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

Inspired To Give Now started in 2008 as an outlet for Social Entrepreneur Crystal Flaman to express her passion for changing people’s lives for the better.
 
This was not just an idea, but an ideal that reaches back to her family and origin - a natural extension and expression of who she really is, and her desire to make the world a better place.
 
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!

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 2006, the second annual Great Big Run For Africa raised $35,000!
The 3rd annual run held on October 13th, 2006, raised an unprecedented $45,000! If you would like to donate to this charity please go to www.partnersinthehorn.org
 
In 2007, Crystal competed in her 5th Ironman Triathlon, raising funds for the Canadian Diabetes Association in support of her sister, who has diabetes!
 
In 2007, Crystal learned of the charity Room To Read and is currently raising funds to sponsor a village in Central America where a school and library will be built! See www.roomtoread.org or read the book “Leaving Microsoft to Change The World” by John Wood.
 
In 2007, she entered into an Ironman triathlon for the purpose of raising money for the Canadian Diabetes Association, and it was the most fulfilling competition of her life. True to her style, Crystal is tackling an even bigger challenge in 2008: the Ford Ironman World Championship 2008, held in Hawaii. Her goal is not small... to raise $500,000 for Room to Read!

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.