Grow Gratitude 2020

The Astonished! annual Fall Fundraising Campaign to expresses both gratitude and commitment!.

Grow Gratitude is the Astonished! Inc. annual Fall Fundraising Campaign. Grow Gratitude raises money to fund the innovative and vital work of Astonished! and shares stories of gratitude. 80% of our annual budget comes from generous donors like you. We invite you to support Astonished! and share your story with us. We are better together! With your help, we are working together with young adults with complex physical disAbilities to reach their dreams, thus creating an innovative and vital expression of social inclusion. All donations of $15 or more receive a charitable tax receipt. The 2020 Grow Gratitude campaign runs from November 1 to December 31.

Our Gratitude Story

2020 began in ways that were familiar to us, then it all changed. The past eight months have been times of challenge, worry, change, and finding new ways, for everyone. We are all learning how to adapt while staying connected and caring as we make our way together in this pandemic. This is especially true for us at Astonished! Many Core Members have been at home unable to go to work or to the University, some have changed where they live, have missed summer camp, have not been able to be with friends in ways that are familiar to them, and some have been isolated from family because of the protocol for their housing. It has not been easy, but we are so impressed with the way the Astonished! staff, Core Members, Board, volunteers, families, and supporters have worked to create new ways of being together. The photos on this page show us before the pandemic and then adapting with Zoom and safe outdoor gatherings. We are grateful for this important work and your support for it.

Your Gratitude Story

We invite you to share your gratitude stories with us. With your permission, your story will become part of the gratitude stories on this page, or if you prefer we will read it with gratitude and keep it private. Please click the envelope below to send your gratitude story to our Interim Manager, Elisa Wong.

To donate online, click here.

Thank you for the opportunity to support your vital service in our community

Catherine Robertson

So inspired by the staff, the supporters, and of course the young dreamers!

Kathryn Buitenhuis

Where do I begin? How to tell a story of 87 years of rewarding work, deep and lasting friendships, good health, and endless opportunities to learn. My gratitude grows daily, and my love of this precious life.

Joan Tinkess

Keep up your amazing and important work!!!

Mary MacFarlane Sefton

Thank you for this great program for such special people.

Bev Birns

So grateful to have Avery, Deb, and Randy in our lives, reminding us to be happy and laugh instead of cry when life is hard. Love Sarah and Todd

Sarah Liskowich

I am grateful for friendships with Rebekah, Ruth, Brenda, and the folks at ASTONISHED! Your creativity makes a difference.

Jayne Whyte

I admire the work and fun of this organization.

Wilma Bell Wessel

May God bless the students, staff and all the people and work of ASTONISHED!

Jeanette and Steve Page

I am happy our granddaughter (Brooklyn Weisgerber) got to work with you as part of her U of R degree. A very worthwhile cause. God bless you as you work with these special people.

Virginia McPhail

I am grateful for organizations like Astonished! who provide quality programming in our community for adults with physical disabilities.

Marianne Boychuk

We are grateful for good health.

Marlene & Keith Schneider

What you do together and how you include so many of us near and far is truly astonishing and amazing.

Jan Van Aertselaer