Donor Spotlight: Shamir Ladhani
Image: Shamir and his daughter, Ambreena, who is a Distress Centre volunteer.
Shamir has donated monthly to Distress Centre since 2012. He was first introduced to our agency when a friend invited him to Lend An Ear, Distress Centre’s annual fundraising event, in 2012. He signed up as a monthly donor at the event and still attends Lend An Ear as often as his schedule allows. Shamir also has provided training to our crisis and volunteer programs, been a speaker at a volunteer event, and continues to give of his time, talent and treasure in a variety of ways.
We asked him a few questions to get to know him better. Check out his answers.
What inspired you to donate to Distress Centre?
Shamir: I believe in the adage that when you give freely with an open heart, you experience inner transformation. Distress Centre gives me the opportunity to experience inner transformation and for that I am grateful to all volunteers and staff that serve under its banner.
Is there a Distress Centre program that is special to you?
Shamir: The volunteer program is one that I truly appreciate and is close to my heart. My daughter is a volunteer. I remember talking to some volunteers during a Distress Centre event and I asked them: “What inspires you to serve in this way?” The response I received was: “I love helping others and I want to do this as a career.” Distress Centre provides volunteers an opportunity to develop much needed skills to serve the wider community.
Shamir: The DC staff and volunteers are the true heroes here and I truly appreciate all they do and continue to do to help elevate individuals when they need it the most.
If you were talking to someone else about donating to Distress Centre, what would you tell them?
Shamir: I’d say to them firstly, that they should volunteer. If that seems challenging or difficult, then the easier path is to give a little so that it enables others to take up this mantle to serve.
Thank you Shamir! We’re so grateful for your commitment to Distress Centre!
If you want to support Distress Centre, make a donation or apply to volunteer.
