Community Sharing Day - Free things for anyone who needs them

Community Sharing Day -   Free Books for all!

The last time I visited Charlottetown, we were just passing by, therefore, I did not have enough time to experience what life is really like on east coast.

This time, I have spent almost two weeks in this historic city, learning about the life and culture of this community and am enjoying it tremendously.




Shoes, Sports Equipments - you name it and it was there !

What  has impressed me most is the sense of community and the caring and generous spirit the people of Charlottetown demonstrate to one another.

The event held last Saturday was an epitome of that spirit. This Community Sharing Day was advertised outside the bulletin board of the Murphy's Community Centre, 200 Richmond Street, for a few weeks and invited local residents to bring their donations to the building for the Community Sharing Day on June 23.


 What was special about this event was that anybody could come in and pick up the donated items for free on that day. What a great and generous idea! Imagine, if you were a single person starting out on your own, or students and newcomers who have just moved in from other places, or someone who just need a few things. Why throw the stuffs to the landfill when your neighbors or someone from the community could reuse them?




 This was one event I had not heard of or experienced myself. Naturally, I went and and personally experienced this special Community Sharing Day.

Free Dishes for anyone who wanted them

All the donations were displayed in the gym with long tables lining around the room and in the middle. Items were grouped together and displayed by categories:  books, dishes, tools, shoes, tv sets, exercise equipment, furniture items such as chairs, tables, even wall units, small appliances, arts and craft items, picture frames etc.

There were tables and tables and it was like a big community garage sale, many people were there, looking and shopping for things they needed or interested them, except it was  All FREE!  Wow, it blew me away!

Free music and entertainment!

In addition to the donated items for anyone who needed and could take for free,  there were a couple of gentlemen playing their musical instruments providing free entertainment in the gym.There was  free haircut service set up in the room across; a few people seated comfortably and waiting patiently for their turn.

Free fitness class!

Outside the community centre, a section of the street was blocked off, so pedestrians could part take in this event without the stress of worrying about the traffic.  There were BBQ stands set up,  free UFit classes for anyone who wanted to join in and have some fun. Not known to be shy, I took advantage of the free class and joined in for a little while.  Many people did come out and enjoyed a day of community sharing. It was an uplifting event and a marvelous community sharing day for the people of Charlottetown!

I really hope that this generous spirit of helping and sharing will spread across Canada and across the globe one day!

R.T. Charlottetown
June 23, 2012