Jerad Gallinger.
Parkdale resident Jerad Gallinger, a communications officer with The Stephen Lewis Foundation, dared himself to give back to his community by working odd jobs at small businesses in his neighbourhood. Gallinger hoped to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Dare Campaign, which benefits community organizations turning the tide of AIDS in Africa. Here, Gallinger helps the owner of Frou Frou Vintage by photographing some of the merchandise.
Staff photo/ERIN HATFIELD
When dared to raise money for Aids in Africa, Parkdale resident Jerad Gallinger thought there would be no better way to do so than by giving back to the neighbourhood he calls home.
"I really love living here," he said. "It is the first place that I have lived where I really feel at home."
Gallinger, 27, is a communications officer and graphic designer with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. He is originally from Nova Scotia and has been living in Parkdale at the western edge of Queen Street for the past two years. His neighbours and local business owners have been kind and genuine and Gallinger said they make him feel welcome.
So when given the challenge to dare himself to do something for the Stephen Lewis Foundation Dare Campaign, Gallinger decided to dare himself to do more for his neighbourhood - give back to those businesses who make him feel so welcome, and dive head-first into their work.
"I had been talking for a while about wanting to get more involved in the community and I was thinking about what I was going to do for the Dare Campaign," Gallinger said. "And my partner suggested I volunteer my time in the community and blog about it."
The Stephen Lewis Foundation's Dare Campaign raises funds for community organizations turning the tide of AIDS in Africa by asking ordinary Canadians to dare themselves to do something. For his part Gallinger committed to taking on a second job of sorts. He went to businesses he knows and frequents and asked them if he could volunteer two hours to do tasks of their choosing.
"I am trying to raise money for the Foundation and I feel good about that," Gallinger said. "But I also want to be more involved from here on out and I think this is a pretty good start."
Last week he spent each evening, after his day job, working at stores and shops in Parkdale.
From Monday, Jan. 23, to Monday, Jan. 30 Gallinger volunteered two hours of his time to small local businesses that he knows and loves.
Monday was a bit of a bust. He was supposed to be giving a hand at MoJo Cycle, but that odd job got pushed to Jan. 30.
Tuesday was spent at Parlour Salon, at the foot of Ossington Avenue. He swept floors, cleaned the mirrors and folded towels.
Gallinger spent Wednesday at Jola's Good Catch, stocking shelves, pricing merchandise and ringing people through at the cash register.
Thursday he tried his hand at the art of making pizza at Amico's Pizza, although not for the customers. He made his own pizza at the end of his shift.
"Amico's really left an impression on me," Gallinger said. "They weren't letting me cook anything, but watching the guy in charge of the kitchen at work was so impressive."
Friday afternoon was inventory and photographing the vintage finds at Frou Frou Vintage and, lucky not to get a morning shift, Gallinger spent Saturday afternoon at Poor John's Cafe.
Sunday Gallinger helped out at Benna's Bakery and Deli, a staple in the historically Polish Roncesvalles Village strip.
"All of the business owners, workers and patrons I've spent time with have been incredibly welcoming, without exception," Gallinger said. "I already loved living in Parkdale, and this is just another reason why."
Gallinger has been blogging about his experience and his partner has been photographing and taking video of Gallinger along the way. People can support Gallinger by making a donation, which will go toward grassroots projects working with AIDS in Africa.
It was an eye opener, Gallinger said, mostly because he has been doing work that is new to him and he wouldn't normally be doing at his day-to-day desk job. But also it's the first time he's worked two jobs.
"This is a real taste for me of what it is like for people who have to work two jobs," he said.
He plans to eventually post videos of his experience.
"I don't think this is an end goal. It is something I am doing as a fundraiser. This is me giving back a bit to people who have been generous to me."
You can read about Gallinger's experience and also make donations at http://jeradgallinger.ca; and visit DareCampaign.ca where people can go to sign up and do their own dares in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.