpatient unit features 14 private rooms and a team of dedicated health care professionals providing 24-hour care. There’s also an outpatient program that runs Monday through Friday, as well as an outreach program and drop-in clinic.

But it’s their well-earned reputation for showing the people they support love and compassion that really sets Casey House apart.

“Casey House gave me back my life. Stigma-free care validated me,” shares Mark S., a Casey House client. “I was given health care without judgement, respite with full-time specialized treatment that isn’t available anywhere else.”

So, while you might be tempted to satisfy your craving for something sweet this Valentine’s Day, considering donating to Casey House instead. You’ll feel good knowing that you’re doing good, and you’ll skip the sugar rush.

Click here to donate to Casey House’s Valentine’s Day campaign today.

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JUMOL ROYES is a Toronto-area storyteller, communications strategist and glass-half-full kinda guy. He writes about compassion, community, identity and belonging. His guilty pleasure is watching the Real Housewives. Follow him on Twitter @Jumol and on Instagram @jumolroyes.