Joy In Motion: The Finish Line
It’s always all about JOY!
“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it… Joy is not made to be a crumb.”
— Mary Oliver, Don’t Hesitate
Ray was a force for Good!
He believed in people's goodness and saw their God-given potential. He loved helping others see what was possible and encouraging them to make life better for others.
He lived with joy, gave with purpose, and kept going until his final day. On that day, the vision for Joyful Living, Joyful Giving became a reality. His hope was that others would carry it forward: choosing who they wanted to be, then letting that shape how they lived and gave.
Joy in Motion put that dream into action.
The invitation was simple: get moving, enjoy the journey, finish strong, and do something intentional to serve others along the way.
Nineteen people said yes.
They walked, ran, cycled, kayaked and more. Across different places and schedules, they brought their energy and determination to one shared purpose.
Together, they put over 13,500 kilometres in the vault, while the campaign raised $16,353 in support of Ally Global and Cycle 5 to Survive.
What a finish! And what a joyful journey getting there.
A wholehearted shout-out to the 19 Movers & Shakers:
Alyssa, Jolene, Des, Alina, Jaana, Eden, Greg, Lisa, Jesse, Doris, Peter, Marlene, Kat, Josh, Russel, Ingrid, Pam, Kate and Angie.
They made time. They kept going. Every kilometre counted, and every person mattered.
Alongside them were the donors, giving and cheering as the team went.
Their generosity carried an encouraging message: “We’ve got this. Keep going!”
They believed in the work of Ally Global and Cycle 5 to Survive, movements that are saving and changing lives. Their gifts helped the good from this journey reach far beyond the kilometres travelled.
Together, participants and donors demonstrated what choosing abundance can look like: noticing what is available to share and putting it to good use. Time, energy, encouragement and resources. Everyone’s capacity was different, but each contribution had a place.
Ray would have loved that. He spent his life seeing possibility in people and encouraging them to act on it.
And then there are the socks!
The smiling Ray woven into them began with the photograph shared here. Doris brought it to an artist in Santo Domingo and asked, “Do you think you can?”
He could. And he did. That caricature has helped carry Ray’s story forward ever since.
Three sock designs are now in the vault, the classics. The fourth edition is here, and this coming week, the new Joy in Motion socks will head out to the participants and donors who made the campaign possible.
Recently, over coffee with Doris, a longtime campaign donor announced that it was time for a new pair. His old socks literally had a hole in them!
Worn, enjoyed and taken along for the journey. Bring on the new ones!
These socks are a colorful thank-you and a reminder of what happens when people say yes to moving with purpose and giving with love.
As the campaign closes, the Foundation celebrates every participant, every donor and everyone who encouraged them along the way.
Ray’s invitation still stands: consider who you want to be, and let that come to life in what you do.
Live joyfully. Give joyfully. Enjoy the journey, finish strong and make life better for someone along the way.
The dream keeps rolling.
With gratitude from the Joyful Living Joyful Giving Foundation.
P.S. Extra socks were ordered! It’s not too late to get a pair and take a little Joy in Motion along on your next adventure. https://www.joyfullivingjoyfulgiving.ca/joyful-giving
