A Holiday Message From Can Man Dan
I/we need help
I’ve been going back and forth on whether to post this or not, but I am unfortunately running out of options and time. It honestly really sucks and it’s kind of embarrassing, but I once again find myself in need of a great deal of help as I just can’t seem to catch a break this year. 2022 has been a financial nightmare for me, both personally and business-wise, and trust me, it ain’t just me feeling this pinch — thousands of Alberta families, children, and seniors have been struggling just as much, if not more. I know this because I’ve been back in the trenches with everyday people since my return as Can Man Dan in June and a lot of people are barely hanging on.
While do-gooders like me try to help (happily so), it has become incredibly hard to provide for people in a way that I’m traditionally used to. Between the harsh economic times, my well-documented mental health struggles which lead to me completely burning out last year, and finally admitting of my private struggles with alcohol to the literal point of me losing everything, I’ve had a heck of a time fundraising/connecting with sponsors, both new and old. Plus, my newfound and public display of faith doesn’t help either, although you’d think it would. To be fair, and only because of God’s grace, I underwent a pretty significant personality change and it kind of freaks people out, haha. In other words, I basically work for Love now and a lot of sponsors are afraid to be connected with anything relating to God — and again, to be completely fair, I get it…
Anyways, a little over a week ago, the Can Man Dan Foundation held its annual AGM and we stumbled upon some unfortunate news. For the first time in our charities history, we are ending our fiscal year in the red (debt). Firstly, this is really nobody’s fault but mine, as the Executive Director I should have been watching our bills and taxes more closely, but everything happens for a reason and I learned a very valuable lesson. As always, I’m incredibly proud of my wonderful team of volunteers… I’d be nothing without them. Secondly, The Oneness Centre, our latest community initiative, costs a little more to run each month than I originally envisioned. While running a faith and wellness centre in downtown Edmonton can be seen as ambitious and costly, please know that over fifty wonderful people have come through our doors since we opened up in late-October to seek mental and/or spiritual help! In other words, our centre is doing its thing and people are finding the courage to take their lives back! God is good!
Unfortunately, I come to you folks at a time-sensitive crossroads. The Can Man Dan Foundation and I desperately come to you today to ask for your financial support this holiday season. As Christmas and 2023 approach, please keep us in your prayers and hearts as you donate and support this holiday season. In full transparency, we find ourselves with roughly $10,000 debt and a near-empty bank account as I type this. We are desperately looking to fundraise $30,000 before January 31st, 2023 — which would pay off our existing financial debts and keep the life-changing programs of The Oneness Centre going well into the Spring of 2023. Keep in mind, all of the programming, teachings, and resources that we offer at The Oneness Centre are always free of charge as we don’t believe in barriers when it comes to mental or spiritual health.
Trust me, folks, I know this isn’t the best news to read, in fact, it really pains me to beg you all for help and money, especially as I feel so fiscally stupid at the moment. I really should’ve been watching our books and spending more closely, but things just kind of took off with this new centre, and more and more people kept showing up asking for help, so I started helping. All I know is that there seems to be a lot of people out there suffering mentally, physically, and/or spiritually right now, so I thought I’d join the good fight and do my part to help, especially as I was recently freed of my addictions and issues with (trigger warning) depression/suicidal tendencies earlier this year. A combination of therapy and faith saved my life and I knew that I needed to pass this gift on to others ASAP! I’ve lost too many friends and family to depression and addiction…
I know times are tough for everyone out there and there’s not a lot of extra money floating around right now, but if you have a few extra bucks to spare this holiday season please consider donating to the Can Man Dan Foundation, we truly need it. You know the work I do, you know the heart that I have, and you know your that hard-earned money will be put to good use — Please consider donating today. As a registered charity with the CRA, we also have the ability to issue tax receipts to you or your business, keep in mind, tax season is coming up!
Helping people ain’t easy, never has been, but for some reason I feel like I can’t give up… not just yet. Help us continue on with our life-changing work this holiday season by donating at www.canmandan.org!
Thank you for your time, support, and love. God bless each and every one of you.
Daniel Johnstone
Executive Director
Can Man Dan Foundation