The 2023 Days of Thanks/Days of Giving

How Canna Advisors Gives Back To The Community

Canna Advisors’ Days of Thanks/Days of Giving continues for a 7th year in 2023 with a mixture of some amazing organizations spanning from social justice work to disaster relief funds. Each year Canna Advisors makes donations on behalf of the employees to the organization of their choosing, giving back to organizations that impact our team. 

Below is more information on those local and national organization and why our team members chose them. 

 

Social Justice Organizations

Last Prisoner Project

Our Director of Human Resources, Michelle Whitmore, once again has opted to donate to The Last Prisoner Project (LPP), a national nonpartisan, nonprofit dedicated to cannabis reform.  Since 2019, LPP’s mission to release all those who were wrongfully jailed for cannabis offenses has been backed by industry leaders, criminal and social justice advocates, policy and education experts, and leaders in social justice and drug policy reform.

Michelle has chosen this organization to receive our donation for the last few years and says the stories she hears from benefit events and the individuals she has connected with have left a profound impact on her and her work in the industry.

Expunge Colorado

VP of Regulatory Operations, Sumer Thomas, has selected Expunge Colorado for a third year in a row. As a volunteer, Sumer has a close connection to this nonprofit that’s dedicated to serving justice impacted people and their communities by providing education, training, consultation and access to pro bono legal services for record sealing of eligible criminal cases in Colorado. Since 2018, the founders of Expunge Colorado have provided and hosted a free, annual record sealing event serving all Coloradans.

Sumer adds, “Having a criminal record has devastating, lifelong consequences that can affect families for multiple generations. Colorado law permits many charges to be removed yet few individuals experience the relief of a sealed record due to the complicated and costly process. Expunge Colorado exists to alleviate the legal and financial burdens put on individuals who want and deserve a fresh start. Record sealing can help restore access to housing, employment, education, public assistance, and voting rights.”

 

Disaster Relief Organizations

Maui Strong Fund

Founding Partner, Diane Czarkowski, has chosen the Maui Strong Fund, a relief fund run by the Hawaii Community Foundation for families and community members affected by the recent wildfire that devastated most of the island.

Diane adds, “We went to Maui in 2019 and LaHaina was one of the places where we spent a lot of time. We loved the friendly community, the beautiful, natural beauty of the outdoors, and the great food! The Maui Strong Fund will support both short term and long term needs of the community. This is my way of giving back to the community that we enjoyed so much!”

Palestine’s Children Relief Fund

Account Manager Bailey Booth has decided to donate to Palestine’s Children Relief Fund (PCRF) to provide urgent relief and medical care to the children of Gaza. The PCRF provides free medical care to children in the Middle East, regardless of their nationality or religion, who do not have access to the care they need. Bailey adds, “Palestinian children need this support more than ever right now.”

 

Medical Research Organizations

Michael J. Fox Foundation

Kenzie Gobillot, Marketing Manager, selected the Michael J. Fox Foundation for the second year in a row. This nonprofit conducts much needed research on the causes and cures of Parkinson’s Disease as well as develops new treatments for those suffering now. Over the past 20 years, Parkinson’s research has grown substantially and the MJFF has only furthered that research, making it one of the top organizations in the world fighting for a cure for PD. 

In 2022, Kenzie’s dad was diagnosed with PD and has been working closely with the foundation to be a part of medical studies and learn more about the research being done. Kenzie adds, “20 years ago, this diagnosis was a death sentence, but with the strides made by MJFF, we’ve been assured we’ll have to endure his dad jokes for many years to come.”

 

Animal Rescue Organizations

Denver Dachshund Rescue

Our Chief of Staff, Sarah Barrett, is sending her donation to the Denver Dachshund Rescue & Transport, which is dedicated to helping dachshunds and small breed dogs find loving homes and families. Since 2013, DDRT has helped over 1,000 dogs out of poor living situations, finding them loving arms and forever families. Sarah has 2 fur babies of her own from this rescue and adds they always need funds for new intakes and medical care.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary

Senior Project Manager, Dalton Valette, has selected The Wild Animal Sanctuary, one of the largest nonprofit sanctuaries in the world dedicated to rescuing and protecting exotic and endangered large carnivores. With 4 locations across the U.S. (3 in Colorado and 1 in Texas), the Sanctuary has tens of thousands of acres of land to focus on rescuing animals from horrific captive situations and rehabilitating them so they can live and roam freely within large natural habitats with others of their own kind. They care for more than 750 lions, tigers, bears, wolves, jaguars, cheetahs, leopards, mountain lions, camels, mustangs and many other species. 

 

Food Security Organizations

Food Bank of Delaware

Bob Wagener, VP of Business Development, will be donating to the Food Bank of Delaware (FBD), a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring hope in the community and providing food all Delawareans. The FBD distributes millions of pounds of food each year through on-site pantries, mobile food pantries and a network of hunger-relief partners throughout the state. With their 5-acre farm in Newark, the FBD is able to provide fresh local produce to the community. Additionally, they offer job training in the areas of food service and warehousing/logistics, nutrition education, financial coaching through Stand By Me and benefits outreach.

Hunger Free Colorado

Our Director of Business Development, Michael Werner, chose Hunger Free Colorado, a food bank and advocacy organization dedicated to servicing undernourished, marginalized communities. Michael adds, I’m very grateful for my home, resources (like Thanksgiving food), and community. It’s always very hard for under-resourced families to enjoy the holiday season, especially if food is hard to come by.”

Veteran Support Organizations

Wounded Warrior Project

Finally, Founding Partner, Jay Czarkowski has opted to support our vets in this holiday season by donating to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Since 2003, this nonprofit has assisted veterans with the transition to civilian life through various programs and services, including mental health services, career counseling, long-term rehabilitative care and advocacy efforts.

The organization serve veterans and service members who served in the military on or after September 11, 2001, and incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound during or after service.

We Need Your Help This Year

Help Us Help a Cannabis Industry Partner

This year, aside from our typical charities, we’d like to extend a helping hand to a fellow industry veteran going through a hard time. Ben Rediger, owner of Cannabis Mergers Group and long-time industry leader has suffered a devastating loss after him and his family experienced a fire in their home just before Thanksgiving. Luckily, the family escaped with their lives, but everything in the home was ruined. 

We are asking our network to lend a helping hand to this family and hard working industry leader. You can check out the Rediger’s GoFundMe, and either donate directly or send much needed supplies and clothes to the family.