Oakwyn Presents: The 2021 Kindness Challenge

For the fourth year running, Oakwyn is dedicating the month of November to our annual Oakwyn Kindness Challenge. The challenge calls on Oakwynites to participate in acts of generosity and goodwill to help spread kindness throughout the city. We hope you’ll join us.

This year, our Kindness Challenge is getting an upgrade as we encourage participants to pursue lasting change in both themselves and the causes they wish to help.

Throughout the month, our Oakwynites will pursue personal and group growth regarding life’s more difficult subjects and knowledge bases in an effort to do good, not just for November, but for many years to come.

Keep your eyes open for our agents’ acts of kindness in and around Vancouver and on social media! #OakwynKindness

At the heart of the Oakwyn Kindness Challenge is our commitment and value to “Put People First”. This core value speaks volumes to the work we do at Oakwyn and the values that shape who we are and what we do.

The Oakwyn Kindness Challenge epitomizes our desire to put people first and participate in making the community a better place. This, and our unwavering commitment to Oakwyn and everything it represents, is helping us transform the industry from the inside out.

As we reflect on this past year, there have been various polarizing situations, which have come to light or resurfaced; affecting you and those you know in some way or another. This year, as part of our annual Oakwyn Kindness Challenge, we want to take it one step further, dig a little deeper, and challenge you to commit to ongoing growth and positive change.

For 3 years, we have used the Oakwyn Kindness Challenge to get into our community and donate our time and money to local charities that need our help. While this has been an invaluable experience, the Oakwyn community is ready to do more.

Acts of charity can only get us so far. We, as a community, recognize that there is important work to be done long-term to the causes close to our hearts. In order to bring about change, we must first do the hard work, educate ourselves, and have hard conversations with people in our community. This year, action and education are the most important elements of Oakwyn’s Kindness Challenge.

The Oakwyn Kindness Challenge kicked off with a great first week!

For week one we totaled 15 Oakwynites who took on the challenge, performing acts of kindness in their communities and committing themselves to ongoing education and awareness on some of the world’s toughest subjects. 15 Oakwynites in one week, and we’re only just getting started!

Amber Ardan’s Story

Amber Ardan is the first featured Oakwynite to take on the Oakwyn Kindness Challenge. Amber chose to dedicate her time and donations to an organization called Raven Trust. The organization raises legal defense funds for the Indigenous people of Canada, so they can defend their rights and the integrity of their land and their culture. Amber will be spending her time learning about 100 amazing individuals who have dedicated their lives to supporting reconciliation, systemic change, and environmental justice.

Watch Amber’s video below and if you’d like to learn more, you can visit their website to see their current campaigns to better support their organization.

Highlights:

• Along with Amber’s inspiring efforts, the following agents also took part in the Oakwyn Kindness Challenge: Jacqueline Adler, Keith Strang, Emily Van Elk, Julia Freeman, Natalie Finkle, Jason Wong, Sid Koshul, Carrie Wertheim, Marlon Murr, Dinah Fast, Amy Green, and Jonathan Lerner.
• Some of the organizations donated to include Rainbow Refugee, Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Alzheimer Society of BC, North Shore Family Service Food Bank, Raven Trust, BC Children’s Hospital, Saint’s Rescue, Yoga Outreach, BC Children’s Hospital, Greater Vancouver Food Bank, North Shore Crisis Services Society, Keat’s Camp, BC SPCA, and REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive.
• You can view all these acts of kindness and more on the Kindness Challenge 2021 highlight reel on our Instagram.

The Oakwyn Kindness continued with another strong week!

For week two we totaled 7 more Oakwynites who took on the challenge, performing acts of kindness in their communities and committing themselves to ongoing education and awareness on some of the world’s toughest subjects. 7 Oakwynites completed their challenges and over 20 Oakwynites were challenged! We’re looking forward to more acts of kindness next week.

Marty Staniforth’s Story

Marty Staniforth is this week’s featured Oakwynite to take on the Oakwyn Kindness Challenge. Marty chose to support Covenant House. Covenant House has been providing support to Vancouver’s homeless youth for over 20 years. They focus on building long-lasting relationships with young people, to help them get back on their feet. Marty has donated money to their Triple match campaign. All donations received before December 31st will be triple matched thanks to the generosity of The Kronier Family, Scotiabank, and an anonymous donor. Every donation helps to provide food, shelter, and clothing to a youth in need.

Watch Marty’s video below and if you’d like to learn more, you can visit their website to donate.

Highlights:

• Along with Marty’s inspiring efforts, the following agents also took part in the Oakwyn Kindness Challenge: Shelley Hird, Jessica Chen, Andrea Mader, Gabriela Martinez, Cara Wong, Robin Bardon.
• Some of the organizations donated to include North Shore Women’s Centre, Dress for Success, SA Foundation, United Way BC – BC Flood Response Fund, Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
• You can view all these acts of kindness and more on the Kindness Challenge 2021 highlight reel on our Instagram.

The Oakwyn Kindness Challenge continued with another strong week and 10 more Oakwynites committing themselves to the challenge.

Jamie Metzner’s Story

Jamie Metzner is this week’s featured Oakwynite to take on the Oakwyn Kindness Challenge. Jamie chose to support Care BC’s Meals on Wheels. Meals on Wheels has provided hot, nutritious meals and warm, friendly visits to people throughout Vancouver and Richmond. Jamie has been volunteering with the organization delivering hot meals and providing company to Vancouver’s seniors. Jamie has committed to continue working with Meals on Wheels into 2022.

Watch Jamie’s video below and if you’d like to learn more, you can visit their website.

You can view the highlights from the week and more on the Kindness Challenge 2021 highlight reel on our Instagram.

The Oakwyn Kindness Challenge finished this week with almost 60 Oakwynites committing themselves to the challenge.

Shauna Ocean’s Story

Shauna Ocean is this week’s featured Oakwynite to take on the Oakwyn Kindness Challenge. Shauna chose to support Mamas for Mamas. Mamas for Mamas is a national organization that supports mothers and caregivers in crisis by providing ongoing support to individuals and families facing various poverty-related struggles. Shauna made a financial contribution to Mamas for Mamas flood relief program, to help those affected by the floods in BC.

Watch Shauna’s video below and if you’d like to learn more, you can visit their website.

You can view the highlights from the whole month at our Kindness Challenge 2021 highlight on our Instagram.

We hope you join us in making this month a valuable experience, and one that helps bring about positive change in yourself and your direct and indirect communities.

Stay tuned for updates from the Oakwyn team and check back in soon to see our ongoing efforts this Oakwyn Kindness Challenge.