HCCF 24 HOUR FAST

April 16-17, 2025

WHAT IS THE 24 HOUR FAST & WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE?

WHAT WILL YOU GIVE UP FOR 24 HOURS?

Our faith guides us to help our neighbours in need

“….whatever you do for the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you do for me…” Matthew 25:40

The season of Lent starts on March 5, 2025 – a season for prayer, fasting and giving.

Fasting will connect us to our neighbours who are in need – those who are forced to fast by their poverty.

As a Catholic Community, we are called by Jesus to care for others. At HCCF, we strive to do this by providing financial assistance to students and their families in need – creating Hope, Dignity and Equity so that students can access learning and education without financial barriers to success.

When you choose to fast – whether from your cell phone, social media, caffeine, or something else, you’re connecting to our neighbours in need – those who are forced to fast by their poverty.

Joining our 24-hour fast is an opportunity to help your neighbours in need by raising awareness as well as funds through sponsors.

Struggling HCDSB families need your help to purchase food and other basic necessities, as well as financial assistance to participate fully in their education – for things like trips, team fees, and other learning materials.

We invite schools (students, staff & parents), parishes, and other community groups/individuals to form a team, ask their friends and family to sponsor them, and help a GREAT cause.

JOIN OR DONATE

WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE & HOW?

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

  • Adults or students
  • Fasting from social media / electronics – any age that the school feels is suitable
  • Fasting from food – we recommend adults or possibly some secondary students
  • Fasting from something else – use your discretion on what is suitable
  • Students not participating in the Fast are welcome to participate in other ways if the school chooses. An activity that represents “fasting” for them….your choice.

WHAT ARE YOU BEING ASKED TO DO?

1) Fast from Social Media, Your Cell Phone, Caffeine or Something Else for 24 hours from Wednesday, April 16th to Thursday April 17th, 2025

Notes regarding Fasting from Food

  • Most people will be able to Fast for 24 hours without any side effects
  • Some people probably shouldn’t Fast for 24 hours
    • Children under 12 years or the elderly
    • Pregnant or nursing mothers
    • People with some medical conditions or specific dietary needs
    • If you are unsure, check with your family physician first
  • Listen to your body. Please do not put your health in jeopardy because you have been fasting.
  • Hydrate well – juices with low acidity are good options
  • Choose easy to digest foods to eat after your “Fast” – i.e. breads, pasta, rice

2) Fundraise to help students in need – see “How” below

 

Fundraising Tips For Participants & For Team Captains

WHEN?

April 16th to April 17th, 2025. You choose the 24 hour period – perhaps 7am to 7am, or 1pm to 1pm….any 24 hour period would be fine…you choose

WHERE?

Fast wherever you would like – home, school, work…you choose

HOW?  3 Easy Steps

1) JOIN the “HCCF 24 Hour Fast” through the Canada Helps website

  • Suggested Team Goal = $1,000+. Aim higher if you have many people on your team.
  • Suggested Individual Goal = $150+

2) ASK friends, family and neighbours to sponsor you or to join your team…the more the merrier.

  • Donations online through the Canada Helps website is a very effective way to raise funds, but a paper form HCCF-24Hour Fast Paper Pledge Form is also available.
  • Be sure to make use of personal emails and your social media.
  • Be sure to sponsor yourself first. Others will follow your lead.
  • Break down your goal. If your goal = $150, maybe sponsor yourself for $50, that leaves 10 people at $10 each, or perhaps 5 people at $20 each. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!
  • The #1 reason people sponsored other people….they were asked by someone they knew. Often people get busy and despite their best intentions, forget to sponsor you. Research shows that sending 2 or 3 friendly email reminders will be VERY helpful in meeting your fundraising goals.
  • Charitable tax receipts will be issued directly through the Canada Helps website for online donations, and through the HCCF Office for other donations.
  • Follow the Fundraising Tips For Participants & For Team Captains

3) FAST from Social Media, Your Cell Phone, Caffeine or Something Else on April 16 – April 17th, 2025.

After the “Fast”, send Cheques & Pledge Forms to the HCCF Office:

HCCF, c/o 2333 Headon Forest Drive, Burlington, ON L7M 3X6

Cheques can be made payable to “Halton Catholic Children’s Foundation”

Please do not send cash in the mail. Issue your own personal cheque for the total of the “cash” amounts you have collected, and attach a note with your Pledge sheet indicating which cash donations (name of donor and amount) the cheque is for.

OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s)

  1. I need some help with joining. How do I register?
  2. I need some help with online fundraising. Where can I find Fundraising Tips?
  3. Can I use a Paper Pledge Form as well as the Online Fundraising?
  4. Will I receive a tax receipt for my donation?
    • Yes absolutely.
    • Donations made through the Canada Helps website will receive a tax receipt from Canada Helps
    • Donations made through a paper pledge form will mailed a tax receipt from HCCF. Please indicate “Yes” for a tax receipt on the Paper Pledge Form, and clearly print the full mailing address, including the Unit/Apartment Number and the Postal Code.
  5. Where can I find the “I Joined Because…” poster?
  6. Where can I find the HCCF 24 Hour Fast Poster?
  7. I would like to order a Large Thermometer mounted on foam core to track our team’s fundraising progress. Where can I get one?
  8. Do you have any creative ideas on how to add some excitement & fun to our team’s fundraising efforts?

 

Other Questions?

You can always ask us for help – we would be happy to assist you – email or phone Victoria Craig: craigv@hccf.ca , 905-802-0918

ABOUT THE NEED

THE NEED

The rising interest rates and costs of living have been really challenging for many students & their families.

HCCF has financially assisted over 2172 HCDSB students, since March 2020, with food, clothing & other basic necessities – a HUGE increase in the number of students we would typically help in a similar time frame.

We need the communities help to be able to continue to say “yes” to students in need.

WHY DONATE?

There are few things more important than accessible education. Your gift will help to remove financial barriers to learning, giving students in need the opportunity to succeed in school.

Your generosity makes a significant difference.

Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.

    • The Achievement Gap – An achievement gap can form between low-income students and their peers due to financial barriers to learning.
    • Mental Health Challenges – Social exclusion, shame, anger, stigma, low self-esteem, low confidence and loss of hope are all issues related to student poverty.

Every student needs to have HOPE, DIGNITY & EQUITY.

HELP US TO CONTINUE TO SAY “YES” TO FAMILIES IN NEED

A school shared the following in response to the grocery gift card a family received:

“This family has been struggling for a period of time with meeting basic needs. The latest round of closures was particularly difficult to bear. Both children have particular needs and mom is having difficulty adequately addressing her very different children. She has since been put in touch with social worker to seek help with her own parenting and structuring home life. Having support for things like groceries and toiletries takes something off the list of worries. This financial support allows morn to take a moment to focus on getting help to manage her home life and helping her children to cope with their identified needs.”