Make a Difference in the World - it's a cliche, until it's not.

Crystal has been involved in philanthropic work for almost 20 years.  She started out, years ago, with a BIG dream!  In 1994, Crystal and her twin sister cycled across Canada. Riding 7906km on a tandem bike, raising funds and awareness for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
 
Crystal and her twin-sister spent two years planning this Dare To Discover tour in support of their mother, who underwent life-saving heart surgery in 1992. Over $500,000 was raised in this trek across the country!
 
Since 1994 Crystal has raised over 1.4 million dollars for various charities through her creative projects adn products, countless adventures and her many athletic pursuits ~  running marathons, 100km ultra-marathons and competing in 10 (yes - TEN!) Ironman traithlons around the world!  She believes that each of us can make an incredible difference in the world...by simply putting just one foot in front of the other!  

In 2005, Crystal and a colleague, Stephanie Moore, ran 100km in 14 hours, raising funds for Partners in The Horn Of Africa. $10,000 was raised through this fund-raising event - enough funds for 100 families in Ethiopia to start their own businesses (and feed their children)!
 
In 2011, the 6th annual Great Big Run For Africa raised over $30,000! Over the 6 annual events, over $130,000 has been raised for those most in need in Africa.  For information and to donate, please go to www.partnersinthehorn.org
 
In Crystal's many Ironman traithlons, she has raised funds for the Canadian Diabetes Association, Room To Read, a local village in Guatemala (through the Mennonite Central Committee) and many local charities.   True to her style, Crystal walks her talk and inspires others to get to the 'start lines' of their own dreams and goals, through her own aspirations.  Making a difference in the world is a big part of what motivates Crystal and she believes that each of us have incredible gifts and talents within us to share with the world!

Inspired To Give Now is all about making a difference in the world - especially with children. To become a sponsor of our current project, check out the Donate page.
 
Crystal puts it simply, “It’s the purpose of why I’m here... to make a difference in the world.”
 
Through Crystal’s mission to inspire others to discover their passion and share it with the world, this site is dedicated to philanthropic challenges of all sorts. Every year Inspired To Give Now aims to seek out a new beneficiary of its efforts - with a special emphasis on helping children.

Tri-ing for $500,000.00

Crystal Flaman's card reads: Social Entrepreneur.

"I'm a professional speaker, trainer, business coach, and consultant," says Kelowna-based Flaman of Inspiring Success Inc., "but I didn't want to put any of those on my business card. I wanted to put 'social entrepreneur' because it indicates that I'm using my business skills to make a positive change in the world."

From the past 24 speaking, training, consulting, and coaching jobs Flaman has had, she has donated part of her fees - $10,000.00 in total - to the charity Room To Read.

Combined with the $10,000.00 she personally put up to kick-start the effort, Flaman has forwarded $20,000.00 to Room To Read to pay for a school in Tasarou, Nepal, that will house 182 kindergarten to Grade 6 students.

"The school is also almost done. It's so exciting," she said.  "At the end of every speech or job, I mention that a portion of my fee is going toward this school and encourage others to check it out (inspiredtogivenow.com) to see if they are interested in donating too."

Flaman is also using her upcoming participation in an Ironman triathlon as a $500,000.00 fundraiser for Room To Read.  Including the $20,000.00 that's already gone into building the school in Nepal, the total is currently at $100,000.00.

She has been accepted as one of the few athletes sanctioned to use the Ford Ironman World Championships in Hawaii Oct. 11 as a charity fundraiser.  "The organizations liked the Room To Read cause," said Flaman.  Donations to it can be made through the inspiretogivenow.com website.

The fundraising will also get a boost because she will feature in an Outdoor Life Network TV series that is profiling the charity athletes getting ready for the triathlon.

Flamnan is not new to this kind of fundraising. In 1994 she and her twin sister Carla were the first to ride a tandem bike across Canada, raising $500,000.00 for the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation.  They did for their mom, who underwent open heart surgery in 1992.

Flaman, who also owns the Kelowna International Hostel, says everyone can be a social entrepreneur on some level.  "That's why I position myself through my business as a conduit for others to donate," she said.  “Plus my goal is simply to help people become the best they can be. My training on managing change, customer service, teamwork, and leadership are really about people being the best they can for themselves, their co-workers, and their customers."

Such a message is not meant to create workers or bosses, but better people because they realize what they do is important.  That feeling ripples into a good attitude, happy demeanour, and better relationships at work and home.