At Spivo Stick we strive to create an engaging and rewarding community over our various social media platforms. Amassing over 13,000 followers and counting, we are humbled almost on a daily basis by seeing content produced around the globe using Spivo Sticks. We realize how important our community is and how it would not exist without your support, which is exactly why we have pledged to give back to our community in various charitable efforts. 

Recently Spivo Stick was given the privilege to sponsor three Ottawa based community initiatives that have extended reach in supporting even larger communities around the world. Keep reading to see our efforts and how you can get involved! 

Curvy Girls Scoliosis

Did you know that one child in every classroom will be diagnosed with Scoliosis? A common medical condition, Scoliosis effects a person's spinal axis by causing a curvature shaped like S or a C. It's most common in women but can occur in men as well. Without treatment, Scoliosis can begin to affect organs, breathing, and natural posture.

Thankfully, modern medicine has found the ability to fight the condition with physio, bracing, and/or surgery. 

Celebrity fact: Hussain Bolt has Scoliosis. 

Curvy Girls is a network of peer-led support groups that reduces the emotional impact of scoliosis by empowering girls through mutual support and acceptance to become leaders, make healthy lifestyle choices, and improve self-esteem. 

On Saturday, June 11th Curvy Girls hosted a full day event of activities in Ottawa, Ontario to raise awareness and funds for the cause. Although some rain decided to show up, attendance and smiles were still abundant. After a morning of Zumba and a 2 KM walk the CEO of CHEO Hospital gave a keynote speech highlighting the importance of the community coming together for one another.

As an Ottawa based company, Spivo joined in the festivities by donating to the silent auction and helped raise awareness by participating in the walk. 

What a great day! 

To find out more about Curvy Girls and how you can get involved click here.

Make-a-Wish Foundation - Eastern Ontario

On July 9-10 the Kayak Angler's Association of Ottawa (KOAA) will be holding a multi-species fishing tournament with available kayak rentals. The weekend will consist of navigating Ottawa and Gatineau's rich waterways all while trying to catch the largest fish in a kayak. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience a day outside with the joys of a light competition.

The tournament will end with a fundraiser and silent auction of which all proceeds will be donated to Make-a-Wish Foundation. Two Spivo Sticks have been donated so this is great opportunity to purchase a Spivo Stick and have your money going to a wonderful cause. 

To find out more about the KOAA and their tournament click here.

The mission of Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario got started with a little girl's wish for a trip to Walt Disney World^® Resort. Patricia got her wish in 1997. 

Today, more than 5,200 wishes have been granted to children across Canada over the past 30 years. Since 1983, regional Chapters have been established from coast-to-coast in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, London, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

To find out more about the Make-a-Wish Foundation and how you can get involved click here.

Terry Fox Organization 

Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, a community near Vancouver on Canada's west coast. An active teenager involved in many sports, Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres (six inches) above the knee in 1977.

While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients, many of them young children, that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

He would call his journey the Marathon of Hope.

After 18 months and running over 5,000 kilometers (3,107 miles) to prepare, Terry started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 with little fanfare. Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, enthusiasm soon grew, and the money collected along his route began to mount. He ran close to 42 kilometers (26 miles) a day through Canada's Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario. However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometers (3,339 miles), Terry was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age 22.

The Terry Fox Run is a non-competitive event where people get together as individuals, families, and groups to raise money for cancer research in Terry's name. It is a day of celebrating Terry's legacy and helping to keep alive his dream of finding a cure for cancer.

Terry Fox Runs take place in over 9,000 communities across Canada every year and are accessible to anyone with no entry fee, no minimum pledge and a non-competitive atmosphere. Participants can run, walk, blade or bike and most of all have fun while raising funds for cancer research.

This year Spivo Stick has pledged to join in the Ottawa Terry Fox Run and set a goal to raise $1000. 

If you want to join our team (anyone is invited), donate to our goal, or learn more please click here.