We're Here For Ya Day 2023

“Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy”

Yesterday, my amazing partners and I held the 11th annual We’re Here For Ya Day, Edmonton’s largest back-to-school event! Honestly, I think it was the best one yet, even with our struggles with fundraising and the crazy inflation prices we've all been experiencing.

We gave out more than 600 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need. We gave out nearly 2000 food hampers to the families who needed them. And, we did so many haircuts that we lost count! All in all, we gave out approximately $100,000 worth of supplies and services in just 8 hours!

The line-ups were huge from beginning to end. Families literally started camping out the night before (at 11 PM), and more and more trickled in during the wee hours of the night/early morning. When we arrived to set up around 8:30 AM, there was well over a thousand people waiting. It actually broke my heart, but the team and I kept calm and we got to work! 

There was tears, there was smiles, there was hugs, and more importantly, there was LOVE. My partners and I set out to help as many kids and families as we could, and I’m proud to say that we did just that. It was a beautiful display of humanity and caring for each other.

A great big thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible. This list goes on and on, but I’d like to sincerely thank Edmonton's Food Bank, Shadified Salon & Barbershop, No Bull RV, Lovedmonton Chapel, PIPSC-IPFPC, Belmont Sobeys, Northgate Chevrolet Buick GMC, Calvary Community Church, Priority Printing, Edmonton Mama, the Telus Community Ambassadors, and to every single person who donated or supported this event.

Finally, I’d like to use this opportunity to thank God for giving me the strength, motivation, favour, and resources to do this event for the 11th consecutive year — not to take anything away from the generosity of my friends and partners. I just feel like God really had a big hand in this project and I must thank Him for all the support. God is good!

Much love to everyone who came down yesterday. It was an honour to serve you and invest in your life. You are special, you deserve love, and you are never alone. God bless!

- Can Man Dan (Daniel Johnstone)

Thanks to our friends from City News for the coverage! 

#CantStopTheGood #WereHereForYaDay #yeg #GodisLove #LoveOneAnotherAlways #PeopleHelpingPeople #BackToSchool