The Power of the Dare

Ever since our days in elementary school, we’ve been aware of the power of the dare. Whenever we wanted to test our limits or see if someone would step out of their comfort zone, a dare was the way to get it done. We’ve witnessed the viral power of a dare this summer with a very popular social media charity campaign and this in turn has created a movement of sorts. We’ve learned that as a single entity, we can do good – but as a group – we can make a huge difference. All it takes it a dare to get the ball rolling.

Research has shown that one of the main reasons people decide to give is simply because someone asked them! Think about it – would you have naturally donated $10 to a charity had a canvas volunteer not come to your door one evening? While we have the best of intentions to do good, we usually have to be asked or reminded to do so. An effective way to ask someone to do something is to dare them! The thought is that essentially daring someone to give or donate with you doubles that giving impact.

Dare2Give by My Giving Moment has taken this idea and created a huge campaign around it. They’re asking Canadians to dare each other to give or donate to double that impact and create an online movement! They’ve created a website to help you, loaded with tons of dares all arranged by category and impact (ranging from small things that can make a huge difference to very large initiatives that can change a life)

I’ve taken on the challenge of the dare and have been daring people in my life to give with me, and have been pleasantly surprised at the results. My first dare was easy – because my sister and I already donate clothing to the Canadian Diabetes Clothesline Program, I simply dared her to meet my fall donation of 3 large bags filled with clothing and household items (she met my dare!)

My second dare was another very simple one. Based on the premise of paying it forward, I texted a friend and told her I was stopping by with coffee and cookies for her and her kids. When she asked what it was for upon my arrival, I simply explained that I was daring her (asking her) to pay it forward by doing something kind to another mom at home with kids (we all know how important those little mid-day pick me ups can be!)

My third dare is one that I actually took on myself with a friend. I have always felt that giving blood is important, but have been entirely too scared to do so. In talking with a family member, we both revealed this desire to give, but fear in having never done it before. And so, we dared each other to do it before the end of this year. While that may seem like nothing to someone who donates often (like my husband!) to me it’s a pretty big deal – and now I have to save face and do it because my family member and I are in a dare to do so (I think she’ll chicken out, though my own legs go weak at the thought!)

The point in all these dares, of course, is to give and pay it forward. It shows us that some of the smallest things can have a big impact, and hopefully my own dares and conversations with others have inspired them to do the same with others. Today, reading this, I hope you’re inspired to click the link and check out MyGivingMoment.ca

In fact, by visiting the site and daring friends, family and colleagues, current givers will have a chance to win for their favourite charity including the grand prize of a television commercial! Details can be found here at Dare2Give!  Contest ends December 14, 2014. Enter your number of dares in the form below for your chance to win!

Although this post has been generously sponsored by Rideau Hall Foundation, the opinions and language are my own, and in no way do they reflect Rideau Hall Foundation.